OFFICIAL 2013 Training Camp & Preseason: News & Tidbits Thread (1 Viewer)

[Faust]

Browns camp: Another injury on offense

By Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com

BEREA, Ohio -- Here are some news and notes from Monday's practice at Cleveland Browns training camp ...

• With all eyes on Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson returning to practice, the team watched another starter on offense carted off the field Monday. Right guard Shawn Lauvao went down with an ankle injury on 1-on-1 drills after being bull-rushed by defensive tackle Phil Taylor. Coach Rob Chudzinski didn't immediately know the severity of the injury. If there is any consolation, this is at a position where the Browns have depth. Jason Pinkston, a starter last year before a blood clot in his lung sidelined him, would replace Lauvao.

• Richardson was limited in his first practice since Thursday. He was in briefly on goal-line drills, where he was dropped for a loss on a pitch to the left side. Richardson was then held out of the two-minute offense before returning briefly for the 7-on-7 part of practice. Asked whether Richardson would play in Thursday's preseason opener, Chudzinski said, "I have not decided on anything in terms of Thursday night in regards to Trent."

• The Browns have Chris Ogbonnaya listed as the starting fullback on their depth chart, and he certainly has the edge over Owen Marecic. But I thought it was interesting to see the Browns go with Marecic as the lead blocker in the goal-line drills. Chudzinski on Ogbonnaya: "“He’s a very versatile guy. He’s able to play tailback and run the ball. He can play fullback and he can block. He can pass protect and catch passes. He’s a guy that can do a lot of different things. Those types of guys you can find roles for and they can help you win.”

• If the Browns allowed contact on their quarterbacks, Paul Kruger would have had three sacks in the two-minute drill. He repeatedly beat right tackle Mitchell Schwartz before pulling up when he reached quarterback Brandon Weeden. Kruger stood out more than Jabaal Sheard and Barkevious Mingo on Monday.

• Neither Weeden nor Jason Campbell looked sharp in the two-minute drill. They were hesitant to push the ball downfield and instead dropped the ball underneath. Campbell drew offensive coordinator Norv Turner's ire when he missed an open tight end down the middle of the field.

 

[Faust]

Camp Confidential: Green Bay Packers

By Rob Demovsky | ESPN.com

GREEN BAY, Wis. – When the Green Bay Packers won Super Bowl XLV, it was worth wondering whether that might be the beginning of a dynasty.

With a star quarterback in the prime of his career and enough young playmakers on both sides of the ball, talk of multiple titles didn’t seem all that far-fetched.

In the two seasons since quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ Super Bowl MVP-winning performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Feb. 6, 2011, the Packers have put together regular seasons of 15-1 and 11-5 that resulted in a pair of NFC North titles.

But in that same span, they have won only one playoff game -- last season’s wild-card round against a Minnesota Vikings team that had to make the last-minute switch to backup quarterback Joe Webb because injured starter Christian Ponder couldn’t go.

What’s more, in the two playoff losses -- to the New York Giants on Jan. 15, 2012, and to the San Francisco 49ers on Jan. 12, 2013 -- the Packers were, as linebacker A.J. Hawk so bluntly put it this week, “blasted.”

The Packers gave up a combined 82 points in the two playoff losses. The 45-31 loss to the 49ers, who piled up 579 yards of offense, has put Dom Capers’ defense under intense scrutiny heading into this season in large part because 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick made the Packers look completely unprepared for the read-option offense. Kaepernick rushed for 181 yards (the most ever in a game by an NFL quarterback), including a 56-yard touchdown run that broke a 24-24 tie midway through the third quarter.

“We went to the playoffs twice and got blasted,” Hawk said. “We got beat bad. They took the game from us.

“Specifically, as defensive guys, we let our offense down, so that’s something as a defense we need to get some pride back and take it. That’s why I think this whole offseason, if you’ve watched anything, our practices or whatever we’re doing, it’s almost stepped up a notch.”

Capers has spent at least a small portion of almost every training camp practice working against the read-option, using some of what he and his staff learned during their March visit to College Station, Texas, where they met with the Texas A&M coaches to study the read-option.

While Capers has insisted throughout the offseason that his defense’s performance against the 49ers was an anomaly and pointed to the statistical improvement -- to 11th in yards allowed in 2012 after finishing dead last in 2011 -- the lasting image of his unit from last season is them chasing (and almost never catching) Kaepernick.

“We kind of hit the perfect storm there,” Capers said. “We’d made so many strides with so many young players, and it kind of went out the window. Because when you have a game like that, you kind of say, ‘How the hell did that happen?’ It can happen real easy in this league. That offense, the next week went for about 400 [yards], and then in the Super Bowl it was like a track meet after that blackout.”

When it comes to defending that offense, Capers’ defense will be tested early. The Packers open the season at the 49ers and then host the Washington Redskins in Week 2. If Robert Griffin III is back from his knee injury by then, they will face two read-option quarterbacks in as many weeks.

“I think every team right now is working on that. Every defensive coordinator is trying to figure out how to stop this pistol-read option,” Hawk said. “At the same time, offensive coordinators are working on new wrinkles to beat these defenses, so we’ll see. That’s what’s fun. Week 1 and Week 2, we get a nice, big test. We’re looking forward to it.”

Three hot issues

1. Protect the investment.

There’s nothing more important to the Packers than protecting Rodgers, who signed a five-year, $110 million contract extension this offseason. Rodgers was sacked a league-high 51 times last season. Not all of the sacks were the fault of the offensive line; sometimes, Rodgers held the ball too long. Nevertheless, coach Mike McCarthy decided to revamp his front five, moving right tackle Bryan Bulaga and right guard Josh Sitton to the left side. T.J. Lang went from right guard to left, and the right tackle position was declared an open competition that has yet to be decided.

"You say, 'Look, we have to protect the backside of the quarterback, so let’s put the two most accomplished guys to date there,'" offensive line coach James Campen said.

The problem is, one of those two most accomplished players is already a scratch. Bulaga injured a knee during Saturday night’s scrimmage and will miss the entire season.

The jury remains out on whether the line changes will work.

"It’s a progression," Campen said. "I’d say we’re climbing the hill now."

2. Find a running game:

The Packers haven’t had a running back gain 100 yards or more in a regular-season game since Brandon Jackson rushed for 115 against the Redskins on Oct. 10, 2010. Their streak of 43 straight regular-season games without a 100-yard rusher is the longest in the NFL.

It got so bad last season that when opposing defenses often left both safeties deep and dared the Packers to run, they still couldn’t do it. They finished 27th in rushing yards per game using a handful of different backs who either couldn’t stay healthy or didn’t produce.

Enter second-round draft pick Eddie Lacy of Alabama and fourth-round pick Johnathan Franklin of UCLA. They have shared reps with two returners from last season, Alex Green and James Starks. It’s a safe bet Lacy will end up as the starter, but nothing has been decided yet.

“We have great competition," running backs coach Alex Van Pelt said. "The preseason will all work itself out."

3. Jones’ impact:

In April of 2012, general manager Ted Thompson used his first six draft picks on defensive players -- a clear reaction to finishing last in the NFL in yards allowed the previous season. He didn’t go as heavy on defense in this year’s draft but did use his top overall pick on UCLA defensive end Datone Jones.

The hope is that Jones can become a three-down player capable of playing end in Capers’ 3-4 defense and as one of two inside rushers in the nickel and dime packages.

Early returns suggest Jones will provide some immediate help, at least in the sub packages. Through the first week of practice, he has shown well in the one-on-one pass-rushing drill. By subjective count, he has won 10 of his 19 reps in that drill.

“You can see his quickness out there and some of the things that he’s been able to do," defensive line coach Mike Trgovac said. "But some of the mistakes that he makes you don’t see."

Reason for optimism

The Packers have arguably the best quarterback in the league and a trio of receivers capable of getting open and running after the catch. Rodgers’ accuracy (67.7 percent over the past two seasons combined) and ability to take care of the ball (14 interceptions over the past two seasons combined) means the Packers will put up points. If receivers Randall Cobb, James Jones and Jordy Nelson, plus tight end Jermichael Finley, stay healthy, Rodgers has plenty of weapons.

Reason for pessimism

Injuries have hit the Packers hard in two of the past three seasons, and they have already begun to pile up this year. Bulaga's injury could ruin the plans for the offensive line. Two of their top three cornerbacks (Tramon Williams and Casey Hayward) remain sidelined. McCarthy was so concerned about his team’s inability to stay healthy that he examined every aspect of his operation this offseason -- from weight training to nutrition to practice routine. Still, they had 16 players sidelined for their scrimmage on Saturday.

Observation deck

• The Packers stuck with Mason Crosby through a kicking slump last season, when in one stretch he missed 12 out of 24 field goals on the way to a league-low 63.6 percent conversion rate, but they might be running out of patience. Crosby had an abysmal performance in their scrimmage on Saturday night -- missing five of eight kicks -- including two from inside 40 yards. During live-kicking periods so far this summer, Crosby has made just 12 of 19 field goals (63.2 percent). For the first time since 2007, Crosby has competition in camp. Going head-to-head with Crosby, first-year kicker Giorgio Tavecchio has made 16 of 19 (84.2 percent), including six of seven in Saturday’s scrimmage. However, the issue with Tavecchio is leg strength. His longest make so far has been from 53 yards, but he hit the crossbar before it went through.

• Few title contenders probably could remain as such if they lost their starting quarterback for any length of time, but the Packers appear especially vulnerable if anything serious happens to Rodgers. The competition between last season’s backup, Graham Harrell, and practice-squader B.J. Coleman hasn’t been decided. Regardless of who wins the job, neither has done anything to make anyone believe the Packers wouldn’t go in the tank if they lost Rodgers. Perhaps that is why the Packers decided to bring in veteran Vince Young for a workout on Monday.

• M.D. Jennings and Jerron McMillian have been taking turns playing the safety spot next to Morgan Burnett, but no starter has been named yet. Regardless of who wins the job, both Jennings and McMillian will play. Jennings appears better suited to playing deep zone coverage, while McMillian looks better closer to the line of scrimmage.

• Don’t be surprised if rookie fourth-round pick David Bakhtiari ends up as the starting right tackle if Marshall Newhouse falters. Bakhtiari has begun to get more work reps with the starters.

• Second-year defensive tackle Mike Daniels might be the most improved player on the roster. He has been a major force in the pass-rushing drills.

• Backup receiver Jeremy Ross might make it possible for the Packers to take Cobb off kick-return duties and concentrate solely on receiver. Ross had a 49-yard kickoff return in Saturday’s scrimmage and has had no issues catching kickoffs or punts.

• The Packers have a history of keeping an undrafted free agent or two on their 53-man roster, and the best candidate this season looks like outside linebacker Andy Mulumba of Eastern Michigan.

 

[Faust]

Top 25 AFC position battles: Who's winning?

By Gregg Rosenthal

Around The League Editor

Before training camp started, we broke down the Top 25 Position Battles in the NFC and the AFC. With the final day of NFL Network's "Inside Training Camp Live" taking place Tuesday, it's a good time to check on how things are shaking out so far in the AFC.

25. Kicker battles!

Miami Dolphins rookie Caleb Sturgis got over an early injury, so he should be the favorite over incumbent Dan Carpenter. ... In Cleveland, Brandon Bogotay and Shayne Graham are in a dead heat. Excitement is building throughout the nation. ... Rian Lindell has been more accurate than rookie Dustin Hopkins early in Buffalo.

24. New York Jets tight end: Kellen Winslow vs. Jeff Cumberland

Cumby, Dan Hanzus' favorite player, remains listed as the team's starter. The Jets seem to know that limiting Winslow's snaps is their only chance to keep him healthy.

23. Baltimore Ravens No. 3 wide receiver: Tandon Doss vs. Deonte Thompson vs. ...

We liked Aaron Mellette as a sleeper, but he's listed as a fifth-stringer. (Although Mellette got some time with the first team Tuesday.) Thompson has stood out during practices and practiced plenty with the first team. He's a clear leader early and someone to watch.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers No. 3 wide receiver: Markus Wheaton vs. Jerricho Cotchery vs. Plaxico Burress

Burress looks like the No. 5 receiver at best. Wheaton and Cotchery are competing for snaps in the slot. Wheaton has proven to be a quick study and is exceptionally fast. We like his chances to win major snaps.

21. Jacksonville Jaguars cornerbacks

Journeyman Alan Ball and rookie third-round draft pick Dwayne Gratz are listed as the the starters, just like they were to start camp. Gratz has impressed the coaching staff, but they don't have a lot of choices.

20. Cincinnati Bengals No. 2 wide receiver: Mohamed Sanu vs. Brandon Tate vs. Marvin Jones

Andrew Hawkins could be out for a long time because of his ankle injury, so there are snaps open in the slot. Sanu is the starter, but Jones has reportedly stood out more in practices. Tate might not even make the team.

19. Baltimore Ravens cornerback: Jimmy Smith vs. Corey Graham

This one remains too close to call, although the team's official website reports Graham is probably playing too well to lose his job. Lardarius Webb looks like he'll be healthy enough to start. This could be a team strength for the Ravens.

18. Indianapolis Colts wide receiver: T.Y. Hilton vs. Darrius Heyward-Bey

Shocker: Heyward-Bey is hurt again. (This time it's a knee sprain.) Hilton is one of our favorite breakout choices. He's been practicing on the outside and in the slot; DHB's injury might open up the No. 2 job.

17. Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver: Jon Baldwin vs. Donnie Avery

Baldwin has been a camp hero for the second consecutive year and looks headed for a starting job. Avery was listed as a backup on the first depth chart.

16. Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker: Arthur Brown vs. Jameel McClain vs. Daryl Smith

McClain is out indefinitely with a neck injury. Smith and Brown should start, unless Josh Bynes someone pulls off a big surprise.

15. Patriots tight ends

Jake Ballard might not even make the team as he struggles to recover from his serious knee injury. Daniel Fells is probably the No. 1 tight end in the clubhouse, but undrafted rookie Zach Sudfeld is practicing a lot with the starters. Sudfeld could wind up starting.

14. Patriots wide receivers

Rookies Josh Boyce, Aaron Dobson, and impressive undrafted free agent Kenbrell Thompkins might all wind up playing meaningful snaps for the Patriots. Julian Edelman is back healthy, which could mean Michael Jenkins doesn't even make the team. Thompkins particularly has opened eyes. (He was one of our most underrated camp storylines on the ATL Podcast this week.)

13. Dolphins defensive end: Dion Jordan vs. Olivier Vernon vs. Jared Odrick

Jordan is being primarily used as a situational pass rusher. He's over his shoulder injury and coming along well. Vernon has really stood out; the Dolphins have high hopes for him. Odrick might primarily play on the inside.

12. San Diego Chargers wide receiver battle royale

Vincent Brown missed a week of practice, but he's back now and still listed ahead of $5 million third-teamer Robert Meachem. Danario Alexander is listed as the starter opposite Malcom Floyd. We haven't heard a ton about rookie Keenan Allen. This battle is still wide open.

11. Cincinnati Bengals cornerback: Dre Kirkpatrick fighting uphill

Last year's first-round pick is healthy, but he's fully expected to remain behind Terence Newman, Leon Hall and Adam "Pacman" Jones on the depth chart. Being a No. 4 cornerback almost is more worrisome than being hurt.

10. Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker: Bjoern Werner vs. Erik Walden

Werner primarily is lining up as the backup behind Robert Mathis. It looks like Werner will be a sub-package player, with Walden in the starting job. Things could change.

9. Kansas City Chiefs cornerback: Dunta Robinson vs. Sean Smith

Smith signed a big contract as a free agent and has overtaken Robinson on the depth chart. Both players are going to be on the field plenty, but Robinson's status as an organized team activity starter was a nod to his veteran status.

8. Indianapolis Colts running back: Ahmad Bradshaw vs. Vick Ballard

Bradshaw remains on the active/PUP list, which isn't a great sign as he recovers from his foot injury. He might not play in the preseason. This is looking like a running back committee, with Bradshaw possibly starting the year as a backup.

7. Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Jabaal Sheard vs. Barkevious Mingo

Sheard and Mingo reportedly are both enjoying great camps. If that continues, Mingo should remain a backup that plays a ton on passing downs like Bruce Irvin last year in Seattle.

6. Jacksonville Jaguars: Blaine Gabbert vs. Chad Henne

Gabbert and Henne are listed as co-starters on the depth chart. There hasn't been a ton of separation during practices; perhaps Henne has the slight edge. The preseason should decide this one.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker: Jason Worilds vs. Jarvis Jones

Jones might beat Pittsburgh's historical tendency to bring rookies along slowly. He's off to a fast start, although Worilds opened camp as the starter.

4. New York Jets quarterback: Mark Sanchez vs. Geno Smith

The tie goes to the rookie, and most practice observers believe that Smith has at least tied Sanchez. (Or out-played him.) We've still got a long way to go in this one.

3. Denver Broncos Running Back: Montee Ball vs. Ronnie Hillman vs. Knowshon Moreno

Ball surprisingly has failed to separate from the pack thus far, although we still like him to win the job. For now, Hillman is in the top spot.

2. Oakland Raiders

Rod Streater is leading the charge of the wide receiver competition thus far. The starting linebacker crew looks like rookie Sio Moore, Nick Roach and Kevin Burnett. Tyler Wilson has fallen all the way to fourth in the quarterback battle, which is a big disappointment. Matt Flynn and Terrelle Pryor have both enjoyed solid camps.

1. Buffalo Bills quarterback: EJ Manuel vs. Kevin Kolb

Manuel hasn't been perfect, but he's made more plays than Kolb in Bills camp. Buffalo's staff can't stop glowing when talking about Manuel. The preseason will be huge, but things are slightly trending toward the rookie.

The Around The League Podcast is now available on iTunes! Click here to listen and subscribe.

 

[Faust]

Foster remains on PUP, won't be rushed

Rotoworld:

Ben Tate (groin) returned to Texans practice Tuesday.
Tate had been sidelined since Friday. Coach Gary Kubiak hasn't ruled Tate out as a starter for Friday's preseason opener, but says it will depend on how he looks on Wednesday. Tate has been given a golden opportunity to put on a show in Arian Foster's (calf, back) absence, but true to form, has yet to take full advantage of it.


Source: Drew Dougherty on Twitter

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Eagles WR Arrelious Benn has been diagnosed with a torn left ACL, and is done for the season.
It's the same ACL Benn tore in 2010. It's a career-clouding injury, as the 2010 second-rounder has provided little, if any, impressive tape during his three-year career. Benn wasn't competing for a starting job in Philadelphia, and was going to need an impressive preseason to even crack the 53-man roster. The chronically-injured wideout turns 25 next month.


Source: Jeff McLane on Twitter

Sources "close to the situation" tell the Cleveland Plain Dealer that Browns RB Montario Hardesty's (hamstring) has a "decent chance" to keep his roster spot if he can get healthy.
The implication being, if final cuts were due this week, Hardesty likely wouldn't make it. The oft-injured fourth-year pro has barely practiced this summer and won't to suit up for Thursday's preseason opener. The Plain Dealer hinted earlier this week that Hardesty is in a direct competition with Brandon Jackson. Newcomer Dion Lewis appears to have already clinched a roster spot.


Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer

Speaking Tuesday, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said TE Ed Dickson (hamstring) will be re-evaluated in a week, but isn't in danger of missing Week 1.
Dickson is now squarely in the "week-to-week" as opposed to "day-to-day," range, but his Week 1 status doesn't appear to be a serious concern. He could easily miss the entire preseason, however. Although Dickson's role is expected to expand in the absence of Dennis Pitta, his past inconsistencies make him hard to like as more than a middle-of-the-road TE2.


Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter

Rashard Mendenhall (knee tendinitis) returned to practice Tuesday.
It's unclear if he'll be ready for Friday's preseason opener. Mendenhall will almost certainly miss further practice time before camp is through, but it's not a particularly big concern. Ryan Williams' (knee) status is far more worrisome. The Cards are going to have an extremely tough time moving the ball on the ground this season.


Source: azcardinals.com

ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reported on NFL Live Tuesday that Michael Vick and Nick Foles are "neck and neck" in the Eagles' QB battle.
Sal Pal added Vick is expected to start the Eagles' preseason opener. Foles outplayed the veteran during OTAs, but Vick has evened the competition with a superior performance in training camp. Per Paolantonio, coach Chip Kelly is unlikely to name a starter before the third week of preseason. Rookie Matt Barkley continues to practice with the threes and is not a serious competitor.

Related: Nick Foles

Nate Washington is listed as a starter on the Titans' "unofficial" preseason depth chart.
In the end, it's just a piece of paper the Titans are required to put out, but should still come across as a message to Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter. The Titans have insisted that Washington remains a big part of their plans, but we'd still expect receiver-needy teams to inquire as to his availability.

Related: Kendall Wright, Justin Hunter

Source: Jim Wyatt on Twitter

Julio Jones (hamstring) was "running routes" and "catching passes" Tuesday.
It's an indication that Jones' "injury" is as minor as possible, and that his absence from Thursday's preseason opener is purely precautionary. Draft Jones as you normally would.


Source: Jay Adams on Twitter

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on NFL Insiders that the Jets are optimistic Santonio Holmes (foot) will not miss the first four games of the season, as Holmes had allegedly told people around him.
"The feeling is he will be back closer to the start of the season than missing four games," Schefter reported. Holmes has finally resumed running, and coach Rex Ryan is now saying he's "confident" the Jets' mercurial No. 1 wideout will be ready for the season opener. Holmes remains a dicey fantasy pick, even in the late rounds of drafts due to the Jets' weak quarterback situation.

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

According to the Kansas City Star, Chiefs coach Andy Reid "has long coveted" Alex Smith, and looked into acquiring him while he was still coaching the Eagles.
The implication being, he really, really likes the guy. The Chiefs have every reason to pump up their new quarterback — OC Doug Pederson has gone as far as to claim he believes Smith is the best quarterback in the NFL — but the reality is, he's only a marginal upgrade on departed signal caller Matt Cassel. Reid is going to have to heavily alter his famously pass-happy system if he hopes to have the same success managing and manipulating Smith that Jim Harbaugh did in San Francisco.


Source: Kansas City Star

Justin Blackmon (groin) remains stowed away on the PUP list.
He's not going to be active for Friday's preseason opener, and is now looking dicey for Jax's second exhibition tilt on August 17. Coach Gus Bradley said Blackmon was "making strides" last Wednesday, but we haven't heard anything on his status since. Between his uneven rookie season, off-the-field issues, suspension and injury, it's been about as poor a start to Blackmon's career as possible.


Source: Florida Times Union

Riley Cooper received reps with the first-team offense in his return to practice on Tuesday.
He's learned his lesson, apparently. Cooper's teammates have appeared mixed — at best — on his quick return, but the punishment for his ugly viral video amounted to little more than a slap on the wrist. Cooper's biggest concern now is his lack of talent. He's battling Russell Shepard and Damaris Johnson for No. 2 duties.


Source: Jeff McLane on Twitter

Eagles' Riley Cooper: I'll live with this forever

Excerpt:

Riley Cooper made a big impact on the field in his return to Philadelphia Eagles practice Tuesday. And it sounds like he's there to stay.

Coach Chip Kelly said Cooper will play in the Eagles' preseason opener if the wide receiver stays healthy all week. Those comments came after Cooper caught three vertical passes during a joint practice with the New England Patriots, a session that NFL.com's Albert Breer says possibly was Cooper's best practice of the year. Michael Vick gave Cooper a hug after one of the big grabs.

 

[Faust]

Tom Brady, Patriots' offense clicking despite turnover

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Mark Sanchez will start the Jets' preseason opener on Friday, with Geno Smith coming off the bench.
Because the Jets don't already know what they have in a player with 62 career starts under his belt. "It's been an even competition," coach Rex Ryan claimed. "It seemed like the natural thing to do." It's obviously an indication that Sanchez is in the lead for the starting job, but could also be a matter of the Jets refusing to coddle Smith the way they did Sanchez as a rookie. Smith will also get reps with the first team. Most indications have Smith leading the "battle." We're beating a dead horse at this point, but it's time for the Jets to move on from their failed franchise quarterback Sanchez.

Related: Geno Smith

Source: Manish Mehta on Twitter

The Times-Picayune says fifth-round WR Kenny Stills is reminiscent of Lance Moore.
Stills has taken advantage of some first-team reps provided by injuries to Marques Colston and Joe Morgan. He's looking "quick and slippery," but still too "raw" to truly compete for No. 3 duties. Much like Moore, Stills can play the Z or slot position in New Orleans' offense.


Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune

Hakeem Nicks (groin) said he's "100 percent" and will practice Tuesday.
Nicks tweaked his groin on July 28 and has been limited to the stationary bike ever since. It was just a Grade 1 strain. Entering a contract year, Nicks says his "career counts" on sustaining health. Battling left knee and right foot issues last year, he posted just 53 catches for 692 yards and three touchdowns.


Source: Ralph Vacchiano on Twitter

Rashad Jennings has been the Raiders' clear-cut No. 2 back through camp.
Rookie Latavius Murray has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury, leaving Jeremy Stewart and Deonte' Williams to pick up the scraps. Jennings projects to hold the backup job into Week 1, but he's not a strong handcuff despite Darren McFadden's injury history. Jennings averaged just 2.8 YPC for the Jags last season despite given a chance to run as the feature back.


Source: Contra Costa Times

Coach Doug Marrone said he still hasn't decided who will be his goal-line back.
"We're actually still trying to find that role," Marrone said. "I don't think that role's been defined for us yet. We're going to take a real good look at it." During Monday's intra-squad scrimmage, Tashard Choice got the majority of goal-line chances, but we wouldn't read too much into it. Marrone has stated before that he plans to use C.J. Spiller in all situations, including the red zone. If Spiller handles his business there early on, the job should be his.

Related: Fred Jackson, Tashard Choice

Source: Buffalo News

Following Monday night's intrasquad scrimmage, coach Doug Marrone said the Bills are "very, very pleased" with first-round QB E.J. Manuel's development.
Manuel started off the scrimmage by throwing a pick-six to Leodis McKelvin, but he settled down. Unofficially, he completed 9-of-17 passes for 113 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Manuel also ran for another score. He received all of the first-team reps while Kevin Kolb was away tending to a death in his family. Manuel has been the best quarterback in Bills camp this summer.


Source: Buffalo News

Aug 5 - 9:25 PM

CSN Philly considers the Eagles' No. 2 receiver position "Russell Shepard's to lose."
With Jeremy Maclin out for the year and Riley Cooper on leave, Shepard is practicing as the starter opposite DeSean Jackson. And he's playing outside, not in the slot, where veteran Jason Avant is the incumbent. Shepard was a huge high school quarterback recruit when he arrived at LSU, but never found a steady position in college. He's someone to begin considering in Dynasty leagues.


Source: CSN Philly

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians says Ryan Williams' roster chances are being "extremely" affected by his lingering right knee injury.
"It’s hurting him extremely not to be on the field competing for the job," said Arians. "Because those other guys are doing so well." The "other guys" are rookies Stepfan Taylor and Andre Ellington, and Alfonso Smith. Williams does not have a serious injury, but has pain in his right knee and is on crutches.


Source: Arizona Republic

CSN Philly's Rueben Frank reports Michael Vick has "gapped" Nick Foles in the Eagles' quarterback race over the "last few days."
Per Frank, Vick has been "tremendous." Foles "hasn't been bad at all," but is clearly being outplayed by his 33-year-old competition. Rookie Matt Barkley has yet to take a single 11-on-11 rep above the third-team offense. The majority of Philly beat writers entered training camp confident Foles would beat out Vick. Ultimately, Vick is significantly more talented and was always the superior fit for rookie coach Chip Kelly's run-heavy, read-option offensive attack.

Related: Nick Foles

Source: Rueben Frank on Twitter

Aug 5 - 2:48 PM

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Michael Vick has "gapped" Nick Foles

WTF. :X :X :X

 

[Faust]

Daryl Richardson likely the St. Louis Rams' starting RB

By Chris Wesseling

Around the League Writer

Coach Jeff Fisher told NFL.com's Ian Rapoport last week that the St. Louis Rams likely will go with a committee of two or three running backs this season.

But Fisher suggested Tuesday that second-year pro Daryl Richardson already has emerged as the leader of that backfield committee.

"I think Daryl comes back as our starter," Fisher said Tuesday, via the Rams' official website. "He played significantly more last year than anybody."

The Rams essentially relegated Richardson to outside runs, pitches and receptions last season in an effort to get him in space as a complement to Steven Jackson. After outplaying the more highly touted 2012 second-round draft pick, Isaiah Pead, Richardson now has the experience edge entering preseason action. It doesn't hurt his case that Pead is suspended for the first game of the season.

"I'm a good quality back," Richardson said Tuesday, via Rams insider Tony Softli. "I feel I can do it all, be an every-down back."

While it's noteworthy that Fisher has endorsed Richardson with more than a month to go before the season opener, there's no reason to believe the Rams will back off their intention to use two or three tailbacks. If Pead or Zac Stacy develops the hot hand, Richardson still could take a backseat.

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[Faust]

What we learned Tuesday: WR carnage continues

By Chris Wesseling

Around the League Writer

Wide receivers continue to drop like flies in training camp. On the same day that Jeremy Maclin underwent successful surgery to repair to his ACL tear, he saw both his best friend and a fellow Philadelphia Eagles receiver go down with the same injury.

Arrelious Benn became the third player in Eagles camp to be lost for the season with a torn left ACL. Minutes later, the San Diego Chargers confirmed that Danario Alexander -- tight with Maclin from their days together at Mizzou -- had torn his right ACL. Earlier in the day, the Green Bay Packers announced that Jordy Nelson would miss the remainder of training camp after undergoing knee surgery of his own.

Benn joins Maclin in tearing his ACL for the second time, two shy of Alexander's total. We've seen Thomas Davis of the Panthers, Terrell Thomas of the Giants, Owen Daniels of the Texans and rookie Michael Mauti of the Vikings undergo three ACL surgeries, but Alexander is the only NFL player we know of with four separate tears. It's worth noting that former Broncos offensive lineman and current ESPN analyst Mark Schlereth underwent 29 surgeries -- including 20 on his knees.

We can't help but feel for Alexander, whose troublesome left knee finally stayed intact long enough for him to showcase No. 1 receiver ability after joining the Chargers at mid-season last year, as he finished fourth in the NFL in touchdown-to-target ratio. If there's a silver lining, it's that this is the first time Alexander's right knee has given him trouble.

Second chancesFollowing a four-day hiatus, Riley Cooper rejoined his Philadelphia Eagles teammates Tuesday. Slot receiver Jason Avant insists the Eagles players are "definitely over" the racially insensitive remark that led to Cooper's sabbatical. It's evident at this point that Cooper's roster spot is secure.

Quotes of the Day» Peter King of TheMMQB.com asked Peyton Manning if he sought Tom Brady's advice on throwing to Wes Welker. Manning's response: "I didn't go there. That's a little awkward. Tom called me and told me how much I'm gonna enjoy him, that he's one of, if not his favorite, teammate of all time."

» Bill Belichick on new Eagles' coach Chip Kelly's innovative style: "What [Chip] did at Oregon, that was one thing. We'll see how it all plays out here, but he's a very innovative, creative guy. He's got a great mind, he's smart and I think he'll take advantage of whatever resources he can. He'll give us plenty of trouble."

Cool Cat awardCalling it the "coolest thing I've ever done," Sidney Rice surprised a fan in Zurich last week when he flew 10,000 miles to Switzerland for a 20-minute procedure on his knee. The fan reached out via Twitter, inviting the Seattle Seahawks receiver over for barbecue and a friendly game of "Madden," which Rice lost. "It came down to the very last second," Rice said. "They beat me on a field goal at the very last second, 26-23. ... They were pretty stoked. That was pretty cool."

Stock up» Coach Jeff Fisher said Tuesday that Daryl Richardson is the favorite for the St. Louis Rams' starting running-back job due to his experience edge on the competition.

» Rookie Eddie Lacy handled the first rep in every running-back drill Tuesday after a strong showing in Saturday night's scrimmage.

» Undrafted rookies Kenbrell Thompkins and Zach Sudfeld continue to make noise in Patriots training camp, allowing Tom Brady to keep the offense clicking despite the roster turnover.

» Deonte Thompson is running as the Ravens' first-team slot receiver ahead of Tandon Doss, David Reed and LaQuan Williams. It's an odd fit for a downfield threat who claims he once ran a 4.20-second 40-yard dash at Florida.

» Tight end Coby Fleener has made "wow" plays throughout Indianapolis Colts training camp, general manager Ryan Grigson told Scott Pioli of Pro Football Talk on NBCSN. "The first (breakout) player that would come to mind would be Coby Fleener," Grigson said. "Knock on wood, he's a guy that you knew had speed, had size being 6-foot-6 and running 4.51 [seconds in the 40-yard dash]. You know he could be a tough mismatch downfield because he could play above the rim."

» DeSean Jackson continued a dominant training camp by toasting cornerback Aqib Talib in Tuesday's scrimmage with the Patriots.

Stock down» Not yet back to full health following microfracture and ACL surgery, former Giants tight end Jake Ballard is in jeopardy of not making the Patriots' roster.

» Speaking of roster spots in peril, an inflamed hamstring has Browns second-round pick Montario Hardesty up against the ropes.

» Still learning Chicago Bears coach Marc Trestman's offense, Jay Cutler tossed four interceptions and had just as many passes batted down in Tuesday's practice.

» Bryce Brown could be losing his grip on the Eagles' No. 2 running-back job, as Chris Polk has been a more natural fit in Chip Kelly's offense.

Trainer's room» Randall Cobb was forced from Packers practice with a biceps injury Tuesday, though NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports it's "not serious."

» Rapoport also reports Jared Allen merely has a "little tweak" after rolling his ankle in Vikings practice Tuesday.

» Rashard Mendenhall returned from his patellar tendinitis to participate in Tuesday's practice. Unfortunately, the Cardinals lost another running back, sixth-round pick Andre Ellington, to an undisclosed injury in his head/neck area.

» Running back Ben Tate returned to Texans practice Tuesday after sitting out the weekend with a tight groin. Arian Foster has yet to be activated after opening camp on the active/PUP list with a strained calf.

» Julio Jones (hamstring) and Trent Richardson (shin) are both likely to be held out of their teams' preseason openers, though neither injury is a grave concern. If this was Week 1 of the regular season, it's a good bet both would be suiting up.

The Around The League Podcast is now available on iTunes! Click here to listen and subscribe.

 

[Crippler]

GLENDALE, Ariz.—It was a hard-hitting Day 9 at Arizona Cardinals training camp despite being in shells and shoulder pads only. Monday’s practice following an off day Sunday was sharp on both sides of the ball once again, and more than a few players had their share of time in the spotlight.

Not all was cheerful and jubilant, however. One quarterback thought Monday was also an off day, and it showed on the field.

Also, defensive lineman Ricky Lumpkin suffered what looked like a lower leg injury. A cart was initially brought out to help him get off the field, but he wound up very gingerly walking off under his own power.

Here are highlights and lowlights from Day 9 of Cards camp.

Note: All information used here was obtained firsthand by the writer.

Three Who Impressed

Alfonso Smith Continues Great Camp

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Alfonso Smith apparently has no problem picking on players larger than he is. Twice Monday, he stuck his nose exactly where it belonged to take out a blitzing linebacker—through the A-gap.

Without those pickups, both plays would have resulted in sacks.

He also continued his furious running style, making defenders miss by playing as though Monday were a live game.

For Smith, it may as well be.

He is playing for a roster spot despite the injuries to both Rashard Mendenhall, who continues to sit out with knee tendinitis, and Ryan Williams, who drew the attention of his head coach Monday for missing the past week of practice.

Bruce Arians also gave Smith a healthy shout-out, via Craig Grialou of ArizonaSports.com.

He’s a downhill runner. He’s bringing it every time, and as our safeties and linebackers have found out, he’s a pretty good wall to try to run through on pass protection. Alfonso is having a great camp. I’m excited for Alfonso because I think he’s making a real big step in making our football team.
Charles Hawkins States His Case

Undrafted rookie wide receiver Charles Hawkins has become the favorite target of backup quarterback Drew Stanton. Stanton feeds Hawkins the ball regularly, and the connection has begun spilling over to Carson Palmer.

Everyone has taken notice of No. 89 when he is on the field; it’s hard not to.

He caught another touchdown pass from Stanton Monday. The two have hooked up for a touchdown pass multiple times throughout camp. Stanton completed many passes to Hawkins during live scrimmage, including the score.

With LaRon Byrd still out with a concussion, Hawkins is in the mix already, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com.

Monday’s practice only increases his chances.

Daryl Washington All over the Field

Pro Bowl inside linebacker Daryl Washington is listed as the third-string inside linebacker, per the official website’s first depth chart of the season. Bob McManaman of AZCentral.com gave his thoughts on why that is:

Wanting to see him more and getting him extra playing time before his four-game suspension to start the regular season could be the reason for the move. Or it could be that Arians wants Karlos Dansby to start both pre- and post-suspension and also wants Reggie Walker running the second-string defense.

Walker has been impressive in his own right during camp, and he could be a lock to run the backup defense all season while being in a part-time rotational role with the starters.

Washington picked off Stanton during red-zone drills Monday, and he also would have notched a sack of No. 5 if hitting quarterbacks were not off-limits.

He Who Depressed

Drew Stanton Looks Rattled, Inaccurate

Monday afternoon was rough for Stanton. Early during scrimmage, the defense blitzed the A-gaps and had a linebacker running free at him. He delivered a rushed pass over the middle, but it fell incomplete behind his intended target, tight end Rob Housler.

Stanton was responsible for the aforementioned interception to Washington, and he also threw one to free safety Tyrann Mathieu, who continued his torrent of pass breakups and pickoffs Monday.

Stanton turned it on late when he looked primarily to Hawkins during two-minute offense work, but his overall performance was shaky compared to his solid first week of camp.

Carson Palmer Report

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Palmer was again sharp Monday and seems to be getting better by the day. He looked comfortable making every throw.

While his protection broke down at times and left him with less time than he had Saturday, he did not seem to care nor notice; he delivered strikes to everyone once again.

His favorite target Monday was receiver Michael Floyd, which is turning into quite the connection. Palmer hit Floyd accurately multiple times, including once on a jump-ball throw that resulted in a touchdown.

Other News and Notes

—The starting offensive line struggled some early, but they appeared to get better as practice moved along. Especially impressive was former seventh-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles, guard Paul Fanaika, who has started in place of the injured Daryn Colledge at right guard since last week. Fanaika moved the line of scrimmage well Monday, and at one point during O-Line vs. D-Line drills, he stoned defensive end Darnell Dockett as he attempted a bull rush.

—Third-string quarterback Ryan Lindley had a decent day. At one point during red-zone drills, he threw a pass through traffic and into the hands of cornerback Javier Arenas, who ran it out of the end zone before the on-hand referees stopped the play. Lindley came back with two consecutive touchdown passes to tight ends D.C. Jefferson and Alex Gottlieb, respectively.

—The starting secondary (including nickel corner) remained the same Monday. At some point, it may be time to try out Tyrann Mathieu with the first unit. But as of now, when the first-team nickel defense is out there, Antoine Cason plays the outside and starter Jerraud Powers drops to the slot.

—Over the weekend, a scout told Cardinals radio color analyst Ron Wolfley that Mathieu has been “pound-for-pound, the best player on the field,” via ArizonaSports.com. Having seen him all but one day, there is no disagreement here.

—In addition to Fanaika performing well Monday, second-year guard Senio Kelemete did his part. At a time when the once-deep offensive line Arians built through the draft and free agency had thinned due to injury, those two stepping up is a big relief. It would obviously be in the best interest of the team to have Colledge back and healthy, but there could be a couple nice interior pieces lying in wait.

—Inside linebacker Jasper Brinkley has been on the brink (yes, that’s an intended pun) of making the “Impressed” section of these columns for nearly a week. He would have made it Monday had it not been for so many others making plays.

 

[Crippler]

1. Injury Update: The Falcons have managed to stay relatively healthy during training camp this year, but in the last few days, they've experienced some bruises. On Monday the Falcons lost Sean Weatherspoon and Julio Jones during practice and on Tuesday morning the team announced both would be out for the preseason opener. During Tuesday's practice, starting right tackle Mike Johnson went down with an injury and was taken off the field. After practice, head coach Mike Smith didn't have much information to share and said he didn't want to speculate on the nature of Johnson's injury: "Mike Johnson left the field and I cannot give you an update right now. I don't know the extent of the injury but like we did today, this morning, when we have concrete information, we will give concrete information out to you guys."

2. Line Options: Football is in fact a contact sport so injuries can’t come as a surprise and they can’t be used as excuses either. Smith said on Tuesday that he’s intrigued by some of his options along the offensive line this year, especially some of the young offensive tackles they brought in. Two in particular, Ryan Schraeder and Terren Jones, could be critical if Johnson’s injury is serious. They’re both 6-foot-7 and weight at least 300 pounds and Smith shared their size and athleticism are two things they’re excited about. Smith said the final selections along the line are still up for grabs as they try to put together a line that is versatile: "We're trying to put together a 53-man roster that has nine offensive linemen that gives us a lot of flexibility."

Smith added that Thursday’s game would be mostly about evaluating their young players and there was a plan in place for how long starters would play.

PHOTOS: See Images From Day 11 Of Camp

3. Young D-Line: This year signals the beginning of a youth movement for the Falcons along the defensive line, especially at end. Many of the young ends are getting an opportunity to play valuable snaps for the defense this year, headlined by Jonathan Massaquoi and Malliciah Goodman. Both young players had a strong day on Tuesday going against Cincinnati's second-string offense. Massaquoi and Goodman were applying pressure routinely to the QB and during one two-minute drill situation, Massaquoi was credited with two sacks and Goodman added another. This bodes well for the Falcons as those two players are competing to be the primary backups to Osi Umenyiora and Kroy Biermann.

4. The Jackson Attack: It continues to be very clear the Falcons intend to use

Steven Jackson as much more than just a running back who carries the ball. Although he's a talented runner, Jackson is equally good at catching passes. During practices the Falcons have positioned Jackson all over the line of scrimmage and at one point Tuesday during drills, the Falcons threw to Jackson on two straight plays on opposite sides of the field. After practice Jackson said he thinks the offense is designed to get him one-on-one with linebackers because of the heavy coverage opposing defenses are expected to use against Atlanta's receiving targets. Jackson's role in Atlanta gives the running back memories of his early days as a true dual-threat back: "It reminds me of my younger years in St. Louis when I was used more as a receiver out of the backfield. It allows me to use more tools in the shed that I have and possess. It allows me to work on things I haven't done in a number of years."5. Dalton On Defense: You never expect to hear an opposing quarterback say anything overly negative about an opponent, certainly an opponent’s defense and that is true in the case of Cincinnati’s Andy Dalton. The third-year quarterback did however provide a nice opposing view of the Falcons’ defense from what he saw over the last two days of the combined practices: “They did a good job of disguising coverage, showing one thing and going back to something else. They've got guys that have been around for a while so they're definitely a good defense."

Dalton added an assessment of the rookie corners for the Falcons, Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford, saying the two rookies seemed to know what was going on around them on the practice field.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Cool Cat award

Calling it the "coolest thing I've ever done," Sidney Rice surprised a fan in Zurich last week when he flew 10,000 miles to Switzerland for a 20-minute procedure on his knee. The fan reached out via Twitter, inviting the Seattle Seahawks receiver over for barbecue and a friendly game of "Madden," which Rice lost. "It came down to the very last second," Rice said. "They beat me on a field goal at the very last second, 26-23. ... They were pretty stoked. That was pretty cool."

That's awesome!

 

[Faust]

Camp Confidential: Oakland Raiders

By Bill Williamson | ESPN.com

NAPA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders are basically starting over.

In the second year of the Reggie McKenzie-Dennis Allen era, the team has hit the reset button. The Raiders kept several high-dollar players at start of the post-Al Davis era in 2012 and saw their decade-long malaise continue. Oakland, which has not been to the playoffs since 2002, lost eight of its final nine games last season and finished 4-12.

McKenzie flushed several players in an attempt to get control -- finally -- of a salary cap that got away from the previous regime. The result is that Oakland, which will be in fine salary-cap shape next year, has questions throughout the roster heading into this season.

Yet, Oakland isn’t ready to give up on another season, waiting for better fiscal times. Oakland is beginning the rebuilding process with several players handpicked by McKenzie and Allen.

The theme of these newcomers is the same: “They love football,” Allen said.

McKenzie said it was crucial to get high-character players in the building.

“This is the only way we are going to get this thing going,” McKenzie said. “We need to get guys who want it. I think this team, as a whole, wants it. You need talent but you need high-desire players. Sometimes, that is more important than talent. Now, we have talent, but the key is to find guys who have both. We think we have the kind of guys who can be here when we turn this thing around.”

It is doubtful Oakland will be a factor in the AFC West this season, but it’s all about the building process. Having players whom McKenzie and Allen believe in is a start.

“We have to build a swagger,” Allen said. “This team has to have a vision and a belief that this is going to be a good football team.”

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. The quarterbacks:

Like most positions in Oakland, there is flux at the most important position on the field. The Raiders became a mystery at quarterback when Carson Palmer declined a pay cut. With a sudden hole, McKenzie turned to Matt Flynn in a trade with Seattle. Flynn was with McKenzie in Green Bay. He has two NFL starts under his belt, and he is 28. He has been the most consistent of the Oakland quarterbacks this summer, but he is far from dynamic.

Almost every time I’ve heard Allen talk in 2013, he has mentioned the will and desire of his team. Allen doesn’t dwell on the past, but it is clear he didn’t believe some of the players on his first Oakland roster would totally sell out for the game.

The Raiders hope he can be a solid game manager and a short-term answer. He must show that in camp. The Raiders also have Terrelle Pryor and rookies Matt McGloin and Tyler Wilson. I get the sense that the Raiders have higher, long-term hopes for Wilson, although he has struggled some in camp. If Pryor can find some consistency and Flynn falters, he or McGloin could get a chance. But the same goes for Wilson, a rookie, if there are no better options later in the season. For the immediate future, the Raiders hope Flynn can show he can be an effective starter.

2. Will McFadden have an impact?

Running back Darren McFadden has long been Oakland’s best player. The Raiders need him to regain form to ensure this offense can be competitive. If McFadden and the running game don’t take off, there will be immense pressure on Flynn.

McFadden is looking for a bounce-back season. Oakland scrapped the zone-blocking scheme and will employ a power-blocking attack under new offensive coordinator Greg Olson. McFadden has had success in the latter scheme but must remain healthy regardless of scheme. He has missed at least three games in all five of his NFL seasons. If McFadden, who is in his contract year, can play at a high level again, Oakland’s offense will have a fighting chance. This training camp is about getting him prepared to do so.

3. Where’s the pass rush?

Defensively, camp is about trying to find a pass rush. Oakland had little pass rush last season, and the team did little to improve in that area in the offseason. The team’s best pass-rushers are veteran Andre Carter and Lamarr Houston. But they are far from elite. Oakland has to find some pass-rushers to emerge in camp, and it also needs improved play in the secondary to help with the pass rush.

REASON FOR OPTIMISM:

The back seven on defense appears to be improved. Oakland may have as many as nine new starters on defense and six in the back seven. Oakland feels better about its overall depth at linebacker and in the secondary.

In fact, I get the sense that the team’s brass is most excited about the linebackers and defensive backs.

The exact linebacker rotation is not clear, but the team is really high on middle linebacker Nick Roach and rookie outside linebacker Sio Moore. Roach has been a leader and has shown high intelligence. Oakland thinks Roach will set the tone for an improved defense. Moore, a third-round pick from Connecticut, has the look of a player who can make an instant impact.

Last season, Oakland’s secondary was one of the worst in the NFL. That doesn’t appear to be the case now.

The cornerbacks are much improved with veterans Mike Jenkins and Tracy Porter and rookie D.J. Hayden. The addition of safety Charles Woodson gives Oakland hope on the field and in the locker room.

REASON FOR PESSISISM:

The roster is not deep, and there are holes and questions all over.

There are some talented players, and some of these young players will emerge. But getting them ready in this camp is daunting.

The key in the NFL is depth. Injuries can occur at an alarming rate. The teams that survive are the teams with the deepest rosters. Oakland doesn’t seem to have a deep roster. McKenzie acknowledges this.

“I can’t afford to get too many injuries,” McKenzie said. “We have to stay healthy. If we do, I think we can be OK. Guys will emerge as camp goes on.”

OBSERVATION DECK

• The Raiders love Hayden’s attitude. The No. 12 overall pick has the type of want-to attitude the team is looking for.

• Cornerback Taiwan Jones, who switched positions from running back in the offseason, is a long shot. But because he plays so well on special teams, he has a chance to make the 53-man roster.

• It is no sure thing that wide receivers Rod Streater and Denarius Moore will be strong starters this year, but both have big potential. Streater, an undrafted fee agent last year, looks particularly comfortable.

• I love how center Stefen Wisniewski and left tackle Jared Veldheer are looking. These are two of the better young offensive lineman in the game.

• I get the sense Allen is very pleased with this staff. This group seems like it is working well together.

• The punting job probably will go down to the wire as Oakland looks to replace Shane Lechler, now in Houston. As expected, veteran Chris Kluwe has shown consistency, but Marquette King has a stronger leg. King has a chance if he can find consistency in the next several weeks.

• Seventh-round pick and pass-rusher David Bass has shown some nice burst. He has a chance to develop.

• The tight end position continues to be in flux. The team’s four tight ends are David Ausberry, Richard Gordon and sixth-round picks Nick Kasa and Mychal Rivera. I’d say Ausberry is the favorite to win the job. Still, it is a work in progress.

• The team likes what it sees in returner Josh Cribbs. He has a great attitude and is a good influence in the locker room.

• Journeyman offensive lineman Alex Barron has looked good. Once considered a longshot to make the team, Barron has a chance to play a lot.

 

[Faust]

Rams searching for starting running back

By Nick Wagoner | ESPN.com

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- It’s been almost a decade since the Rams have had anything even remotely resembling a competition for their starting running back position.

Since the Rams used the 24th overall pick in the 2004 NFL draft on him, Steven Jackson’s name might as well have been etched in stone at the top of the depth chart. From that time, no running back in the NFL even came close to handling Jackson’s workload.

With Jackson now making his NFL home in Atlanta, the Rams find themselves entering their first season post-Jackson in search of a new starter at running back.

On Tuesday afternoon, coach Jeff Fisher pointed to Daryl Richardson over Isaiah Pead as the logical replacement. Well, sort of.

“I think Daryl comes back as our starter because he played significantly more last year than anybody,” Fisher said. “And so Isaiah is working himself up and competing with Daryl. And you’ve got the rest of the guys that are just going to battle it out, and we haven’t ruled anybody out from that matter. But we’re going to try to get as many carries as we can.”

So while Richardson “comes back as the starter,” there seems to be plenty of wiggle room as the Rams head into the preseason opener in Cleveland tomorrow night. Beyond that, calling Richardson the starter now could also be a matter of semantics, because Pead’s one-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy will keep him out of the opener against Arizona.

Nearly two weeks into this year’s training camp, Richardson and Pead have spent most of the time in practice splitting repetitions with the first team. Richardson got many of the looks in the opening days before the Rams put the pads on, but since then he and Pead have been taking turns on a fairly consistent basis.

Neither Pead nor Richardson believes the job is anything but up for grabs as the exhibition schedule kicks off.

“I can’t call it right now, I can’t really tell,” Pead said. “All I can focus on is the next play and trying not to make a mistake on it or fixing it if I’ve currently made a mistake on it. That’s really the mindset that all of us as vets have taken, not really paying attention to how things are going to play out, but letting them play out.”

Ultimately, no matter who wins the starting job, it’s highly unlikely the Rams will lean on one back as they did Jackson.

From 2004 to 2012, Jackson’s 2,396 carries were the most in the league. Thomas Jones’ 2,179 attempts rank second.

In St. Louis, the discrepancy is even greater. Marshall Faulk, who played with Jackson in Jackson’s rookie season, had the next highest total after Jackson’s with 260.

All told, the Rams had 59 players carry the ball during Jackson’s tenure. In that time, the Rams tallied 3,665 carries; meaning Jackson’s total was good for 65.3 percent of the team’s total carries in his nine years with the team.

Richardson actually sits fourth on that list after one season in the league, carrying 98 times for 475 yards as a rookie in 2012. Richardson is the fastest of the group, and showed a penchant for breaking the long run with 11 carries of 10-plus yards.

That speed would seem to make Richardson an ideal complementary back, but he says he made it a point in the offseason to add strength so he could be better between the tackles and be more stout picking up the blitz.

“I want to be the guy at the beginning and at the end,” Richardson said. “I am out here working every day, on my hands especially. Pass protection is a must. You have got to protect [quarterback] Sam [bradford]. That’s the main focus on what will go on the field.”

Those things should help his cause, but Richardson is well aware that ball security is another issue he has to work on during the rest of the preseason. As a rookie, he coughed up three fumbles, two of which were lost.

“You have got to hold on to that ball,” Richardson said. “Holding on to the ball can be the thing that will make you or break you.”

Pead is the most likely to push Richardson and potentially claim the job before the regular season begins. After the Rams used a second-round pick (No. 50 overall) on him in the 2012 draft, Pead fell behind early in last year’s camp and Richardson claimed the backup job early on.

From there, Pead didn’t get many opportunities as he carried 10 times for 54 yards. Like Richardson, Pead brings a speedy running style, but is probably a bit more elusive in the open field.

By his own admission, Pead would like to be the type of multi-purpose player who touches the ball 30 times a game via the run, the catch and as a returner, but for now, his goal is to improve in all areas so he can win the starting job.

“I think every snap counts,” Pead said. “Every blitz picked up, every dropped ball, every missed cut, every missed assignment. We are all out here looking not to make mistakes. You pray for a perfect practice every day, it just doesn’t happen. But that’s what you have coaches for, and that’s what you come out every day for, and that’s what competition is for. It forces you to be on high alert and perform.”

Pead and Richardson will get plenty of opportunities to create separation through the preseason, but other backs such as rookie Zac Stacy, Terrance Ganaway and maybe even Benjamin Cunningham will get their chances. How soon those other backs get their chance remains to be seen as Stacy hasn’t done much in practice the past two days, and Ganaway appeared to tweak something on a run late in Tuesday’s workout.

“You just have to sit down and give it some thought,” Fisher said. “Out of fairness to them, you want them all to have an opportunity to run behind the first line, because that’s a fair evaluation -- and run against good opponents. So, we’re going to have to work that out the best we can.”

 

[Faust]

Eagles Observations: Cooper rehab, recovery weighed by effectiveness?

Jason La Canfora

PHILADELPHIA -- Call me a cynic -- although I think realist is a better term -- but expect the success or failure of Eagles wideout Riley Cooper's "rehab and recovery" from a racial slur to be dictated by his production. However hurt and embarrassed the Eagles might be, they are also desperate for receiving help as new coach Chip Kelly installs this offense, and with Jeremy Maclin and Arrelious Benn already gone for the season, Riley's value could not be higher.

He has looked better at practice since coming back from his brief hiatus, and though the examination of his body language and interaction with teammates remains a top priority at each session, I expect this will become less of an issue should Cooper prove an adequate fill-in for Maclin.

And should he falter, drop balls and seem to be targeted by opposing plays, and should this offense falter, then suddenly Cooper becomes expendable and someone who could be made an example of, even post haste.

That the reality of the business of football.

(Talking to people who around the Eagles' contingent at this now-infamous Chesney concert, they don't believe the situation was born of racism as much as it was seven-plus hours of power-drinking prior to the concert, shot-gunning beers and the like, and then Cooper's ego getting bruised when a group of his teammates immediately got whisked backstage and he was momentarily left out.)

Things seemed to be largely back to order for Cooper on Wednesday, in his interactions with fans and teammates.

[SIZE=xx-small]•[/SIZE] Everyone is so focused on the Eagles' new passing attack, they're missing the point that this likely will be a prominently run-heavy team. The offensive line is stout and rebuilt, the Eagles look particularly effective running inside-zone plays, they have explosive backs -- led by LeSean McCoy -- and with their defense quite likely to be among the league's worst in some key categories again in 2013, well, they damn well better control the ball when they can.

Kelly knows how to adjust to what he has and he won't be trying to force-feed a replication of the Oregon offense in Week 1 here. Expect him to play to his strengths, and that's old-school ground-and-pound.

[SIZE=xx-small]•[/SIZE] Vick envisions DeSean Jackson being even more heavily involved than he's been in the past, which seems even more obvious now given the injuries at receiver (Kelly says the team may look at a few free agents to round out the roster there). Vick said he could see the ball going to Jackson "30 percent of the time," or more.

[SIZE=xx-small]•[/SIZE] Watching Patriots QB Tom Brady operate remains a thing of beauty. Julian Edelman kept showing up big in the middle of the field, in some of the high traffic areas Wes Welker used to navigate. Danny Amendola is obviously going to get a lot of balls off a shifts and motions.

[SIZE=xx-small]•[/SIZE] Pats receiver Aaron Dobson, a rookie our of Marshall, has had some struggles of late, but was targeted deep several times and showed speed if not always the ability to come down with the football.

[SIZE=xx-small]•[/SIZE] If Philly's defense is going to make any progress, recent draft picks Vinny Curry and Brandon Graham need to make something happen. They'll get an abundance of reps in preseason games. Outside linebacker Connor Barwin, who has 3-4 experience from Houston, didn't look all that comfortable when asked to drop back into zone coverage in Wednesday's session, and the team's overall transition to the 3-4 I suspect will take ample time. (The Eagles are quietly high on end Clifton Geathers and I wouldn't be shocked if they added a few years to his deal at some point).

In general, when the Patriots spread the ball around to the array of talented running backs in the short passing game, the Eagles' linebacker's deficiencies flared up.

[SIZE=xx-small]•[/SIZE] The Eagles signed corner Cary Williams, who helped the Ravens win a Super Bowl, hoping he could upgrade their brutal secondary. I don't see it. He remains hobbled by injury and his antics are already grating on some. The Ravens knew he could be incredibly difficult to deal with and a locker room issue, and let him walk. I wonder if he makes it through the season here.

Overall, I don't see much reason for hope with this secondary. I'm not even going to factor in how Brady carved them up, because he would do that to anyone in a controlled setting such as this. Brandon Boykin has been their best corner so far, but he's much more suited to the slot and his lack of size on the outside led to balls being completed over his head today. Receivers were running behind safeties with far too much regularity, and, also without a dominant pass rush, this looks like a poor combination.

"We have some things we can improve on," corner Curtis Marsh said in the understatement of the day.

[SIZE=xx-small]•[/SIZE] Other college coaches who have made the jump to the NFL have tended to take preseason games a little more seriously, treat them a little more like the real deal and run more than the most vanilla offerings we generally see in these exhibitions. Kelly may well do the same, and I wouldn't blame him a bit. Engendering some goodwill and excitement, cultivating his roster and generating some quick buy-in from his players all makes sense.

Kelly said he will adjust his plans for the preseason opener on the fly, wanting to get adequate looks at various position groups, some of which are decidedly more top-heavy than others.

[SIZE=xx-small]•[/SIZE] The Eagles will try to look into the spate of ACL injuries, to see if its more than just a fluke, Kelly said.

[SIZE=xx-small]•[/SIZE] Patriots coach Bill Belichick said he and Kelly made a joint decision to scrap the loud music that usually blares during practice, instead making sure both teams knew where to be on each field and focusing on communication. "I don't think it's that big of a deal one way or the other," Belichick said.

[SIZE=xx-small]•[/SIZE] These teams will work out together again, with a focus on special situations, Belichick said. Belichick and Kelly share a bond through John's Hopkins University; Kelly once coached there and Belichick is close with Hopkins lacrosse coach Dave Pietrimala and regular attends lacrosse games on the Baltimore campus in the spring.

 

[Faust]

Training camp roundup: Top-five free agents still available

 

[Faust]

Falcons-Bengals notes: Injury makes RT trouble spot for Atlanta

Jason La Canfora

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons' search for a new starting right tackle took another turn when de facto preseason starter Mike Johnson was carted off the field and lost for what team sources believe will be an extended period of time, if not the entire season. By the end of today's practice session with the Bengals, rookie un-drafted free agent Ryan Schraeder, out of Valdosta State, was running with the starters and protecting Matt Ryan's right side.

There isn't much to quibble about at all with the Falcons offense, but right tackle will be a focal point from here on out. Johnson, who is in his contract year and was rushed from the facility just before his agents, Pat Dye and Bill Johnson, arrived to watch practice, was given the first shot to nail down the job as departed Tyson Clabo's replacement.

Ryan is so smart and gets rid of the ball so quickly that the Falcons should be able to get by with pedestrian play at right tackle. They just can't have it be a total black hole. Second-year tackle Lamar Holmes, a third round pick in 2012, got the first set of reps with the starters after Johnson's injury, but his stay there was brief with a rotation in order. Holmes also heard a good amount of ribbing from Atlanta's offensive stars for throwing up at one point.

Coach Mike Smith expects to give plenty of reps to everyone as he sorts out the right side of his offensive line.

"I think we're very solid on the left side in terms of what our roster will look like with the left tackle and left guard," Smith said. "We're moving Peter Konz back to his normal position, which is center. Last year he had to play guard for us. Garrett Reynolds is sliding back in to the right guard position and he's started 17 games in the three years he's been with us. And then there has been competition there at right tackle, and I think there will continue to be."

Reynolds has not exactly been a standout thus far, either, so the offensive line will bear particular monitoring as the Falcons' preseason begins Thursday night against the Bengals. There isn't much in terms of available talent on the free-agent tackle market right now -- in fact several GMs I've chatted with during my camp travels have commented about the utter paucity of options -- but at some point the Falcons could turn to the waiver wire as well as cuts are made.

They'd love for Holmes to win out, given where he was drafted, but grasping the entirety of the offense and seizing this opportunity is far from a certainty. Veteran Joe Hawley could end up pushing for a center/guard spot as well.

Smith said after practice he had not yet been briefed on the specifics of Johnson's injury.

Observations

• You don't have to stare at the Falcons in action long to realize the bulk of their offseason assets were used towards upgrading a defense that sagged down the stretch. Coordinator Mike Nolan did a tremendous job with his scheme, but you can only overcome shortages at key positions for so long, and teams completed far too many big plays on the Falcons down the stretch.

Over the last eight games of last season, Atlanta ranked 30th in the NFL in big plays allowed (plays of 20 or more yards).

For the season they ranked 28th in sacks and 28th in opposing rushes over 20 yards and 30th in first-down rushing defense. With the addition of pass rusher Osi Umenyiora and the drafting of two corners (in the first and second rounds), two safeties and two defensive linemen, it's clear they are hopeful of plugging those gaps.

"We were very focused on working on the defense here; that's obvious," general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "Especially this year knowing we have an offense we think can be prolific, obviously we focused on getting Matt (Ryan) signed, and when you look at our approach to the draft, I think that speaks volumes for what our approach was coming into the year."

Dimitroff has been impressed not only with how rookie corners Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford have done on the field, but the way they battle with what I believe is the best receiver tandem in the league in Roddy White and Julio Jones.

"They don't back down from those two guys, which I really love," Dimitroff said. "It's a really healthy competitive atmosphere between them right now, which is great."

• Umenyiora looks in great shape ("I'm good to go," he said, smiling), but you have to wonder if teams will focus on him as the only real edge presence the Falcons present with John Abraham gone. Umenyiora was used to being part of a deep rotation with the Giants and, in his 11th year, injuries have to be a concern as well. "You can't really control that," he said of the luck involved with injuries, but he is showing tremendous leadership skills with how hard he is working, how long he is at the facility and the time he is putting into mastering Nolan's defense, which is very different than the way ends were cut loose to rush upfield often in New York.

"It's completely different," Umenyiora said. "Nolan is going to scheme you. In New York we had a pretty good scheme there but it was mostly, 'Go!' Now Coach Nolan is a really, really bright coach and he schemes things and he does some things I've never even seen before in my life ... The quarterback position has to be ridiculous to play, because of the way things move around, and the way he schemes it, I don't see how they see all that stuff coming."

Nolan will have to use ingenuity to his advantage again, though there is a sense around here that fifth-round pick Stansly Maponga, who is still rounding into health and shape, will be able to make a real contribution off the edge as things progress.

• Tony Gonzalez, considered by many the greatest tight end in NFL history, has yet to report, by design, as part of the deal set up when he opted out of retirement for one more shot at a ring with the Falcons. Smith said he does expect Gonzalez -- who reported briefly at the start of camp before being excused -- back soon and he is watching practice every night from his home on his iPOD. "I don't think there will be any issues with Tony," Smith said.

In the meantime, rookie tight end Levine Toilolo is generating a little buzz. He cuts quite the figure at 6-foot-8 and, though raw and inconsistent, will clearly learn a ton once Gonzalez is around to mentor him. There's a lot to like about his skill set, as a fourth round pick.

• I underestimated the size of the Falcons' safeties. Big dudes.

• For all the talk with the Bengals about this being a make-or-break year for quarterback Andy Dalton, offensive coordinator Jay Gruden isn't shying away from the notion it's a big year for him as well. Gruden, whose brother Jon was at practice today ahead of broadcasting Thursday's game on ESPN, has done a great job developing the Bengals' young offense. But after getting stifled two straight years by the Texans in the playoffs, expectations are now much higher for this group come January.

"There's no question about it, we all have to step up our game," Gruden said. "And that's been my focal point in all my meetings. It's not just the quarterback, obviously the quarterback has to get better, but we all do -- the quarterback, me, the line, the quarterback coach, receivers coach, the tight ends.

"Everybody has to be more detailed and pay attention to small details and get better, otherwise we don't have a chance. Andy can improve, but if everybody else stays the same and doesn't improve, then we won't go as far, either. I've got to make the plays as comfortable as I can for him and make sure I call a game that people can handle."

Gruden's offense will look much different this year, without a doubt. Two tight-end sets will be much more the norm, with rookie Tyler Eifert shining already, and explosive rookie back Gio Bernard will aid a rushing attack that was more plodding -- Cincy tied for 28th in percent of rushing attempts over 4 yards or more, and had only one rushing TD over 10 yards. Their presence in the red zone will draw some attention away from top receiver AJ Green, as well.

"The offense could change a lot," Gruden said, "and that's the good thing about our guys; we have a bunch of guys who can get lined up in different spots and do damage."

• With Green and receiver Andrew Hawkins among those injured and not practicing, 2012 draft pick Mohamed Sanu is among those shining, He can line up in the slot or out wide, and Gruden is clearly intrigued by his size and versatility even if/when the Bengals do have a full complement of receivers.

• One thing that impressed me about Bernard was his eagerness to get involved in pass protection. He realizes that failures there are often the downfall of young running backs and his mental preparation has not gone unnoticed early in this camp.

"I definitely think I'm doing a good job of it right now," he said, "and the more reps I have the better I get. For me my biggest job is to protect the quarterback. I don't want Andy to get touched by anybody, whether that's somebody coming out of nowhere, or whatever."

I have a feeling this kid makes an impact sooner rather than later.

• Geno Atkins, in the final year of his deal and primed to be the highest paid defensive linemen in NFL history, chatted with his agents, Dye and Johnson, for quite a while after practice. League sources said there has been ongoing dialogue about a new deal, but they are nowhere close on a deal with the Bengals at this point. I'd still bet strongly that he ends up with the franchise tag in 2014.

• Can't help but watch the growth of the Bengals, and all the talent they have amassed, and wonder where they might be had they accepted multiple first round picks for Chad Johnson/Ochocinco back when the Redskins were hot for him five years ago and when the receiver's best days were behind him. Add in a couple more solid first-rounders, and this team would be all the more equipped for a Super Bowl run.

 

[Faust]

Rams' Brian Quick seeking consistency

By Nick Wagoner | ESPN.com

Excerpt:

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Ask nearly any Rams coach or player about second-year wideout Brian Quick and you’re bound to hear plenty of different thoughts, but one buzzword will keep coming up: consistency.

Blessed with a size, speed and strength package that no other Rams wideout possesses, Quick teases with what he could become should his potential ever convert to production.

Depending on the day, Quick can tantalize with that ability but can also disappear for long stretches of time. After perhaps his best practice of this training camp Tuesday afternoon, Quick has put together a pair of strong workouts in a row.

Quick’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Rams great Isaac Bruce noted Monday that Quick has all the ability in the world but just needs to find some consistency.

“Man, he has it all,” Bruce said. “He has speed, he has the physique, he has huge hands. The guy can run and get down the field and he can get out of his break. That’s the biggest thing in this league is being able to transition.”

Torry Holt, Bruce’s former running mate and Rams legend in his own right, arrived in town Monday afternoon and has witnessed practiced both days.

Quick followed a solid performance on Monday with a performance Tuesday in which he hauled in about a half-dozen catches during team drills, including a deep out in which he beat cornerback Janoris Jenkins, a deep ball down the sideline and a handful of intermediate dig routes.

At one point, Quick caught two in a row and Holt implored him from the sideline to “keep going.”

“Quick had an outstanding day,” Holt said. “I think these last two days have been really good for him.”

From Holt’s perspective, Quick needs to take advantage of his greatest asset: his size. At 6-foot-3, 218 pounds, Quick brings a different look from smaller, quicker teammates such as Tavon Austin and Chris Givens.

Having Quick provide a different look on the outside would give the Rams a unique variety of possibilities with the wideouts, but first he must consistently use that size to an advantage.

“Quick, you’re big, you are supposed to play big,” Holt said. “It doesn’t matter if you hurt people’s feelings. I’m not here to save your feelings. I’m big, I’m bigger than you, that’s how I’m going to play and the last couple days we saw that. It’s just a matter of Quick just continuing to be consistent, believe in what it is he can do.”

In other Rams news:

• After an unseasonably cool run of weather, the Rams got a little heat for the first time in this training camp as temperatures rose to 89 degrees. Of course, that’s still pretty tame by August in St. Louis standards but it still provided a bit of a challenge given how cool it’s been recently. “Today was fine,” coach Jeff Fisher said. “Obviously they are in good shape and I thought they handled the heat pretty well. We’ll clearly back down tomorrow, kind of a walkthrough pace practice before we take off.”
• For the second day in a row, rookie running back Zac Stacy didn’t do much of anything in practice. End Chris Long returned to team drills after sitting most of them Monday.
• Aside from Quick’s exploits, the highlight of the day came when running back Daryl Richardson lowered his shoulder against safety T.J. McDonald in the open field and put McDonald on his back. Known for his speed, it was a rare burst of power for Richardson.
• Running back Benny Cunningham got some work on kick returns Tuesday. As a player fighting for a potential fourth running back spot, any special teams ability he shows could help his cause.
• There was a brief skirmish when linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar and tackle Jake Long got tangled up during team drills. The two grabbed each other’s facemasks and shoved each other a bit before being separated.

 

[Faust]

Packers practice report

By Rob Demovsky | ESPN.com

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- On most days, an unexpected surgery for a starting receiver who combined for 22 touchdown catches the last two seasons would be the news of the day.

But Tuesday was no ordinary day in Green Bay Packers’ training camp. It was the debut of new backup quarterback Vince Young (more on that below) and the first look at the offensive line without injured left tackle Bryan Bulaga.

Still, before we get to the rest of what happened on Tuesday, it’s worth noting how the absence of receiver Jordy Nelson impacts the Packers. Nelson, who caught seven touchdowns last season and 15 in 2011, is expected to miss the rest of training camp. Coach Mike McCarthy said he was hopeful Nelson would be ready for the season opener at San Francisco on Sept. 8.

What’s more, receiver Randall Cobb dropped out of practice on Tuesday with what McCarthy called a bicep injury. That means two of the top-three receivers were out. Of that trio, only James Jones remained standing. Given how often the Packers use a three-receiver set, they consider Cobb, Jones and Nelson all to be starters.

Combine that with the fact that two of the top candidates to be the Nos. 4 and 5 receivers -- rookies Kevin Dorsey (leg) and Charles Johnson (knee) -- have been out since the second day of camp, it’s a thin receiver group.

The Packers signed one receiver, rookie Justin Wilson of Delaware State, on Tuesday, but placed another Sederrick Cunningham (wrist) on injured reserve.

One bright spot among the receivers was second-year pro Jarrett Boykin. He made a tough, back-shoulder catch for a 16-yard gain during the no-huddle period. Two plays later, he picked up 20 yards on a post that set up Aaron Rodgers' 16-yard touchdown pass to Jermichael Finley to end the drill. Look for Boykin to get even more opportunities this preseason.

Young’s role: In his first practice in nearly a year, Young spent most of it standing next to quarterbacks coach Ben McAdoo.

Young, who last was on an NFL roster with the Buffalo Bills last August, took only two snaps in team (11-on-11) periods, and both were handoffs. Young took part in all of the individual drills, much of which concentrated on his footwork. McCarthy considers footwork to be an integral part of playing quarterback. As much as Young will have to learn the offense, he also has much to work on in the fundamental aspect of the game.

“You don’t want to spend the majority of your time with that, but just the way the quarterbacks are trained on a day-to-day basis, it’s part of our daily operation,” McCarthy said. “He’ll definitely be trained in it, but we have to teach him the language and get him up to speed.”

Young said there was some carryover from the offense he ran in 2011 with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he spent one season. Then-Eagles coach Andy Reid runs a West Coast offense similar to McCarthy’s.

If Young doesn’t know enough to play in Friday’s preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals, it might be one of the last opportunities for backups Graham Harrell and B.J. Coleman to make a better impression. While Harrell has shown improvement over last season, Coleman has struggled during the first week of training camp.

By signing Young, the Packers clearly sent the message that Harrell and Coleman haven’t convinced them that they could serve as a capable backup.

Odds and ends: David Bakhtiari, who took over for Bulaga at left tackle, won all four of his reps in the one-on-one pass blocking drill, including a turn against outside linebacker Clay Matthews. He improved his camp-long record in that drill to 14-4. Said guard Josh Sitton: “I’ve been impressed by him; he seems to win a lot of his blocks. He’s done really well in the one-on-one drills.” Bakhtiari took all of his reps with the No. 1 offensive line at left tackle. Marshall Newhouse stayed at right tackle, while Don Barclay also took some reps there. ... Every time it appears Jeremy Ross has done enough to allow the Packers to take Cobb off kick return duties, Ross makes another mistake. After returning a kickoff 49 yards during Saturday’s scrimmage, Ross muffed a punt off the machine on Tuesday. ... It should come as no surprise considering how well he performed in Saturday’s scrimmage, but running back Eddie Lacy opened Tuesday’s practice as the starter.

Medical report: In addition to Bulaga, Cobb and Nelson, the other new injuries were: defensive end Datone Jones (illness), running back Alex Green (knee) and defensive tackle Johnny Jolly (cramps). There’s concern about Green because it’s the same knee that he blew out in 2011 and gave him problems last season.

Others who missed practice were: RB DuJuan Harris (knee), S Sean Richardson (neck), CB Casey Hayward (hamstring), CB Tramon Williams (knee), OL JC Tretter (ankle), DE Mike Neal (abdominal), T Derek Sherrod (leg), TE Andrew Quarless (quad), TE Ryan Taylor (knee) and DE Jerel Worthy (knee).

What’s next: The Packers practice at 8:20 a.m. CT on Wednesday.

 

[Faust]

Cutler throws 4 picks, 'O' still learning

 

[netnalp]

http://insidefootball.com/blog/2013/08/the-day-at-camp-august-7-2013/

The Day at Giants Camp: August 7, 2013Training camp is only about a month long, and let’s face it, it can become monotonous at times. So I guess when a story such as Eli and Payton Manning’s video “Football on Your Phone” (F.O.Y.P.), a commercial they did for DirecTV that has since gone viral, comes along, I can understand why it might be the topic of the day.

I watched it a couple of times and it was one of those pieces of work that is so bad it’s good (though personally I thought their first commercial, “Football Cops” was much better.

It’s been interesting to see the reactions to the latest video. Many people seem to love it. Some think it’s a waste of time (the video, for those wondering, was shot back in the spring).

“It got some laughs… got some heat for it as well,” said Eli Manning, one of the co-stars of “F.O.Y.P.” video.

I think the video can actually be a boost to a team that yesterday got a little intense at practice. It’s been said that if you laugh, you can relieve tension, and let’s face it… with starting jobs on the line, with roster spots up for grabs, sometimes a little harmless distraction that breaks that tension can be a good thing.

And if you disagree, then I would argue that it’s better than watching something like this (Warning: may contain adult language).

INJURY REPORT
Defensive end Justin Tuck (back) was added to the injury list with some tightness. Tuck was not on the practice field, as the team held him out as a precautionary. Head coach Tom Coughlin said that if Tuck improves, he’ll play on Saturday.

Tackle Justin Pugh (concussion) is still not cleared to practice; he started out on the bike area and ended up a spectator. Coughlin said he thinks that Pugh, who won’t play against the Steelers, should be good to go next week.

OL James Brewer., who was dinged in a 9-on-7 drill yesterday, did not practice, nor did safety Cooper Taylor (hamstring). Coughlin said that the doctors were optimistic about Taylor’s recovery.

Tight end Larry Donnell (ankle) returned to the practice field and had a touchdown reception. I didn’t see running back Ryan Torain, who was leveled by a linebacker yesterday.

LINEUPS
Coughlin said he expects to let his starters take about 10-15 snaps on Saturday against the Steelers.

Chris Snee is still slowly working his way back into the lineup. With James Brewer and Justin Pugh not expected to play on Saturday, look for second-year man Brandon Mosley to get the start at right guard, in place of Chris Snee, who is also not expected to play on Saturday.

With Tuck out nursing a back problem, Cullen Jenkins moved outside to defensive end with the starters, and Shaun Rogers moved into Jenkins’ spot at defensive tackle. Later in the practice, we also saw Adrian Tracy and Damontre Moore each get some work at defensive end with the starters.

Cornerback Terrell Thomas got some snaps in the nickel package during individual drills. Thomas seems to be moving well when on the field so any butterflies he might have had when stepping put there for the first time this summer yesterday seem to have dissipated.

On the kickoff team, Adrien Robinson, Johnathan Hankins, and Damontre Moore are all getting a chance to work with the first team.

PRACTICE HIGHLIGHTS
*I’ve been really impressed with offensive lineman Brandon Mosley, who as I mentioned in the Lineups section, has been given some snaps at right guard with the starters while Chris Snee works his way back into game shape. Mosley squared off against Mathias Kiwanuka on one play and held his round, staying with Kiwanuka until the whistle blew, showing some feistiness in the process.

I did notice that Mosley takes a slight half step before exploding into his block – this on a running play by Andre Brown — but those little extra steps didn’t hurt the play. It’s something though to watch on Saturday as sometimes those little shuffle steps can delay a lineman from getting into his block.

I asked Coughlin what he has thought about Mosley, who seems to have moved ahead of James Brewer on the depth chart, so far. “He’s had some very good practices,” Coughlin said. “He occasionally suffers from a lack of experience when something new confronts him, but he’s been impressive. He’s tough kid and he’s battling.”

* Another kid who seems to battle well is fullback Ryan D’Imperio. D’Imperio has a little feistiness in him in that he’ll wrestle with his man to the end in the middle of the scrum until the whistle blows. I saw a couple of blocks where he did a nice job of squaring up his man, getting the proper leverage and moving the linebacker out of the hole. He did, however, whiff on an Adrian Tracy charge, as Tracy was in the backfield to disrupt the play.

* In the receivers vs. defensive backs drills, cornerback Trumaine McBride got his hands up in receiver Victor Cruz’s face, not that it mattered as Cruz still managed to separate and come down with the reception, much to the delight of the crowd.

* In 11-on-11s, Eli “Easy E” Manning’s pass intended for Rueben Randle bounced off the receiver’s hands. Even if Randle had caught it, he had Keith Rivers all over him and in position to knock the ball away.

* Offensive guard Stephen Goodin did a good job of blocking linebacker Kyle Bosworth as the running back ran right around them. A few plays later though, Goodin looked confused when Jayron Hosley came on a cornerback blitz. Goodin decided to try to block Hosley at the last minute, but it was too late and Hosley came up with the sack. Goodin was also late in trying to block Adewale Ojomo on a running play.

* Tight end Larry Donnell, balky ankle and all, put forth a text-book style seal block on a defensive end, that enabled Michael Cox to get around the edge for a nice gain. Later on, Donnell did a nice job to slip behind the defensive coverage and into the middle of the field in a seven-on-seven drill to make the catch.

* Offensive lineman Bryant Browning’s footwork is clunky – it seems that he spends a lot of extra movement just to get into a block and then when he does, there isn’t as much power or force behind it, probably a matter of the angle taken.

* Nice job by Da’Rel Scott on a blitz pickup of defensive end Justin Trattou. Scott did well to hold Trattou long enough for the ball to be released.

* Michael Cox is really starting to show something as a kickoff returner. In fact, I’d say he seems to have become more comfortable in that role since the spring. Cox has nice vision – he can spot the open creases and sowed he can anticipate how the blocking is going to develop. Moreover, he has shown to have decent acceleration to hit the creases before they close up. He still looks like he jukes just a little too much out there, which slows him down a tad, but he’s definitely looking much more comfortable in that role.

* Victor Cruz was the easy winner in a matchup against the duo of Corey Webster and Stevie Brown, as on one play, Cruz did what he does best: separate, catch the ball and gain yards after the catch.

*I’m not sure if David Wilson was joking or had a mental lapse, but after catching a swing pass he started to run up field and them looked to square his man and lower his head. There was no collision, but the reason I bring that us is because it’s now illegal for a running back to square up against his man and lower the crown of his helmet as if he was going to ram him.

* André Brown really went after Aaron Ross on a pass blocking situation. Ross was coming in on a blitz and Brown just wasn’t giving up any ground to the defender. Brown later made a spectacular one-handed catch on a pass thrown off balance by Curtis Painter.

* Safety Junior Mertile had a chance for a pick on a pass by Curtis Painter to Louis Murphy, but Mertile failed to adjust on the ball. No mater though as Mertile did eventually get his third interception of camp, this one on a poorly thrown pass by Ryan Nassib.

* Safety Tyler Sash very nearly came up with another pick for the defense on an Eli Manning pass intended for Louis Murphy. Sash, however, collided with Antrel Rolle, but give him credit for breaking up the play.

* Adrien Robinson looked good blocking linebacker Aaron Curry. Robinson has done a better job of getting low and setting his base, and that has helped him win some of those blocking battles against linebackers.

* Coughlin wasn’t kidding when he said that defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins was a load to handle. In the two-minute drill, Jenkins, lined up inside, gave Kevin Boothe a bit of trouble, nearly getting his big hand up on a pass to knock it down.

UPON FURTHER REVIEW
When the Giants take the field on Saturday for their first preseason game, Eli Manning will once again have a new receiving tight end to work with, that being Brandon Myers, the former Raider who had his breakout season last year with 79 receptions.

So how has it been for Manning to work with fourth new tight end in the last four seasons?

“He is smart. He is kind of learning this offense that is completely different from what he’s been used to. There are a few things, there’s some teaching points, but he’s starting to understand it,” Manning said.

“He’s starting to comprehend everything and he’s doing a good job of getting open. He is athletic. He runs good routes. He catches the ball well, so hopefully he can be a big part of this offense and get us a bunch of catches.”

Myers, who’s not much of a talker, said that his progression in the offense has been coming along.

“It’s complex but it’s good once you start to get things down, get on the same page, like I said, learn all the calls, but it’s been good.”

It also helps that he’s working with a quarterback who has been through this before as far as breaking in new tight ends.

“It’s been great. He’s a proven winner, he has great command of the offense,” said Myers. “ Any time you can do what you’re supposed to do and be in the right position and be on the same page as Eli, he’s going to find you. He’s great about that, so it’s been good.”

SAY WHAT?
“I think it’s a consensus that Peyton is a little more outgoing, a little more outspoken, but I thought Eli stole the show there.” – Punter Steve Weatherford, offering his critique of the Manning brothers’ “Football on Your Phone” commercial for DirectTV.

UP NEXT
The Giants conclude practice for this week tomorrow, weather permitting. Practice is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m.

 

[Faust]

Redskins practice: Notes and observations

By John Keim | ESPN.com

Highlights from Tuesday's Washington Redskins' practice:

• Redskins coach Mike Shanahan missed practice to attend the funeral of a close friend. Assistant head coach/running backs coach Bobby Turner ran practice. Turner has been with Shanahan for 18 years and has excelled at grooming running backs who fit the stretch zone system. But Turner is a man of few words who doesn't enjoy talking to the media. He took no questions in his post-practice press conference, instead reading a 115-word statement.

The Redskins worked in shells instead of shoulder pads, which means there won’t be many observations because players don’t go at the same speed as when they have pads on. It’s particularly tough to gauge a lineman’s day in this situation. With the preseason opener two days away it’s not a surprise that they would go in shells.

• There’s an excellent chance that the Redskins will open with three rookies in the secondary against the Titans, thanks in part to injuries. They are: corner David Amerson who will replace DeAngelo Hall, sitting out after hurting his ankle earlier in camp; safety Bacarri Rambo, the starter from the first day of camp; and safety Phillip Thomas, who would start if Brandon Meriweather does not. It’s unlikely Meriweather would play considering he only returned to full work Monday after a week off because of his right knee.

• It’s also hard to imagine that another starting corner, Josh Wilson, started playing fulltime only recently because of offseason shoulder surgery. Wilson looked solid in 11-on-11 work.

• Amerson made a leaping interception on a deep out thrown by Rex Grossman. Amerson also did a nice job in press coverage against Pierre Garcon. He did a good job with his left hand on a jam, mirrored Garcon’s movements and made a sharp break when he cut. The quarterback looked elsewhere. Amerson struggled early in camp with some holds -- he straddled the line between a good jam and a hold several days in a row -- but he looked good on this route.

• Left tackle Trent Williams, wearing a hard cast with padding on his left wrist, isn’t sure if he’ll play Monday. He did take work with the starters during the 11-on-11 portion. But Williams’ hand is completely covered by the padding, leaving him with one hand to use against pass- rushers. Williams said he wants to play. “Yeah, it’s football,” he said.

• It wasn’t a big play, but it’s one I liked nonetheless. Thomas came up against the run on a run by Chris Thompson, but he did so under control. Thompson initially appeared headed outside, but Thomas took that away with his angle. When Thompson cut back inside, Thomas easily reacted to the cut. He was patient and balanced. One of Thomas’ biggest adjustments is learning how to fit on the run; he did a nice job on this one. Secondary coach Raheem Morris helps by often asking questions of him on the field -- like what he was looking at in a particular coverage -- rather than just telling him what he needed to do.

• The four players who returned kickoffs Tuesday: Niles Paul, Evan Royster, Nick Williams and Skye Dawson.

• Four players sat out Tuesday: tight end Jordan Reed (bruised foot), fullback Eric Kettani (knee), guard Josh LeRibeus (hyperextended knee) and guard/tackle Maurice Hurt (knee).

• New special teams coach Keith Burns is not as loud as his predecessor, Danny Smith. But when he has a point to make, it gets made. When working with his first kick coverage unit, Burns was displeased with how they handled their execution, yelling about how some used their hands. He shouted at them to “go again!” They did. This time, they did it better.

 

[Faust]

Top 25 NFC position battles: Who's winning?

By Gregg Rosenthal

Around The League Editor

With preseason games set to start, we wanted to revisit our top 25 camp battles in each conference to see how things have shaken out so far. On Tuesday, we recapped the AFC. You can probably guess what's below:

25. Arizona Cardinals wide receiver: Michael Floyd vs. Andre Roberts

Last year's first-round draft pick, Floyd, got a fresh start with the new coaching staff, and he's taking advantage. He's the starter, and we'd be surprised if that changes.

24. Seattle Seahawks backup running back: Christine Michael vs. Robert Turbin

Michael has wowed onlookers at camp, while Turbin missed a week of practice. Michael might be too talented to keep off the field. No matter who wins here, the Seahawks could have the best running back group in football.

23. The Carolina Panthers' entire secondary

Charles Godfrey should have one safety spot locked down. Former Oakland Raiders bust Mike Mitchell has received the majority of reps on the other side. Captain Munnerlyn and Drayton Florence lead the way at cornerback. The fighting Joshes (Norman and Thomas) are backups.

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end: Tom Crabtree vs. Luke Stocker

We probably didn't need 25 position battles in each conference, did we? (Stocker is listed as the team's starter, although he was on active/physically unable to perform list until Monday.

21. Detroit Lions wide receiver: Ryan Broyles vs. his knee

Broyles is one of the stories of Lions camp, showing no side effects of his latest ACL surgery. A healthy Broyles would be a huge boon to the Lions' offense.

20. Philadelphia Eagles safety: Nate Allen vs. Patrick Chung vs. Kenny Phillips vs. Kurt Coleman

Coleman is battling just to stay on the team. Phillips and Chung appear to be first in line for the starting gigs, but reviews have been mixed for the entire secondary.

19. New Orleans Saints running back: Pierre Thomas vs. Mark Ingram

Thomas remains in front for now, although Ingram is enjoying a strong camp. The Saints have the potential to have a great running attack.

18. Dallas Cowboys strongside linebacker: Justin Durant vs. Alex Albright vs. Brandon Magee

This is Durant's job. Consider the battle over.

17. St. Louis Rams wide receiver: Brian Quick vs. Austin Pettis

I'm driving the Chris Given bandwagon and Tavon Austin is going to play most downs. Quick, last year's No. 32 overall pick, remains fourth in line behind Pettis. Quick reportedly has made strides but the coaching staff seems to trust Pettis more.

16. Eagles backup running back: Bryce Brown vs. Felix Jones vs. Chris Polk

We have a new player in the mix! Polk has been the "most improved" back on the Eagles, according to coach Chip Kelly. It's a three-man race behind LeSean McCoy, and the Philadelphia Inquirer says it's not that crazy to imagine Polk winning the job.

15. Cardinals safety: Tyrann Mathieu vs. Rashad Johnson vs. Yeremiah Bell

The Honey Badger is forcing his way on to the field with a sensational camp. He's been called one of the best "pound-for-pound" players in camp. Consider me intrigued.

14. Panthers No. 3 receiver: Ted Ginn vs. The Field

The loser in this battle: Cam Newton. The team should have upgraded the position to help Newton out. Ginn still appears to be in the lead, although Armanti Edwards surprisingly is making noise. Domenik Hixon also is in the mix.

13. Saints left tackle: Charles Brown vs. Terron Armstead

Here's another battle that looks all but over. Brown has enjoyed a strong camp and is going to protect Drew Brees' blindside.

12. Cardinals running back: Rashard Mendenhall vs. The Field

Mendenhall missed a handful of practices, but he still looks like the clear go-to guy. Ryan Williams might not make the team because of injuries. Rookies Andre Ellington and Stepfan Taylor reportedly have impressed coach Bruce Arians.

11. Rams running back: Daryl Richardson vs. Isaiah Pead vs. Zac Stacy

Rams coach Jeff Fisher indicated that Richardson is first in line for the starting running back job, even though carries will be spread around. Fisher seems like a good source on the matter.

10. Washington Redskins tight end battle royale

Fred Davis is truly healthy for the first time in a long time and should be the starter. This has a chance to be a real position of strength with Niles Paul, Logan Paulsen and rookie Jordan Reed all in the mix.

9. New York Giants middle linebacker: Mark Herzlich vs. Dan Connor

There isn't any reason to believe Herzlich won't win this job. The Giants seem very confident in him.

8. Minnesota Vikings middle linebacker: Erin Henderson vs. Desmond Bishop

They both should start, but coach Leslie Frazier confirmed Henderson should stay in the middle. Bishop will be a strongside linebacker but is struggling with a groin injury.

7. Vikings wide receiver: Cordarrelle Patterson vs. Jarius Wright vs. Jerome Simpson

The Vikings drafted Patterson in the first round to replace Percy Harvin, but they could be wary of putting too much on his plate right away. Wright reportedly has enjoyed a strong camp, and Simpson remains listed as a starter. Patterson's usage is very much up in the air.

6. San Francisco 49ers wide receiver: A.J. Jenkins vs. Ricardo Lockette vs. Kyle Williams vs. Mario Manningham's health

Bad signs for this group: San Francisco signed two more wide receivers, including Austin Collie. Williams hasn't been healthy, and Jenkins has been up and down. Coach Jim Harbaugh still is waiting for clarity.

5. Chicago Bears middle linebacker: D.J. Williams vs. Jon Bostic

Williams clearly had the edge early, with Bostic only lining up as the second-team middle linebacker. A calf injury has made Williams "week-to-week" and provided Bostic a chance to take the job.

4. 49ers cornerback: Carlos Rogers vs. Tarell Brown vs. Chris Culliver vs. Nnamdi Asomugha

Culliver tore his ACL, while Eric Wright's trade to the 49ers fell through. Wright still could join the team if he gets healthy. Asomugha is listed as a backup, and it probably will stay that way.

3. Green Bay Packers running back: Eddie Lacy vs. Johnathan Franklin vs. DuJuan Harris vs. ...

Harris still is listed as a starter, but he remains on the active/PUP list. Lacy put conditioning questions to rest and has emerged as the favorite to start, while veteran James Starks has enjoyed a big camp. Franklin is angling for third-down snaps. Alex Green might not make the team.

2. Packers cornerback potpourri

The Packers' cornerback group is very talented, deep and banged up. Casey Hayward (hamstring) should be the team's slot cornerback, but might not practice for a while. Tramon Williams is a favorite to start, but a knee injury could force him to miss the preseason. Sam Shields and Davon House will get more practice reps as starters in the meantime. Shields should stick as a starter.

1. Eagles quarterback: Michael Vick vs. Nick Foles

This battle remains too close to call, but all signs point toward Vick having the edge. Foles might need to dominate in the preseason for a chance to start Week 1.

The Around The League Podcast is now available on iTunes! Click here to listen and subscribe.

 

[Faust]

Russell Wilson Effect evident at Seattle Seahawks training camp

By Ian Rapoport

Reporter, NFL.com and NFL Network

RENTON, Wash. -- With music blaring, the energy from the practice field is nearly as loud as the tunes. Pete Carroll has always been a high-octane guy who warmly welcomes all competition, and the Seattle Seahawks have assumed the form of their fourth-year coach.

Veterans who should be secure fear being cut. Rookies know they have a chance to start. In the gorgeous setting around the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, everything is placid -- except for the action on the field. Seattle is ready for Act 2 after playing a breakout role in 2012.

Here are five things I learned during my day in Renton:

1) The decision to start Russell Wilson has left its mark:

The Seahawks' 2012 campaign began with a stunning move, as Carroll announced that Wilson -- and not free-agent signee Matt Flynn -- would be his starting quarterback. For most of us who hadn't watched the competition day in and day out, it was beyond explanation. "The fact that you guys didn't see it (made it a surprise)," Carroll told me. "The conventional wisdom was you'd never do that. But he's that good. And we could tell. He still has to go out and do it and prove it." Yes, he is that good. Wilson clearly established himself as one of the pillars of the franchise's future last season, guiding the Seahawks to an 11-5 mark and falling just short of the NFC Championship Game. Looking back on the move, Carroll said, "The bad thing would've been to not name Russell, because he was the guy. He won the job." Who cares that he was an unproven rookie? He earned it. A year later, this mentality is not lost on players. They know this: Everyone's job is simultaneously in jeopardy and attainable. One secure veteran recently went to his position coach and innocently asked if he's on the roster bubble. Meanwhile, 25-year-old corner Walter Thurmond knows he has a chance at the nickel job, despite the Seahawks signing 14-year veteran Antoine Winfield in free agency. The message is loud and clear: The depth chart is completely fluid. This is the way Carroll has always done it, but the Wilson decision really hammered home his unwavering devotion to open competition. "There comes a time when you have opportunities to really demonstrate that," Carroll said. "That was one of the best ones." The result is a stronger team with players who know they have to perform on a daily basis.

2) OK, so what's next for the Seahawks' sophomore signal-caller?

One common misconception is that the Seahawks' offense is read-option based. Not true. Yes, they run some read option, but it's not the majority of their playbook. In fact, Wilson considers himself a quarterback who happens to run, not a running quarterback. This came up during my talk with creative offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. I openly wondered about what kind of adjustments Wilson will need to make, as teams gear up to stop him by diagnosing 2012 game film. Bevell seemed to move past last year to ... whatever this year's version is. "We're always looking for the next thing, the thing that can help us get better," Bevell told me. "(Read-option plays) were a small part of what we did. It wasn't a huge part of the offense. We have so many other things that we can do, that we feel like are strengths for us. It's not something that we hang our hat on. We hang our hat on running the ball, and we still have the ability to do that." Not what you're looking to hear as an opposing defensive coordinator.

3) Losing Percy Harvin stings, but Seattle can withstand it:

In considering the question of how much the Seahawks "lost" when Harvin went down with a hip injury, think about this: They went on an offensive rampage in the back half of last season and won six of their final seven games (including the playoffs) without him. With Golden Tate having a strong camp and capable of playing inside, Sidney Rice back in the fold after a trip to Switzerland for a non-surgical treatment on his knee and a slew of other options at receiver (Early Doucet, Doug Baldwin, Stephen Williams), the cupboard isn't bare. "It's a loss in terms of the potential," Bevell said, "but it happened early. It wasn't like we had this whole new piece that we had to replace that has been in there a long time. We're just going as we have been." Seattle hopes Harvin can return for the stretch run, with a Dec. 2 game against the New Orleans Saints as a possible target. By the time surgery was recommended by Dr. Bryan Kelly in New York, Seattle's team doctors were behind the move, too. Everyone just wants the receiver to be healthy and productive, which they think he will be in time. Until then, the offense will simply look like last year's edition -- not the worst thing.

4) Pass rushers are waiting ... for now:

The first thing I noticed upon entering the practice facility? Three key pass rushers sitting out. Cliff Avril, Chris Clemons and Bruce Irvin were all reduced to watching the action, just like the throngs of fans on the hill. "If pass rushers or corners are watching, that does not fire you up," bright new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn quipped. Both Carroll and Quinn insinuated it was a short-term problem, though. Carroll said Avril (foot) should be back next week. The head coach also praised Clemons' rehab from a torn ACL: "Whether he makes it back for the opener, I don't know. He's going to be close, anyway. That means we get him soon after." In the meantime, though, much to Quinn's delight, other players have emerged. This, you see, is the defensive boss' favorite facet of camp: "What I love about preseason is, every year it's like, 'Where did that dude come from?' " This year, two rookies have caught Quinn's eye: outside linebacker John Lotulelei from UNLV and pass rusher Benson Mayowa from Idaho. I looked quizzically as he mentioned the names, seeing as both players went undrafted in April. "You haven't heard of these guys," Quinn said, "But you will. These dudes are going for it." Of course, when you have one of the NFL's nastiest secondaries in the "Legion of Boom," getting to the quarterback becomes an easier pursuit.

5) High expectations suit this club:

The Seahawks are no longer under the radar. They aren't anybody's darlings or a cool pick to splash into the playoffs. They are, simply, a very good team expected to be very good. Their world has changed. What I wanted to know from Carroll, who spends considerable energy managing his team's emotions, is how the Seahawks are handling the public's view of them. How do you prepare for such an onslaught of hype? "By, along the way, first thing picturing it was going to be like this," Carroll said. "That was in our message from the day we got here. So that when it comes, it's not a surprise. And as the attention increases and the conversation develops, you have to handle it in normal fashion and treat it like you've been there before." It's a savvy approach, one based in knowing the team will eventually succeed. Carroll's goal is to talk about it, address it, get used to it, so it'll feel normal. The division will be tough, maybe the NFL's toughest. They are OK with that. And if the Seahawks hit it big this year, the players won't be surprised, because they've been expecting it. "This conversation's been going for four years," Carroll said. "And you got to embrace it."

Follow Ian Rapoport on Twitter @RapSheet.

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

According to the NY Daily News, "it's no secret" GM John Idzik is pulling for Geno Smith to win the Jets' quarterback job.
This has been clear since Idzik signed David Garrard in hopes of knocking Mark Sanchez off the roster. (Garrard retired.) Coach Rex Ryan is expected to name a starter "in the run-up" to New York's third preseason game. Sanchez will start the exhibition opener, and Smith the second game. The top performer will start preseason game No. 3. Through 14 training camp practices, Smith has thrown one interception. Sanchez has been his usual turnover-prone self.


Source: New York Daily News

Matt Barkley has yet to take a first-team rep in Eagles camp.
Coach Chip Kelly claimed Barkley would have a "chance" at the starting job, but it's predictably not going to happen. It remains a mystery why Kelly drafted the weak-armed, lead-footed former USC Trojan, but it most certainly wasn't to start games in 2013. Barkley is a big name, nothing more.


Source: Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News

Jarrett Boykin and Jeremy Ross are competing in training camp to be the Packers' No. 4 receiver.
It's become a somewhat important battle since Jordy Nelson underwent knee surgery. Green Bay is a three-wide team, and only Randall Cobb and James Jones are locks to be ready for Week 1. Boykin is the favorite, despite his speed deficiencies. Ultimately, neither Boykin nor Ross is a candidate for re-draft value.

Related: Jeremy Ross

Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

According to the Newark Star-Ledger, Giants TE Brandon Myers "seems to be the perfect fit" for Eli Manning.
Per reporter Conor Orr, the duo has been "connecting on some long passes," and developing a red-zone rapport. Myers is unlikely to approach his 2012 numbers (79/806/4) with the cupboard being more fully stocked in New York than Oakland, but could prove a nifty plug-and-play TE1, particularly in PPR leagues.


Source: Newark Star-Ledger

Steelers third-round WR Markus Wheaton has been spending time with the first-team offense in the slot.
Wheaton has also spent some time spelling Emmanuel Sanders on the outside. The Steelers are extremely thin at receiver behind Antonio Brown and Sanders, with only used-up veterans Plaxico Burress and Jerricho Cotchery as fallback options. Wheaton could see major slot snaps, putting him on the PPR radar.


Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

ESPN New York calls Stephen Hill the Jets' most improved player this summer.
Per reporter Rich Cimini, Hill has impressed with his "improved mechanics and route running." Hill boasts a rare size/speed combo (6-foot-4, 215 pounds with 4.36 wheels), but was extremely raw coming out of option-based Georgia Tech. Hill's flashes of brilliance as a rookie were typically paired up with a mind-numbing mistake. Still only 22, Hill has a monster ceiling, but his development figures to remain slow with the Jets' quarterback situation still a mess.


Source: ESPN New York

Fifth-round pick Kenny Stills has been working as the Saints' No. 3 receiver since Joseph Morgan's ACL tear.
Stills is working in three-receiver sets with Lance Moore and Marques Colston, who just got back from a foot injury. Nick Toon is Colston's primary backup, with Stills ahead for three-wide duty while also directly backing up Moore. Stills is worth monitoring, but he's unlikely to develop any re-draft fantasy value.


Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune

After watching Eagles practice, FOX Sports' Jay Glazer observed "it doesn't seem like there's any question at all" that Michael Vick will be the team's quarterback.
More plugged in with players than any reporter in the country, Glazer surely ran his observation by sources before going forward with it. Of course, it's an obvious observation. Although Chip Kelly has done a masterful job of convincing local media Nick Foles is a legitimate contender for the starting job, the idea has always been absurd on paper. Unsurprisingly, beat writers have started pegging Vick as the favorite after observing practice. Foles simply doesn't possess the athleticism necessary to pilot Kelly's offense. We'd be shocked if Vick — and his $3.5 million signing bonus — aren't under center come Week 1.

Related: Nick Foles

Source: Jay Glazer on Twitter

Rookie WR Keenan Allen mixed in with the first-team offense during the Chargers' first practice without Danario Alexander (torn ACL).
Vincent Brown (hamstring) was rested for some reps, and Allen benefited by working with the ones opposite Malcom Floyd and Eddie Royal. Brown is out for San Diego's preseason opener, so Allen should get opportunities to play with the Philip Rivers group in three-wideout sets. He's the No. 4 receiver right now.


Source: Union-Tribune San Diego

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Devin Hester is practicing solely as a returner.
That had been the expectation since Marc Trestman was hired. GM Phil Emery is expecting a big season. "He's got a light," Emery said. "He feels very good about where his body is at, where his mind is at, to have that type of season and we're looking forward to watching him." Hester is completely off the fantasy radar.


Source: ESPN Chicago

Raiders rookie RB Latavius Murray (undisclosed) returned to practice on Wednesday.
Murray missed nearly two weeks of practice with an undisclosed ailment. It's worth noting he missed June's minicamp with a foot injury. Murray is in the running to be Darren McFadden's handcuff — an important fantasy position — but his injury has given veteran Rashad Jennings a leg up on No. 2 duties.


Source: Jerry McDonald on Twitter

Colts GM Ryan Grigson pinpointed TE Coby Fleener as the team's second-year player poised for the biggest leap.
"He’s a guy that you knew had speed, had size being 6-foot-6 and running 4.51," said Grigson. "You know he could be a tough mismatch downfield because he could play above the rim." Grigson said Fleener is making "Wow" plays in camp, and "it’s really come across like he’s ready to have a great year." While Dwayne Allen and Reggie Wayne handle short to intermediate pass-catching duties, Grigson says the Colts "want (Fleener) to be a threat downfield."


Source: Profootballtalk on NBC Sports

ESPN believes fifth-round WR Tavarres King is making a "legitimate push" to be the Broncos' No. 4 receiver.
Per reporter Jeff Legwold, King has displayed "upper-level ball skills," and the ability to "make plays in traffic." OC Adam Gase praised King last week, saying he's "made some big plays down the field," and "done a good job of not being the guy we are calling out to fix things." Just one injury away from a big role in one of the league's most dynamic offenses, King is a name to file away.


Source: ESPN.com

ESPN Broncos blogger Jeff Legwold reports Montee Ball is "already at the top tier" of Denver's backfield rotation as the "No. 1B" to Ronnie Hillman's "No. 1A" through two weeks of training camp.
In other words, Ball is nipping at Hillman's heels. As Legwold notes, Ball weighs 214 pounds compared to Hillman's 195, making the rookie a better red-zone option. Legwold also reports Ball has shown "good vision, quick feet" and "better hands in the passing game than some scouts believed." To grab a true workhorse role, Ball is still going to have to make big strides in pass protection.


Source: ESPN.com

Vikings WR Jarius Wright has been turning heads in camp.
ESPN's Kevin Seifert calls Wright the "most impressive receiver" in Vikes camp. "He's done a fantastic job outside the numbers as well as in the slot," OC Bill Musgrave said. Wright should see most of his time in the slot, but Seifert believes he could occasionally kick outside. Wright has big-play ability, but as the No. 3 receiver, at best, in Christian Ponder's offense, his fantasy upside is low.


Source: ESPN.com

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll praised fourth-round WR Chris Harper Wednesday.
"He’s learning fast, he’s a real smart kid," Carroll said. "He has improved right before our eyes in the things he was going earlier that he picked up on. He’s doing a good job and we expect to see get the ball and do some things in (Friday's preseason opener)." A load of a man at 6-foot-1, 229 pounds, Percy Harvin's injury has increased Harper's odds of getting on the field as a rookie, but we still wouldn't expect him to see many snaps behind incumbent X receiver Golden Tate. Doug Baldwin will man the slot.


Source: Seattle Times

Maurice Jones-Drew says there's "no pain" in his surgically-repaired left foot, and that he's "back to normal again."
"I'm cutting great, no swelling," Jones-Drew said Wednesday. It's unclear if Jones-Drew will be active for Friday's preseason opener, but it certainly sounds like he's healthy enough to play. Either way, MJD's reps figure to be extremely limited this exhibition season. The Jags have everything to lose and nothing to gain by overexposing their aging lead back in August.


Source: Gene Frenette on Twitter

The Falcons have "positioned Steven Jackson all over the line of scrimmage" in training camp practices.
Jackson has been lining up out wide, in the slot, and in his traditional spot in the backfield, and he believes the offense is trying to get him one-on-one with linebackers as much as possible. "It reminds me of my younger years in St. Louis when I was used more as a receiver out of the backfield," Jackson said. "It allows me to use more tools in the shed that I have and possess." The Falcons couldn't do any of this with Michael Turner. Jackson is shaping up as a borderline RB1 with slightly more value in PPR formats.


Source: atlantafalcons.com

 

[ChainsawU]

 

[Faust]

No reason why Texans can't get over the playoff hump this season

Pat Kirwan

The Texans are a solid team, division winner, but unable to get over the top in the playoffs.

Owner Bob McNair wants more mental toughness. Coaches and front office people want the team to stay healthy and get to the playoffs intact. Players don't care about the past. There is a tremendous focus from the quarterback to the 90th guy in camp that they will get to the ultimate goal with hard work.

The pieces are in place for a legitimate run. Now it's a matter of going out and doing it.

For me, it was a rewarding trip, and the team couldn't do enough to give me a good look at this squad. I got time with McNair, GM Rick Smith, head coach Gary Kubiak, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, and players Matt Schaub, JJ Watt, DeAndre Hopkins, Chris Myers, Duane Brown and Johnathan Joseph.

The stretch from Week 3 to Week 5 will tell us all we need to know about Houston -- at the Ravens, home against the Seahawks, at the 49ers. If the Texans want to take the next big step, an 0-3 mark against those three cannot be acceptable.

Things I heard or saw at practice

1. First-round WR DeAndre Hopkins went one-on-one with CB Johnathan Joseph over and over and won his fair share of battles for the ball. Watching Hopkins and Andre Johnson work resembled Roddy White and Julio Jones working for the Falcons.

2. All-Pro LT Duane Brown worked against undrafted rookie OLB Willie Jefferson and it was an impressive battle. Brown later said he has taken Jefferson under his wing and is teaching him the tricks of the trade. Jefferson looks better than 2013 draft picks Sam Montgomery and Trevardo Williams.

3. An undrafted returner made a big impression at practice. Dennis Johnson -- a 5-foot-7, 193-pounder -- has a chance to make this team as the return specialist and backup running back. He makes people miss.

4. With Ed Reed on the sidelines, rookie safety DJ Swearinger is getting lots of work in the secondary. He has a nasty streak in him and the veterans are impressed with his physical style.

5. There's little doubt the Texans offense will roll through many personnel groups looking for matchup issues, and there will be even more no-huddle packages this year. Keep an eye on three players who will maneuver all the combinations of personnel -- WR Keyshawn Martin, FB Greg Jones and TE Garrett Graham. All three were impressive in practice and present unique problems to a defense.

6. I was impressed with nose tackle Earl Mitchell. After only three starts last year, he will get a chance to be a full-time starter. Phillips compares his skills to a nose tackle he had in Dallas, Jay Ratliff. Mitchell is a former college running back who uses excellent quickness to penetrate and is perfectly suited to work with Watt.

7. Speaking of Watt, he was talking about what offensive linemen try and do to him when he is blocking passes. He said guys try to punch him in the gut when he leaps, but he has figured out how to make them miss while he's knocking down passes. He also said he worked all offseason on his third pass rush move to counter things blockers are trying to take away.

8. McNair is the fourth owner on my tour of NFL training camps to tell me he is in favor of expanding the game-day roster to 50 players, especially if the league is taking player safety so seriously.

9. Kubiak has had a physical camp but is starting to pull back on the hitting and tackling after six days of good work.

10. Newly acquired punter Shane Lechler was a guy McNair told me they tried to sign four years ago and finally got him this year. Lechler had a 72-yard punt with a 5.2 hang time the other day, which brought a smile to the owner's face.

Storylines to follow

1. Will Hopkins be ready to be a factor right away? I say yes after watching him work and how athletic he is against very good corners. He told me his personal goal is to be rookie of the year and I think he has a chance. I wouldn't be surprised if he catches 50 passes and scores eight touchdowns.

2. Can last year's 16th-ranked pass defense improve, especially against good passing teams like the Patriots? In the playoffs last year, the Texans gave up 344 passing yards and three touchdowns to Tom Brady without an interception and only one sack. Ed Reed will help create the big turnover they desperately need and the defense might play less man-to-man than they did last year and employ more zone pressures. Getting nickel corner Brice McCain back from a late-season injury will also help. I expect an increase in their "big nickel" package with three safeties on the field to combat the flex tight ends and running backs who are serious threats out of the backfield.

3. Can Arian Foster keep up the pace he's on? In the past three seasons, he has averaged 372 touches. It appears the Texans would like to see Ben Tate carry a heavier load. He has looked very good at practice -- an encouraging sign that the team doesn't have to wear Foster out.

4. Can the Texans score more through the air? Matt Schaub threw for more than 4,000 yards last year but connected on only 22 touchdown passes. Schaub tied Joe Flacco and Carson Palmer for 15th in the league. Of course, Flacco led his team to a Super Bowl title, so maybe 22 is good enough. The truth is the Texans will need more in the playoffs and they are building a better passing attack this summer. Schaub has thrown two touchdown passes in 90 postseason pass plays. I believe Schaub will close in on 30 touchdown passes this year.

5. What are the Texans doing to enhance their run game? Center Chris Myers said they are expanding their power run game with angle blocking and pulling linemen. Don't be surprised if you see Myers pull occasionally, but he made it clear Wade Smith is their best pulling lineman.

6. How patient is McNair? Some would have you believe he is frustrated and contemplating changes if the team doesn't go deeper in the playoffs. McNair knows injuries played a part in the playoff loss and he likes the moves the team has made to fortify the roster. At no time in our talk did I get a sense that the coaches are on a short leash.

7. Rookie report: First-rounder Hopkins will be a Day One starter and a major factor. Second-rounder Swearinger will play in packages -- the veterans love his style. The two third-round picks, OLB Sam Montgomery and OT Brennan Williams, aren't in the picture to help and it looks like the light hasn't gone on yet. In fact, other rookies are ahead of them right now. Fourth-round OLB Williams will be a special-teams guy. Of the four sixth-round picks, only OG/OT David Quessenberry is a factor. He should make this team because of his athletic ability and versatility.

8. Guys on the bubble: A few years ago, this team was looking for warm bodies, but now competition is everywhere and a few veterans will have to work to make the final roster. Linebacker Joe Mays was brought in; that means Tim Dobbins has to fight for a roster spot. The Texans will probably keep eight defensive backs; that puts guys like Roc Carmichael and Keo Shiloh in a position to fight for a spot. If Houston keeps three tight ends, then backup fullback Tyler Clutts will be in a difficult spot.

9. Final thoughts: The Texans should win the division again, but the Colts are closing the gap. Brown didn't shed a tear when Dwight Freeney left the division. This team reminds me of the Ravens when they kept knocking on the door and missing before last season. Houston needs home-field advantage, which they blew last year, if they want to advance to the AFC Championship Game. I think they will win two rounds in the playoffs before the season comes to an end.

 

[Faust]

Camp Confidential: San Diego Chargers

By Bill Williamson | ESPN.com

SAN DIEGO -- Gone is the omnipresent GM lurking from the large deck that hovers over the practice field.

Gone is the comfortable head coach who went at his own pace.

It’s a new day for the San Diego Chargers. There is new energy in America’s Finest City.

Change was badly needed. The Chargers arguably had the best roster in the NFL five years ago, but it never paid off. The lack of success finally cost general manager A.J. Smith and coach Norv Turner their jobs after another lackluster season in 2012.

The Chargers’ fans demanded new leadership for the stagnant franchise. They got their wish. The Chargers now have some of the youngest, freshest leaders in football as the team moves past the stale days of the Smith-Turner era.

Smith was famous for watching practice from the deck of his office. New general manager Tom Telesco, 40, watches practice from the sideline. There are no messages of pecking order being sent from the general manager’s office. Telesco, in a camp-issued T-shirt and shorts, could easily be mistaken for an equipment manager.

The head-coaching switch from Turner to Mike McCoy, 41, is almost as distinctive as the change at GM. McCoy’s practices have appeared to be crisper and more detailed-oriented than in the past. There isn’t much downtime in San Diego’s practices. Everyone’s moving at all times. That wasn’t always the case under Turner.

“I think we’re getting a lot done,” quarterback Philip Rivers said. “Coach McCoy clearly has a plan. It’s been impressive. ... The big thing is everyone has bought in to him. The reality is we are .500 over the past three years. It was pretty easy to buy in what’s now going on here.”

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. The quarterback:

Rivers is a major focal point of this training camp. Telesco hired McCoy, Denver’s former offensive coordinator, with an eye toward fixing Rivers. The quarterback has struggled the past couple of years, particularly with turnovers. McCoy and new offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, the former head coach of Arizona, form a strong quarterback-coaching tandem and quarterback coach Frank Reich is also highly regarded. All three men believe in Rivers, and it seems to be paying off. Rivers has looked fantastic in training camp. His confidence is high, and his passes are accurate. It is vital for both Rivers and the Chargers that he has a good season and the team continues build around him. If not, it could be a crossroads season for both the franchise and Rivers’ career.

2. The offensive line:

Because of injuries, this unit has been terrible the past couple of years. No matter how much Rivers improves, he won’t have much of a chance if he doesn't have protection. The Chargers' line has four new starters. It is not a great unit, and there will be some growing pains. But the group is getting rave reviews for being athletic and tough. Rivers is impressed and trusts the group. He thinks it’s deeper with players such as rookie D.J. Fluker at right tackle and veterans King Dunlap and Max Starks competing at left tackle. Dunlap is leading the race. But if there are injuries, this group appears better equipped to weather them than last year's squad.

3. The rookie linebacker:

The Chargers are thrilled with inside linebacker Manti Te'o. He will start in the team’s 3-4 schemes. He has looked good in training camp and has fit in with the locker room. The hoax he was involved in at Notre Dame is not a factor. The Chargers love the way he works and practices. He is instinctive, and he plays faster on the field than his combine times suggested. The Chargers think Te’o is ready to make a big impact.

REASON FOR OPTIMISM

The Chargers are loaded with young talent on defense. Any defense that has Eric Weddle at safety, Te’o and Donald Butler at inside linebacker and Corey Liuget and Kendall Reyes at defensive end is an impressive group.

I think these players will be the core to one of the better defenses in the coming years. The Chargers are doing backflips over the combination of Liuget and Reyes. Liuget is entering his third NFL season, and Reyes is entering his second. Liuget was terrific all of last season, and Reyes showed serious pass-rush potential toward the end of the season.

While this defense has some holes, there are some exciting pieces here.

REASON FOR PESSIMISM

The Chargers are pretty thin in a lot of places. I think this team is on the rise, but it may not be a quick fix. There are too many positions where depth is an issue.

San Diego has dealt with the injury bug already. Pass-rusher Melvin Ingram, the No. 18 overall pick in 2012, suffered a torn ACL in May. Starting receiver Danario Alexander and backup linebacker Jonas Mouton suffered the same injury during camp.

Alexander's and Ingram’s injuries are particularly worrisome. This team can’t afford to lose high-end talent before the season starts. Other positions vulnerable to injuries include the offensive line (even though the depth is better than in the past), defensive tackle, edge rushers and the secondary. There isn’t much wiggle room on this roster.

OBSERVATION DECK

• The Chargers appear to be well-coached. The influx of offensive coaches and the return of several defensive coaches, led by coordinator John Pagano, makes for a nice mix. Most of the new blood was needed on the offensive side of the ball.

• The team feels great about Dwight Freeney, who was signed to replace Ingram. The Chargers are convinced Freeney still has something left in the tank and will be a difference-maker.

• The Chargers like the progress of nose tackle Cam Thomas, who they think is ready for a breakout year. Coaches and teammates are talking him up big.

• San Diego is looking to add depth on the defensive line. Free agent Justin Bannan on is still on the team’s radar. I think we will see the Chargers be active on the waiver wire at a few positions.

• Free-agent guard Chad Rinehart is showing solid leadership skills.

• The team loves free-agent running back Danny Woodhead. He has been a camp star and should take pressure off starter Ryan Mathews. Expect to see Woodhead used in several different ways. He could be a poor man’s Darren Sproles, perhaps.

• Yes, tight end Antonio Gates hasn’t had a superstar season in years because of injuries, but the team likes what they see from him. He may have another year or two left in the tank.

• Ladarius Green, Gates’ potential successor, is still growing. But he has shown flashes. He has natural pass-catching ability.

• While there are questions at cornerback, the Chargers feel like Derek Cox and Shareece Wright will be an upgrade over last year’s starting duo of Quentin Jammer and Antoine Cason.

• Rookie quarterback Brad Sorensen has been up and down. He has a good enough arm to keep him on the 53-man roster.

• Cornerback Johnny Patrick has looked good. He could see a lot of action in nickel situations.

• Fifth-round pick Tourek Williams is getting looks at both defensive end and outside linebacker. The team would like for him to contribute at linebacker.

• Robert Meachem, a big-money, free-agent bust last season, has been given new life after Alexander’s injury. Still, I have my doubts that Meachem will make much of a difference. He hasn’t been a standout in camp.

 

[Faust]

Change is a constant for Giants

Team's ability to adapt, a hallmark of the Coughlin era, is being tested once again

By John Clayton | ESPN.com

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Training camp finally got into full gear this week for New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin.

Guard Chris Snee and cornerback Terrell Thomas were activated from the physically unable to perform list Tuesday and returned to practice. Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks started to run routes after an injury-marred 2012 season. Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul talked about being eight weeks into recovery after a back surgery that requires 12 weeks to recover, and he was running on the other practice field while teammates worked.

Still, there is no guarantee JPP will be ready for the start of the regular season.

The intensity level of practice increased. In team drills, there was some extra contact and hits. Coughlin even had to yell at a player or two to tone it down and prevent injuries.

Wow, how camps have changed. Coughlin is an old-school coach who goes back to the era of two-a-days, live scrimmaging and hard hitting. When Coughlin is seen jumping on a player for just the slightest extra hit, it shows how the game has changed, thanks to the new collective bargaining agreement.

It also shows how Coughlin has changed. He realizes players have to get into hitting shape, but teams can't afford unnecessary injuries in practice. He's adapted, which is why the Giants are always in the playoff hunt.

A constant breeze kept the practice field cool and comfortable Tuesday. Weather has been mild in the first week of camp, but Coughlin received some encouraging news. The heat and humidity was scheduled to increase by mid-week.

Coughlin couldn't be any happier. He's ready to heat up Giants training camp.

Here is what I learned at Giants camp:

1. Training camp position battles:

Once again, it's a battle royale at linebacker. Every spot is open. Keith Rivers, Mark Herzlich and Spencer Paysinger are running at first team, but it's not out of the question that Jacquian Williams will work his way into a three-down role. He excels in pass coverage. Two free-agent acquisitions will be interesting to follow. Dan Connor, a former third-round pick of the Panthers, is competing at middle linebacker. Aaron Curry, a former high first-round pick of the Seahawks, is competing on the outside. Anything can happen here. Good battles are brewing for the backup cornerback spot. Prince Amukamara and Corey Webster are the starters. Thomas returns from the PUP list to compete against Aaron Ross, a former Giants mainstay who returned after going to Jacksonville last year. Another player to watch is Jayron Hosley, a third-round pick in 2012. The Giants are set with their top three receivers: Nicks, Victor Cruz and the rapidly improving Rueben Randle. Louis Murphy, Ramses Barden, Kris Adams and Jerrel Jernigan are fighting for the final two spots at receiver. Fullback is another story. Henry Hynoski is on the PUP list. Ryan D'Imperio was signed off the street to compete against H-back/tight end/fullback Bear Pascoe for the lead blocking job, but it's not out of the question for the Giants to sign another fullback off the street. Pascoe also has to worry about the backup tight end job because of Adrien Robinson. Inconsistent throwing is preventing fourth-round choice Ryan Nassib from competing against David Carr for the backup quarterback job.

2. Age-old problem along the offensive line:

For years, the Giants have been looking for a youth movement along the offensive line. At first glance, they are still looking. The average age of the starting offensive linemen is 30-plus, a scary number. Left tackle Will Beatty, a second-round pick in 2009, is the first draft choice in years to crack the starting lineup, but Coughlin is still relying on a lot of veterans. Snee (31) and Kevin Boothe (30) are the guards. David Baas (31) is at center, and David Diehl (32) is at right tackle. The Giants invested a first-round choice this year in tackle Justin Pugh, but he is slowed by a concussion. With four starters in their 30s, you worry about them wearing out and getting injured. You can see changes are on the horizon. The Giants could be planning to move Pugh, fourth-round choice Brandon Mosley and James Brewer (a fourth-round choice in 2011) into starting roles in future years. At the moment, the Giants will rely on experience.

3. Youth movement at running back:

Over the past two years, the Giants have gotten younger at running back. They let Brandon Jacobs walk in free agency last year, and they moved away from oft-injured Ahmad Bradshaw this offseason. That leaves 2012 first-round pick David Wilson competing against Andre Brown for playing time. Wilson looks good. He's quick and explosive. Wilson had an impressive 5-yard average last year, but he had only 71 carries. Wilson is a hard worker. He says he squats 610 pounds of weights to gain power and explosiveness. That's amazing when you realize he's 5-foot-9, 205 pounds. But he needs his strength to get more playing time. Coughlin isn't going to let him play in passing situations unless he shows he can protect Eli Manning is passing plays. The better he is as a pass-blocker, the more he plays. Brown is a seasoned pass-blocker and gives Coughlin and Manning confidence that a linebacker won't destroy the quarterback. Wilson handled being mostly idle well last year while rookies such as Trent Richardson, Alfred Morris and Doug Martin got more exposure. From the class of 2012, Wilson is the back who has a chance to shine this season.

4. Credit the Giants with finding receivers:

A few years ago, the Giants were getting old at wide receiver. General manager Jerry Reese made the first big move in 2009, drafting a No. 1 receiving talent in Nicks. The next year he found one of the league's most talented slot receivers (Cruz) as an undrafted free agent. Reese may have hit pay dirt again with 2012 second-round pick Randle. Randle has had a great camp and has bought time for Nicks to ease his way back onto the field following his injury-troubled 2012 season. The key to the season, though, is Nicks. Knee problems plagued him last year, but he tried to keep on playing. One doctor told him to rest 6-8 weeks. On the field, Nicks looked slow because of the injury and wasn't the same player. The Giants know that when Nicks is right, he can catch 75-plus passes for more than 1,100 yards and plenty of touchdowns because of his ability to outleap defenders. The Giants aren't rushing Nicks this summer, and the prognosis is good.

5. Updating the pass rush:

The Giants usually have had an abundance of pass-rushers, so it's stunning to see them come off a season in which they had only 33 sacks. Gone is Osi Umenyiora, who left for Atlanta. Pierre-Paul is coming off back surgery and is questionable for the first couple of regular-season games. It makes you wonder why JPP waited until 12 weeks before the start of the regular season to have the operation, but that's another story. With Umenyiora gone, Mathias Kiwanuka moves from linebacker to defensive end to help rush the passer. More pressure is possible from Justin Tuck if he can pick up his game. Tuck turned 30 in March, and he's coming off two seasons in which he had a total of nine sacks. Before then, Tuck had double-digit sack totals three times over four seasons. He's his toughest critic and knows he has to have a great season. A young pass-rusher who shows promise is Damontre Moore, a third-round pick this year.

 

[Faust]

Five rookies to watch in Thursday's preseason games

By Marc Sessler

Around the League Writer

There's plenty to distill from preseason football.

Granted, it's a stripped-down (occasionally sleepy) version of the game we love, but August is critical as teams piece together their final 53. These summertime affairs also bring our first look at the rookies.

Offensive weapon Tavon Austin of the St. Louis Rams is an obvious draw. He'll play his first NFL game Thursday against the Cleveland Browns, and NFL.com's Adam Schein said it best: "The Rams have a great opportunity to be a true sleeper team this year, and Austin is a big reason for that."

With six contests on tap Thursday, here are five other first-year players we're excited to check out:

1. Christine Michael, Seahawks running backMichael has to earn his carries as a rookie, according to Seahawks running backs coach Sherman Smith, but his battering-ram style of play has turned heads in Seattle. With Robert Turbin coming off a foot injury, Michael should see plenty of work against the San Diego Chargers.

"You're going to see Christine Michael right off the bat. I don't mind telling you that," coach Pete Carroll said this week, via KIRO-AM. "I'm kind of anxious to see that myself."

With Turbin and Michael behind Pro Bowl selection Marshawn Lynch, we see the Seahawks as the league's second-deepest backfield. Michael fits their hard-running style and has a chance to impact this offense this season.

2. Matt Elam, Ravens safetyElam is a likely candidate to beat out veteran James Ihedigbo for Baltimore's starting strong safety spot post-Bernard Pollard.

"He's fast, and he's tough," Ravens defensive coordinator Dean Pees told reporters, via the Carroll County Times. "That's what you want in a strong safety. The guy will come hit you."

He's smart, too. Elam deftly negotiated his own rookie contract, and we expect him to play a leading role in the Ravens' rebuilt defense, which takes the field against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

3. Barkevious Mingo, Browns outside linebackerMingo lands in Cleveland at an opportune time. Under new defensive coordinator Ray Horton, the No. 6 overall draft pick will be meshed into action as a situational pass rusher behind Paul Kruger and Jabaal Sheard.

"It's going to be a good mix-up," Sheard told the Akron Beacon Journal. "We rotate. It's going to be exciting. We're going to stay with fresh legs, and it should be fun up front."

Chargers rookie offensive tackle D.J. Fluker called Mingo "the best speed rusher in college football" last season. His 6-foot-4, 240-pound frame has some concerned about a lack of bulk, but Browns coach Rob Chudzinski isn't sweating it. "He flashed," Chud said after Mingo's first practice. Now it's game time.

4. Montee Ball, Broncos running backRonnie Hillman was listed as Denver's starter on its first unofficial depth chart. TheMMQB.com's Peter King isn't buying it, and neither are we.

Ball was an every-down bell cow at Wisconsin, with 663 carries and 3,753 yards over the past two seasons. He has the tools to replace the departed Willis McGahee, and Ball is "already at the top tier of the rotation in the run game," per ESPN. Expect a committee approach in Denver, but Ball has a chance to earn the bulk of the work. His first carries will come against the San Francisco 49ers.

5. Vance McDonald, 49ers tight endMcDonald is a good bet to replace the versatile Delanie Walker in San Francisco's multiple-look offense. Primed for a "very long look" in preseason play, McDonald was the "most impressive rookie" during offseason practices, according to longtime 49ers beat writer Matt Maiocco.

Offensive coordinator Greg Roman used Walker creatively last season, and McDonald is no stranger to versatility, confirming in April that he "played all over the field" at Rice. No team does funkier stuff with their tight ends than San Francisco, one reason we're keeping an eye on McDonald.

The Around The League Podcast is now available on iTunes! Click here to listen and subscribe.

 

[Faust]

Top underrated storylines from NFL training camps

By Gregg Rosenthal

Around The League Editor

We've updated the biggest position battles in the NFC and AFC.

With the preseason set to launch in earnest Thursday, let's take a look at some stories that have been flying below the national radar during training camps.

Ryan Broyles is all the way backBroyles is recovering from his second ACL tear in as many years, but he's far ahead of his pace from last year. The Detroit Lions' second-year receiver just might be the key to the team's passing game. This offense is begging for a quality option behind Calvin Johnson, and Broyles showed serious skills last year before his injury. In a former life, I would be pumping up Broyles as a fantasy sleeper.

Patriots relying heavily on four rookie pass catchersPerhaps this isn't an underrated storyline in the Northeast, but we don't think the average fan understands the youth uprising going on in New England. It's crazy to think that rookies Kenbrell Thompkins, Aaron Dobson and Josh Boyce all could be playing significant snaps at wide receiver for the Patriots. Throw in undrafted rookie tight end Zach Sudfeld primarily taking starter snaps, and we can imagine at least three rookie pass catchers on the field with Tom Brady a great deal.

The random veterans who Bill Belichick signed -- like Donald Jones, Lavelle Hawkins or Michael Jenkins -- either have fallen by the wayside or failed to impress. Thompkins, an undrafted rookie, particularly has impressed. This might be Brady's greatest challenge of his career, and a unique chance to prove his greatness once again.

For more on Brady's challenge, check out the latest ATL Podcast.

Andrew Hawkins' injuryThe Cincinnati Bengals, already searching for pass catchers, now have to replace their slot receiver. It sounds like Hawkins, who caught 51 passes last year, will miss a chunk of the regular season with a high ankle sprain. If Tyler Eifert and Giovani Bernard are as good as the Bengals coaches think, the team should be fine.

Tyler Wilson fourth on Raiders' depth chartThe rookie from Arkansas was expected to compete with Matt Flynn for the Raiders' starting quarterback job. Instead, Wilson is behind undrafted rookie Matt McGloin from Penn State.

Le'Veon Bell quietly a starterWhile fellow rookies Montee Ball and Eddie Lacy compete for snaps with their respective teams, Bell quickly has emerged as the expected starting running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers. This isn't a shock, but it's nice to see coach Mike Tomlin on board so quickly. The Steelers often bring rookies along slowly.

"How he's run the ball speaks for itself," Tomlin said Thursday.

Bell would be my pick to lead all NFL rookies in carries.

Miami's left tackle situationIt'll be hard for Ryan Tannehill to bust out if he has no time to throw. The Dolphins spent so much money this offseason, yet starting left tackle Jonathan Martin has struggled in practice and remains a huge concern.

The Around The League Podcast is now available on iTunes! Click here to listen and subscribe.

 

[Faust]

Mike McCarthy: DuJuan Harris is Packers' starting back

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Second-round pick Zach Ertz has been "as good as advertised" in training camp, and Philly Mag's Sheil Kapadia predicts Ertz will wind up leading the Eagles' tight ends in catches and yards.
Ertz is lining up out wide "a lot" in practice. He's a wide receiver in a tight end's body, based on Ertz's Stanford tape. James Casey will be Philadelphia's H-back, while Brent Celek figures to handle the bulk of run-blocking duties.


Source: Philly Mag: Birds 24/7

The Kansas City Star projects Jamaal Charles' carries to drop, but his catches to rise in Andy Reid's pass-dominated offense.
The Star goes so far as to project Charles at "not ... much more than 1,000 yards" rushing, but anticipates his receptions to "more than double" off last year's 35. Charles is splitting out wide in training camp, as well as catching screens, flat-route passes, and checkdowns. The projection would be good news for Charles' PPR value, but could lead to some weekly standard-league hiccups.


Source: Kansas City Star

The Sacramento Bee has observed Kendall Hunter (Achilles', active/PUP) cutting, pulling heavy chains, and sprinting at full speed on side fields during training camp.
Hunter, eight-and-a-half months removed from partially tearing his left Achilles', has been doing various agility and strength exercises for the past couple of months, but the 49ers are obviously being cautious with him. The third-year back is closer to returning than Mario Manningham (torn ACL), and we'd expect him to be activated off the PUP list at some point during preseason action.


Source: Sacramento Bee

Alex Green has handled Packers first-team tailback reps with Eddie Lacy nursing a hamstring tweak.
James Starks has been second in line, with rookie Johnathan Franklin holding down third-string duties. The Packers appear to view Green and Starks as superior early-down backs to Franklin, who looks ticketed for a situational passing-back role. Green and Starks are quite possibly vying for one roster spot.


Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette

CSN Bay Area considers David Ausberry the Raiders' "front runner to start" at tight end.
Richard Gordon is listed on the first team currently, but he's a sluggish fullback type. Rookie Mychal Rivera is seen as a "legitimate contender for regular season playing time," but isn't going to block anybody at 6'3/242. Ausberry has the best chance to develop into a three-down tight end. He's a TE2 worth monitoring.

Related: Mychal Rivera, Richard Gordon

Source: CSN Bay Area

The Cincinnati Enquirer's Joe Reedy predicted on SportsCenter Thursday Giovani Bernard and BenJarvus Green-Ellis will open the season sharing carries "50:50."
"Probably 50-50 as far as the split for carries with BenJarvus Green-Ellis," said Reedy when discussing impressive rookie Bernard. Bernard will also dominate catches in Cincy's backfield, giving him the potential for 13-16 touches a game to open the year if he's getting about ten carries. Due to his massive talent edge on Law Firm, we expect Bernard's role to grow steadily as the year progresses.

Related: BenJarvus Green-Ellis

DetroitLions.com reports sixth-round RB Theo Riddick has been impressing with his ability to run between-the-tackles.
"He doesn't run the ball like a rookie," Reggie Bush said. "He has very good vision and he's a natural runner in-between the tackles." The Lions have been pumping up Riddick all week, sending perhaps a not-so-subtle message to Mikel Leshoure. We're not suggesting it will happen, but it wouldn't be stunning if Riddick stole Leshoure's roster spot with an impressive preseason.


Source: detroitlions.com

Coach Jeff Fisher says he hasn't "ruled anybody out" of the Rams' running back competition.
Fisher anointed Daryl Richardson as his de facto starter on Tuesday, but mostly because "he played significantly more last year than anybody." It's still a competition that must be won on the field, though we now believe Richardson is the favorite over Isaiah Pead and rookie Zac Stacy after Pead previously seemed to have the momentum. We'll get our first look at how things will shake out Thursday evening, where the Rams will take on the Browns.

Related: Zac Stacy, Daryl Richardson

Source: St Louis Post-Dispatch

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians doesn't believe a top-15 rushing attack is essential to the team's offensive success.
Arians sounds like a man realistic about his personnel. "Nah, just run the ball well when we want to run it," he said. "We want to be balanced, but I don’t put numbers on it. … Statistics and running games, I don’t buy into it. Just run it when we need to run it and run it well." Arians certainly espoused that philosophy in Pittsburgh and Indianapolis. The Cardinals' rushing "attack" is going to be a dirge for fantasy purposes.


Source: Arizona Republic

Tom Brady has "feasted" on Philadelphia's defense during Patriots-Eagles joint practices this week.
CSN Philly calls the Eagles' defense "fresh meat," as Brady has dominated with "several touchdowns" and "long stretches without an incompletion." Per Eagles (not Patriots) beat writer John Gonzalez, Brady's connection with Danny Amendola had "people talking after practice." Observed Eagles cornerback Brandon Boykin, "[brady] makes all of your mistakes show, basically. There’s no room for error. He’s putting the ball on the money each and every time."

Related: Eagles, Danny Amendola

Source: CSN Philly

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

According to the Washington Post, Redskins seventh-round RB Jawan Jamison hasn't "looked exceptional" in camp.
That's a problem, as Jamison will have to be exceptional to crack the Redskins' crowded running back corps. Showing well in Thursday's preseason opener could immediately change his fortunes, however. Jamison needs to out-shine plodding third-year pro Evan Royster.


Source: Washington Post

Ryan Broyles missed Wednesday's practice with soreness in his surgically-repaired knee, but the Lions are terming it a "maintenance" day.
It's remarkable Broyles hasn't missed more practice time. "There's no need to go out there and beat my knee up if I feel anything," Broyles said. "I was just taking a day off." Coach Jim Schwartz has been impressed by Broyles' robust return. "I think it's easy to lose sight of the fact that he's well ahead of last year, so if he has a day where he's sore and needs to rest it, that's just part of it." A life-long target monster in one of the league's most pass-happy offenses, Broyles could have serious PPR appeal if he escapes the preseason unscathed.


Source: MLive.com

The New Orleans Times-Picayune expects Steve Breaston to get a "long look" as the Saints' No. 3 receiver.
It's not an ideal fit, as coach Sean Payton typically prefers his No. 3 wideout to be a lid-lifting burner, a la the injured Joe Morgan. Breaston was also slowed by chronic knee inflammation last season. It would be unwise to make fantasy plans for the 30-year-old wideout before watching him in the preseason. Rookie Kenny Stills is also in the mix for No. 3 duties.


Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune

Coach Ron Rivera calls WR Armanti Edwards the Panthers' "training camp MVP."
Oh boy. A gifted athlete, Edwards has always lit up practice. It's once things start going full speed in games that he struggles. Although Edwards has earned consistent plaudits for his performance this summer, it's worth noting that Rivera made similar comments last year. Edwards went on to catch just five passes. We're still not sure he's guaranteed a roster spot.


Source: Tom Sorensen

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Steelers third-round WR Markus Wheaton has shown a "good ability to go over the middle in live contact (and) hang onto the ball."
"It looks like he wants to get into the competition," OC Todd Haley said. "We're all excited about him. ... For a guy who missed the whole offseason, you would not have any idea he did." It's high praise from a coach known to be tough on rookie wide receivers. The Steelers' No. 3 wideout, Wheaton is off the redraft radar to begin the season, but is someone to monitor in deeper leagues.


Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Ravens second-year WR Tommy Streeter is getting fewer camp reps than UDFA Marlon Brown, and "has an uphill battle to make the team."
Streeter is blessed with an outstanding size-speed combination, but "the tools haven't translated to the practice field." Streeter does have practice-squad eligibility after missing his entire rookie season due to torn ankle ligaments.


Source: Baltimore Sun

Seventh-round WR Aaron Mellette has struggled to get off press coverage and "looks tentative within the offense" at Ravens camp.
Mellette has demonstrated efficient hands, but the jump in competition from Elon to Ravens practice has proved large for the draft's 238th overall pick. Mellette does not appear to be in the hunt for early-season playing time on offense.


Source: Baltimore Sun

Undrafted rookie QB Matt McGloin is receiving third-team reps ahead of fourth-round pick Tyler Wilson.
McGloin lacks NFL starting-caliber talent, but made some noise in OTAs and is ahead of more heralded Wilson mentally. "I've seen a smart, composed guy that throws the ball accurately, makes good decisions, goes to the right place with the ball," coach Dennis Allen observed of McGloin. "He understands protections. And really that's where he's kind of separated himself from Tyler."


Source: Oakland Tribune

 

[Faust]

AFC Team-by-Team Camp Notes

 

[Faust]

With lots of new faces, defending champion Ravens still hungry

Pat Kirwan

The Ravens are the world champions but you would never know it when you watch them walk around their facility and see them practice.

With all the leadership changes this team is operating like a hungry, young emerging squad looking for its first Super Bowl. I wouldn't call it a sense of urgency but more like a team that left last year behind and is forging a new beginning with opportunity for new players.

As many as nine new starters will take the field for Week 1 as compared to the team that took the field in the Super Bowl, but it still feels like the Ravens.

I spent a lot of time with owner Steve Bisciotti discussing everything Ravens. I sat down with head coach John Harbaugh and players Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, Torrey Smith, Jacoby Jones, Haloti Ngata, Bernard Pierce and Matt Elam. I will say that upon Owings Mills, Md., after my visit that Ravens fans don't have to worry about a rebuilding project or some kind on major setback.

This team will be in the hunt right to the end and as Bisciotti said, "We just want to be one of the 12 teams to get to the postseason and see what happens."

Storylines to follow

1. Who will replace Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Paul Kruger and Dannell Ellerbe on defense? For now Darryl Smith is in Lewis' spot, but sooner or later rookie Arthur Brown or Albert McClellan could be the long-term answer. Reed is replaced by Michael Huff, a veteran with corner skills. Kruger was a good player, but Elvis Dumervil is better and Ellerbe is soon to be replaced by Brown. The transition will be bumpy, but it will be a success.

2. Who replaces Anquan Boldin? It may take years to find a guy that catches 22 passes and four touchdowns in the playoffs like Boldin did last year. I'm sure the Ravens, with $6 million of cap space, will not hesitate to bring in a veteran if the young players don't step up.

3. Does the no-huddle offense go away now that Dennis Pitta and Boldin are gone? Not according to Flacco, who said it is alive and well and will be instrumental this season.

4. Can the team get Rice and Bernard Pierce on the field at the same time? The Bills are expanding their package with Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller on the field together and the Ravens will do the same with their two backs. Both Rice and Pierce assured they are willing to block for each other if need be.

5. How will the club make up for the injury to Pitta? Keep an eye on the rookie from Harvard, Kyle Juszczyk. He came to Baltimore as a fourth-round fullback but he has great hands and is smart. I think he takes on a role that resembles some of the things Pitta did so well.

6. Where is there great roster depth? Take a look at the defensive line if you want to see quality depth. Ngata is one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL and can play any spot. Arthur Jones is emerging as a fine player, and the team brought in two massive veterans in Chris Canty and Marcus Spears. Rookie Brandon Williams could be the strongest lineman on the team. Pernell McPhee is working at linebacker but can play down in a moment's notice, and Terrence Cody is still on the roster. At any time the Ravens could have a front three averaging 6-foot-5 and 335 pounds.

7. Former center Matt Birk coordinated this offensive line, so who takes over? Gino Gradkowski was a surprise draft pick in the fourth round last year but and has walked right into the job. Ngata says he has already tough to beat in pass rush and Flacco says he can make the line calls. Time will tell, but the Ravens think they have their answer.

8. Prediction. The AFC North may be tougher than even the NFC West and I think there's a chance three playoff teams could come out of the division. The Ravens return to a 10-6 season as a wild card in the playoffs and as Bisciotti said, "We have one of the top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL and anything can happen."

Things I saw or heard at practice

1. Ngata told me he hasn't felt this healthy in years and hasn't missed a practice yet, adding that the practices have been plenty physical.

2. Rice was drinking a bottle of beet juice while we talked and grimaced with every swallow, but pointed out, "You gotta take care of your body." We talked about him being even more involved in the passing game, which is hard to imagine since he caught 61 passes last year, tops for a running back in the AFC.

3. Elam, the rookie first-round safety, is closing in on a starting position. When I sat down with him I could see why he's headed in that direction. Just like the way he approached doing his own contract and saving $200,000 in agent fees this guy is organized and well prepared. He is still adjusting to the speed and accuracy of Flacco's passes in practice, but as I watched him on the field there's little doubt he will crack the lineup.

4. Jacoby Jones is going to have to step up from the third wide receiver into the No. 2 spot now that Boldin is gone. Even though he originally failed the fitness test to start the season he looked good on the practice field. He also told me, "People don't know Deonte Thompson yet but they will very shortly and not just because he has 4.3 speed. The guy can play."

5. Torrey Smith is the Ravens' No. 1 wide receiver and he assured me he and Flacco are wired and not just on the deep go routes. He believes he has developed as a route runner for the whole route tree. He did talk about how teams use cut coverages on him with a man underneath and a guy over the top, but said he and Flacco know how to combat the coverage.

6. I had a chance to really talk about a number of offensive issues with Flacco. He likes the young receivers Tandon Doss, Thompson and David Reed working to win a starting spot. He said Doss is a natural hand catcher with some yard-after-catch skills. Thompson is an explosive guy who can fly and Reed is a combination of both. He added, "Until the lights go on in a contested situation we will not know but right now it looks good."

7. Bisciotti on the Flacco contract. I asked the owner to address the idea that the Flacco contract restricted the club from building a complete roster. He said that's nonsense. "I spent three years changing quarterbacks every year and without a good one you are going nowhere," he said. "In regards to the $120 million all it meant was we passed on Dannelle Ellerbe, but I pay a scouting staff a lot of money to find the Ellerbes."

8. John Harbaugh and I talked on many subjects, but it was curious when we talked receivers. He said he was giving the young receivers most of camp to develop and win a starting job but if they didn't reach expectations a veteran is not out of the question.

9. Harbaugh did a smart thing hiring Juan Castillo and Steve Spagnuolo as consultants. Two extra sets of eyes at practice and games. Two coaches who will spend time with the young players who need extra coaching while the staff gets ready for games. I already saw the benefit of these hires as Castillo worked with rookie offensive linemen after practice on their footwork in pass protection.

10. Terrell Suggs looked great at practice down 20 pounds and taking over a leadership role with the defense.

 

[Faust]

What we learned from Thursday's preseason action

By Gregg Rosenthal

Around The League Editor

Three years ago, there was a debate over the top cornerback in the NFL: Nnamdi Asomugha or Darrelle Revis. Now Asomugha is fighting just to stay in the league.

The San Francisco 49ers started three cornerbacks during Thursday night's preseason opener against the Denver Broncos, and Asomugha wasn't one of them. He was behind Carlos Rogers, Tarell Brown and Tramaine Brock on the depth chart. With Eric Wright finally signing in San Francisco on Thursday, it's fair to wonder if Asomugha even makes the team.

Here's what else we learned during Thursday's six preseason games:

Denver Broncos 10, San Francisco 49ers 6

1. As if defenses didn't have enough to worry about, Peyton Manning broke out the pistol formation in his only series of work.

2. Niners backup quarterback Colt McCoy left the game with a shoulder injury and did not return. Scott Tolzien is next on the depth chart. McCoy stayed in the game for a while after the injury; coach Jim Harbaugh believed it was a stinger after the game. McCoy will get more tests.

3. Niners rookie tight end Vance McDonald backed up a strong training camp with four catches for 66 yards. Second-year wide receiver A.J. Jenkins, meanwhile, did not start and had a fumble. Harbaugh was asked about Jenkins' performance:

"Uh, could have been better," Harbaugh said.

(We have our title for the Jenkins "30 for 30" documentary.)

Cleveland Browns 27,
St. Louis Rams 19

1. Brandon Weeden and the first-team offense gave Browns fans reasons to be excited. Two long drives resulted in 10 points. Weeden was protected well and threw the ball with accuracy. Greg Little made some great catches. It's a start.

2. Browns running back Dion Lewis continued his hot month with three catches for 22 yards and a touchdown. The former Philadelphia Eagle is angling to be Trent Richardson's backup. Also standing out in this game: Browns rookie pass rusher Barkevious Mingo.

3. Rams running back Daryl Richardson had 44 yards on just six touches, and Isaiah Pead fumbled. Richardson's lead in the race to start grew even larger.

4. My man crush, Chris Givens, already is on a roll, beating Joe Haden to the outside once and also breaking free deep for a 59-yard pass. Sam Bradford throws a pretty deep ball.

5. Rams starting offensive tackle Rodger Saffold left with a shoulder injury. X-rays were negative, but coach Jeff Fisher admitted that Saffold will miss some time.

Washington Redskins 22, Tennessee Titans 21

1. Redskins wide receiver Donte' Stallworth left with a hamstring injury.

2. Maybe all of those Chris Johnson boasts this offseason meant something. He broke out with a 58-yard touchdown on one of his two runs. (Or maybe it's the preseason.)

3. Kudos to Pat White on his first game action in three years. Washington's No. 4 quarterback rushed for a 9-yard touchdown and then converted the two-pointer to win the game. White still is a long shot to make the team.

4. @GregABedard

Chance Warmack is having a rough debut for a 10th overall pick. That might be kind.
Baltimore Ravens 44, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16

1. Tampa's recent pickup, running back Peyton Hillis, left the game with a knee injury. He fumbled on the play in which he was hurt.

2. Joe Flacco completed 7 of 9 passes for 57 yards, although he threw an interception. None of the young Ravens receivers stood out. Deonte Thompson had a drop.

3. Bucs rookie quarterback Mike Glennon showed some pocket toughness while throwing for 169 yards and an interception on 23 attempts. Kevin Ogletree looked like Tampa's No. 3 receiver.

Cincinnati Bengals 34, Atlanta Falcons 10

1. The coolest moment of the game: Falcons linebacker Brian Banks made his NFL debut in the second half. It's been a long road for him to get to this point.

2. Josh Johnson reportedly looked great throughout training camp. The presumptive Bengals backup quarterback backed up that buzz with a strong performance. He threw for 100 yards and rushed for 64 more.

3. Bengals rookie running back Giovani Bernard got a lot of work, but wasn't efficient with 41 yards on 13 touches. He also got blown up in pass protection.

4. Former Chicago Bear Dane Sanzenbacher made a push for a roster spot with Cincinnati with a 71-yard punt-return touchdown and a 36-yard receiving touchdown.

Seattle Seahawks 31, San Diego Chargers 10

1. For those scoring at home, Malcom Floyd and Eddie Royal were the starting receivers for the Chargers.

2. Tarvaris Jackson was very sharp in relief of Russell Wilson. Jackson should have the Seahawks' No. 2 quarterback job locked up over Brady Quinn. Rookie running back Christine Michael ran hard for 89 yards on 16 carries.

3. Philip Rivers played well and moved the ball in his only series.

The Around The League Podcast is now available on iTunes! Click here to listen and subscribe.

 

[Faust]

Rookie watch: Seahawks' Christine Michael impresses

Seven rookies to watch in Friday's preseason games

 

[Faust]

Training camp roundup: Josh Freeman not giving up starter role

 

[Faust]

Panthers camp observations: Can the secondary take a big step forward?

Pete Prisco

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- The Carolina Panthers should have a heck of a pass rush with ends Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy.

They'll need it since the back end of their defense is a major question heading into the season.

"We think we're going to have a good combination of guys," Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. "Plus our pass rush got better."

As of right now, the starting corners are veteran Drayton Florence, signed as a free agent, and second-year player Josh Norman. Captain Munnerlyn, who started last season, is also pushing for time and could be the nickel corner.

The safeties are Mike Mitchell, signed away from Oakland, and Charles Godfrey, who is now the free safety.

The Panthers need big improvement from Norman. The previous regime thought he could develop into a top-level corner and he did start 12 games as a rookie. He looks the part now.

Mitchell, a former second-round pick of the Raiders, has the physical tools, and he comes with an attitude, so this could be his chance to show what he can do after a slow start to his career.

Teams completed 66.8-percent of their passes against Carolina last season, the worst percentage for any defense in the league.

With the addition of first-round pick Star Lotulelei at defensive tackle, the Panthers have the making of a talented front. If the back end can take a little step forward, which is almost a must in a division with Drew Brees and Matt Ryan, the Panthers should improve defensively.

[SIZE=xx-small]•[/SIZE]In a bid to get quicker, Hardy has dropped his weight from 300 to 275, although he was down to 273 after practice Monday. He said he lost the weight because he wants to feel more explosive off the edge. Hardy had 11 sacks last year to finish second on the team to Johnson, who had 12 1/2. "I got up to 310 and played last year at 298," Hardy said. "I took out of my weightlifting regime and replaced it with running. I ran six miles a day." Hardy is also a good run defender at end, and said that won't change with the drop in weight. In a contract year, he is doing all the right things.

[SIZE=xx-small]•[/SIZE]One of the impressive players so far in camp has been converted college quarterback Armanti Edwards. After a slow start to his NFL career, Edwards looks much better. Now in his fourth season, he is running crisper routes and appears more comfortable outside, although he did drop a deep pass it the work I watched. "If he's really become the guy I think he can be, the big question will be catching the ball in traffic," Rivera said. "And taking the big shots after he catches it. Out here, he's not getting the big shots." Veteran Steve Smith is the No. 1 receiver with Brandon LaFell locked in as the second guy. Domenik Hixon, who the Panthers signed as a free agent from the Giants, has missed time with what the team has called cramps. But five days?

[SIZE=xx-small]•[/SIZE]If you think Smith is slowing down, forget it. He made a great over-the-shoulder catch on a deep ball in the practice I watched. He can still get down the field.

[SIZE=xx-small]•[/SIZE]The Panthers will have a new left guard with Garry Williams, who has started 20 games, taking over for Geoff Hangartner, who was released. Williams and Byron Bell give the Panthers a big, powerful right side to run behind. Bell has shown a nasty streak at practice, getting into a couple of scuffles.

[SIZE=xx-small]•[/SIZE]Veteran linebacker Jon Beason has been held out of camp as he tries to come back from micro-fracture surgery on his knee. In his absence, the Panthers have used veteran Chase Blackburn, signed as a free agent, on their No. 1 defense.

Thomas Davis, who is also penciled in to start at linebacker, has also been limited after thee major knee surgeries. Luke Kuechly is the starter in the middle, and is coming off an impressive rookie season.

[SIZE=xx-small]•[/SIZE]DeAngelo Williams is the Panthers starting running back, but Jonathan Stewart isn't practicing after having surgery on both ankles. That should open a chance for rookie Kenjon Barner to get some time. But he has danced too much so far in camp and the coaches want him to hit the holes harder. He has big-play speed, but there are questions whether he can run inside the tackles.

[SIZE=xx-small]•[/SIZE]One of the keys for the Panthers is getting off to a fast start. They have opened 1-5 and 1-6 the past two seasons.

There, I said it:

[SIZE=xx-small]•[/SIZE]Cam Newton will throw for 4,600 yards and 33 touchdown passes.

[SIZE=xx-small]•[/SIZE]The read-option will be limited.

[SIZE=xx-small]•[/SIZE]Hardy will get 15 sacks and cash in after the season.

[SIZE=xx-small]•[/SIZE]The Panthers will push for a .500 record.

 

[Faust]

Camp Confidential: New York Jets

By Rich Cimini | ESPN.com

CORTLAND, N.Y. -- The New York Jets haven’t faced expectations this low since 2006, when they hired a relatively anonymous New England Patriots assistant named Eric Mangini. Somehow, they made the playoffs under the baby-faced head coach.

The odds of duplicating that this season are about the same as seeing two Butt Fumbles in one lifetime.

Even the bombastic Rex Ryan, who once guaranteed a Super Bowl, has refrained from delivering a headline-making prediction. The Jets are rated in many power polls as a bottom-five team, but that stoked Ryan’s fire to only a medium flame.

“If you’re a competitor, how does that thing not get to you?” Ryan said. “How does that not motivate you? It’s almost like, ‘Well, OK, we’re going to show you.’”

In the not-so-old days, Ryan would’ve said something like, “We’ll see who has the egg on their face when we’re in the playoffs.”

Ryan has toned it down because he recognizes the enormity of the challenge.

The Jets, coming off a dysfunctional, Tim Tebow-obsessed 6-10 season, are rebuilding. New general manager John Idzik parted ways with 11 starters (including All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis), tore apart the front office and changed the culture.

Idzik, hired even though he has little background in personnel, instilled a buttoned-down, almost paranoid environment in an organization once known for its wacky ways.

The circus is gone. The Kremlin is here.

It’s a change for the fun-loving Ryan, but he has bought in because he’s coaching for his job. He joked recently that if the Jets are in position to draft Jadeveon Clowney, the presumptive No. 1 pick in 2014, he won’t be around to see it.

Earth to Ryan: You won’t be around if you finish with as many as six wins. Idzik inherited Ryan, at the urging of owner Woody Johnson, and he will hire his own man if the team shows no improvement.

In a way, Ryan is in an almost impossible situation. His roster was gutted, leaving a team many scouts believe has only four top-tier players: cornerback Antonio Cromartie, defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, center Nick Mangold and left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson.

Throw in a potential quarterback controversy, and you’re looking at a long year in New York.

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. Who plays quarterback?

The competition is billed as Mark Sanchez versus Geno Smith. In reality, it’s Smith versus Smith. It’s his job to win. If the second-round pick proves capable of functioning in an NFL offense, he’ll be the opening-day starter.

Sanchez will start the first preseason game, but his performance is virtually meaningless. The Jets know what he can and can’t do, and it has been a “can’t-do” situation over the past two seasons. If it weren’t for an $8.25 million guarantee, he probably would have been cut loose in the offseason.

The organization wants a fresh start at quarterback. It went into camp thinking Sanchez would win by default, but Smith, shaking off a lackluster spring, has impressed with his arm strength, accuracy and athleticism. “He can do more” than Sanchez, one veteran player said. The question is whether or not Smith can handle it from a mental and maturity standpoint. When his brain catches up to his arm, it’ll be his team.

2. How will they score points?

The Jets finished 28th in scoring last season, and they will be hard pressed to improve that ranking. They have a suspect cast of skill-position players, including past-their-prime pass-catchers (Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow), a lead back who’s never had more than 137 carries in a season (Chris Ivory) and an injured former Super Bowl hero who may never be the same (Santonio Holmes).

New offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg is an experienced playcaller, but it’s hard to call plays when you don’t have the talent. The Jets need productive seasons out of wide receiver Stephen Hill and tight end Jeff Cumberland, who have a combined total of 53 career receptions. Holmes could be a factor at some point, but he probably won’t be ready for Week 1 as he continues to rehab a surgically repaired foot. Get the picture? It looks bleak.

Because of the uncertainty at quarterback and the lack of playmakers on the perimeter, the Jets absolutely must be a strong running team. That’s not out of the question -- the line is solid -- but they will see a heavy dose of eight-man fronts and run-blitzing defenses.

3. Can Ryan hold it together?

After back-to-back seasons out of the playoffs, Ryan faces a make-or-break year. He has two years left on his contract, meaning he’ll be extended or fired after the season. He has no previous background with Idzik, making it a tenuous situation.

Thinking self-preservation, Ryan has taken control of the defense, becoming the de facto coordinator. He did it this way in 2009, when he felt most comfortable as a head coach. He’ll leave the offense to Mornhinweg, whose pass-happy philosophy might not be a good fit with Ryan’s defensive-oriented approach.

Ryan’s job security will be an issue throughout the season, especially if the Jets get off to a bad start against a tough schedule. It could become a feeding frenzy for the New York media. It may not be playoffs or bust, but another losing season probably will mean the end of the Ryan era.

REASON FOR OPTIMISM

Once again, the Jets will rely on their defense -- and that’s not such a bad thing.

Under Ryan, they’ve finished no worse than eighth in total defense, and they have the talent to keep the streak alive. There could be some growing pains as Ryan integrates seven new starters, but the unit should get stronger as the season progresses.

Revis is gone, traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the Jets will be OK outside with Cromartie and top pick Dee Milliner. They’re good enough to play man-to-man coverage, which will allow Ryan to crank up his blitzing schemes.

They don’t have a big-time pass-rusher -- the glaring deficiency -- but this is the most athletic defensive line of the Ryan era. And it should be, considering they’ve drafted linemen in the past three first rounds. If Quinton Coples and rookie Sheldon Richardson develop as quickly as Wilkerson, already one of the league’s best 3-4 ends, this group will be fun to watch.

REASON FOR PESSIMISM

The NFL is a quarterback-driven league, and the Jets’ quarterback situation is as murky as any in the league. It’s a controversy waiting to happen.

Sanchez still has the loyalty of a few holdovers in the locker room, but there are many players intrigued by Smith’s skill set. If Sanchez wins the job and struggles, it could create a division in the locker room.

Nothing drains the energy out of a team more than a quarterback mess. It happened last year with Sanchez and Tebow, although this could be more volatile because Smith -- unlike Tebow -- can actually play the position.

Sanchez has lost the home fans, who booed him mercilessly last season. If the toxicity carries over to this season, it will create a bad vibe, and that can bring down an entire team. A difficult first-half schedule won’t help matters.

OBSERVATION DECK

• The Jets are relying on several players with recent injury histories, including Winslow (limited in camp), Edwards (limited), Holmes, guard Willie Colon, wide receiver Clyde Gates and kick returner Joe McKnight. That’s always a dicey proposition.

• The Jets have been spoiled for two decades at running back, but not anymore. This marks the first time since 1994 that no one on the roster has a 1,000-yard season in his career. It will be backfield by committee, with Ivory (yet to practice because of a hamstring injury), Bilal Powell and McKnight. Mike Goodson was supposed to be a key player, but he’s dealing with undisclosed personal issues and didn’t report to camp. Powell, a pleasant surprise, could end up as the lead back.

• Remember all the talk last summer about Tebow and the Wildcat? It was all hot air, as the Jets barely used him. Tebow is gone, but the plan remains. They will use the Wildcat with Powell or wide receiver Jeremy Kerley, and they plan to use the read option with Smith. Ironic, huh?

• Ryan and defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman will keep opponents guessing by employing different looks. The Jets remain a 3-4 base defense, but don’t be surprised if they mix in 4-3 fronts. They will blitz a lot more than last season, count on it. You also could see three cornerbacks (Kyle Wilson lining up as a safety) in certain base packages.

• Wilkerson doesn’t garner too many headlines because he doesn’t say much, but he’s a special talent. He felt he deserved to go to the Pro Bowl last season; he’s ready to break through in ’13.

• Mornhinweg, a Bill Walsh disciple, employs a West Coast offense, but he’s not the stereotypical West Coast guru. He’s an aggressive playcaller and will take deep shots. That should bode well for Hill, a vertical threat who has matured after a disappointing rookie year.

• The Jets could have three rookies in the opening day lineup -- Smith, Milliner and Richardson. The last time they had as many as two was 2006, Ferguson and Mangold. By the end of the year, Brian Winters could be starting at left guard. It could be a watershed draft

• Looking for a sleeper? Keep an eye on second-year linebacker Demario Davis, who replaces Bart Scott. Davis is terrific in pass coverage, so good in space that Ryan is thinking about keeping his base defense on the field against certain three-receiver packages.

 

[Faust]

Camp Confidential: Cleveland Browns

By Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com

BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns are the NFL experts when it comes to starting over. But even the Browns haven't had this type of makeover.

The Browns just completed a $5 million renovation to their team facility. The organization has committed to spending at least $100 million on upgrades to FirstEnergy Stadium. This is in addition to hiring a new decision-maker (chief executive officer Joe Banner), general manager (Mike Lombardi) and head coach (Rob Chudzinski) in the past year. Under offensive coordinator Norv Turner, the Browns want to attack more down the field. Under defensive coordinator Ray Horton, they have embraced an attacking mindset.

After you walk around the sleek, new glass offices and watch a couple of practices, it's evident that there's a new look, a new energy and a new philosophy being established.

"The ship has been heading in the same direction with a lot of momentum," Banner said. "So, we really felt like we had to do some -- I almost want to use the word ‘radical’ -- things to change the direction of the entire franchise, culture and mindset. We’ve almost created a fresh start, frankly."

If there is a team in desperate need of a fresh start, it's a Browns team that has epitomized futility to a generation of football fans. Since returning to the NFL, the Browns are 73-151 (.326) with one playoff appearance and 11 double-digit-loss seasons. Over the past 14 seasons, the Browns have had four general managers, six head coaches and 18 different starting quarterbacks.

The Browns' players, however, believe this is the time for a reversal of fortune. Despite a fifth straight season of 11 losses or more, Cleveland was 2-5 in games decided by seven points or fewer in 2012.

"One thing at Alabama, they’ll teach you how to finish games," said running back Trent Richardson, who played for the Crimson Tide. "Last year, we didn’t have that, characterwise. This year, it’s going to be big on us to finish games."

So, are the Browns closer to being better than what many outside the Dawg Pound believe?

"I think there’s going to be a big surprise on everybody’s faces," Richardson said. "I think we’re going to be a big surprise to the world."

Team officials aren't ready to make such bold announcements yet. Banner said it was "dangerous" for someone in his position to put a timeline on when the Browns would turn the corner.

"I think people will notice very quickly that the team is better this year, the style of play with the physicality and the aggressiveness of it, will be what winning teams do," Banner said. "I also think there is work left to be done in getting those systems in place and continuing to upgrade the talent before it’s realistic to think we've reached our goal, which is to be a team that’s annually competing with the best teams in the league."

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. Determining whether Brandon Weeden is the quarterback of the future.

Like the rest of the offense, Weeden has had an up-and-down training camp as he learns Turner's system. Weeden acted like he owned the offense in Thursday's preseason opener, completing 10 of 13 passes for 112 yards and one touchdown. Weeden said this week that Turner's system "makes sense" to him. It's an offense that pushes the ball downfield and needs a strong-armed passer like Weeden.

Weeden still has to prove that he can read defenses (his 17 interceptions last season were tied for fifth-most in the NFL) and produce in the most critical parts of the game (third downs, red zone and fourth quarter). The perception is that Weeden has 16 games to convince the new regime he's a franchise quarterback. If not, the organization will have to decide whether to use a first-round pick on the likes of Teddy Bridgewater, Johnny Manziel or Tajh Boyd.

"I think time will answer the question," Banner said. "I’m very lucky having Chud as the head coach and Norv as the coordinator. Those are the two best people to both develop a quarterback and evaluate a quarterback than any team in the league has. I think with the strength of their knowledge and background, we should be able to very clearly know what we need to do or not do."

2. The new look and new attitude on defense.

Knowing that owner Jimmy Haslam was a minority owner in the Pittsburgh Steelers for years, it's not a surprise that he believes defenses have to be aggressive to succeed in this league. It's also not a surprise that Haslam wanted Horton, who knows the Steelers' scheme as well as anybody. He played six years under **** LeBeau in Cincinnati and coached under him for seven years in Pittsburgh.

Last year under coordinator **** Jauron, the Browns had a read-and-react defense that rarely blitzed and was determined not to give up big plays by playing a deep zone. This year under Horton, the Browns' defense wants to keep offenses on their toes with a high-risk and unpredictable game plan that has one goal: hit the quarterback.

In 2012, when Horton was the defensive coordinator in Arizona, the Cardinals blitzed 42.3 percent of the time, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The only team to send five or more pass-rushers more often in 2012 was the Houston Texans (46.9 percent). Compare that to the Browns, who blitzed 26.5 percent of the time last year. That ranked 17th in the NFL.

"This defense has potential to be something really special," said linebacker Paul Kruger, who knows something about highly ranked defenses from his days with the Baltimore Ravens. "I know people around here are used to hearing that. It’s one of those things where, yeah, every year you hear the same thing. From my experience and what I’m watching, we have some guys who can cover in the secondary, we have guys who can rush the passer, we have big, strong guys in the middle. We should be able to pull off some really good games."

3. The uncertain future of Haslam.

The dark cloud hanging over this franchise is the federal investigation into Haslam's family-run Pilot Flying J truck-stop business. Will Haslam be found guilty of any charges? Will he be forced to step down as owner? No one really knows those answers at this point, which puts a major question mark at the top of the organization.

Banner insisted that Haslam's legal issues haven't affected the Browns.

"When Jimmy and I got together, we laid out a plan of what his vision and priorities were and how he wanted the team run on a day-to-day basis," Banner said. "None of that has been any different if nothing had ever happened. I don’t think you have to believe me. You just have to look at our ability to function through free agency, the draft and hiring a coaching staff and doing renovation at the facility. But if you’re skeptical, I think actions speak louder than words and it’s kind of clear."

REASON FOR OPTIMISM

The Browns have assembled one of the top coaching staffs in the league. Turner is an established and successful playcaller, and Horton is an up-and-coming defensive coordinator. It was a smart move to surround a rookie head coach like Chudzinski with a veteran staff that he can lean on for advice.

There is also renewed hope in the offense as well as the defense. Richardson ran for 950 yards and 11 touchdowns when he was battling injuries to his knee and ribs last season. The Browns are excited to see what numbers he can produce if he is at full strength to start the season.

On defense, the Browns invested $35 million in guaranteed money in Kruger and defensive lineman Desmond Bryant in free agency. The team used its top two draft picks on defense, including the No. 6 overall choice on pass-rusher Barkevious Mingo.

REASON FOR PESSIMISM

Although the Browns did undergo a lot of changes, you can make the argument that they didn't change enough. Despite having the salary-cap room, Cleveland didn't upgrade at tight end, fullback, guard, inside linebacker, cornerback or free safety. As a result, the Browns bring back every starter from an offense that ranked 25th in yards and 24th in points scored last season.

The schedule also does the Browns no favors. Six of the eight teams that Cleveland will face on the road didn't have losing records, including five playoff teams: the Ravens, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots.

OBSERVATION DECK

• It didn't take the preseason opener to tell me that Weeden is the starting quarterback of this team. During my two days at camp, it was clear that Weeden is a much better passer than Jason Campbell. Although coaches want Weeden to be more consistent (and have his passes batted down less), he threw the ball where it needed to go more often than Campbell did. Third-stringer Brian Hoyer didn't seem like much of a threat to Campbell's backup job. He struggled repeatedly with his decision-making.

• Kruger, the team's top free-agent pickup, looked even better than when he was in Baltimore. During a two-minute drill, he would've recorded four sacks if he were allowed to hit the quarterback. The strong finish to last season has carried over into 2013 for Kruger.

• One of the more underrated moves during the draft was the Browns' getting wide receiver Davone Bess from the Miami Dolphins in a trade. Bess won't record 1,000 yards this season and probably will remain the No. 3 receiver once Josh Gordon is done with his two-game suspension. But Bess will come up big in clutch situations. When it was third down in camp, Bess continually found a way to get open and Weeden looked for him.

• Joe Haden is primed to be a Pro Bowl cornerback. Even in one-on-one drills, wide receivers had a difficult time getting any separation from Haden. Many believe that he is a man on a mission after last year's four-game suspension for testing positive for Adderall.

• Before injuring his foot, Chris Owens was the favorite to start opposite Haden at the other cornerback position. What stood out to me was Owen's physical play against receivers. There's still a sense that the Browns will start Owens and rotate him with rookie third-round pick Leon McFadden during games. Buster Skrine, who had his problems last season, has had a strong camp.

• Even before Dion Lewis was named the starting running back for the preseason opener, he was turning heads by making plays in the passing game. Turner compared the diminutive Lewis to Darren Sproles, but that may be stretching it. Lewis has certainly earned more playing time on offense. He was already going to make the team as the kickoff returner.

• There's no denying that tight end Jordan Cameron will make big plays on pure athleticism. He finished off one long pass in camp by diving into the end zone. The big question is whether Cameron, who has yet to play a full season in the NFL, is durable enough to handle that position.

• In the kicking battle, Shayne Graham is a good bet to win the job over Brandon Bogotay. Graham hit a 53-yarder while I was at camp, and converting beyond 40 yards isn't supposed to be his strength.

 

[Faust]

Rams rookie review: WRs see few targets

By Nick Wagoner | ESPN.com

EARTH CITY, Mo. – Thursday night’s game in Cleveland provided the Rams’ seven-man draft class the first opportunity to step off the practice field and into a game situation.

The results were a mixed bag, but at least each of them got an opportunity.

WR Tavon Austin, first round, No. 8 overall: Played nine snaps on offense, one on special teams. The Rams played it safe with their new toy as Austin didn’t get many chances. He was targeted once but was unable to come up with the catch. He also went back to return a punt, but it fell well short of Austin and he had no chance to return it.

LB Alec Ogletree, first round, No. 30 overall: Played 23 snaps on defense, two on special teams. Had some mix-ups in coverage and gotbeat on Cleveland’s first touchdown. Finished with two tackles.

S T.J. McDonald, third round, No. 71 overall: Played 23 snaps on defense, three on special teams. Missed a tackle early and also got mixed up in coverage once or twice. Led Rams defenders with five tackles.

WR Stedman Bailey, third round, No. 92 overall: Played 27 snaps on offense, four on special teams. Tied for second-most reps among wide receivers. Targeted three times, came up with two catches for 27 yards.

OL Barrett Jones, fourth round, No. 113 overall: Played 26 snaps on offense, four on special teams. Worked on the interior with backup offense. Moved around well for someone coming off foot injury.

CB Brandon McGee, fifth round, No. 149 overall: Played 18 snaps on defense, six on special teams. Finished with one tackle.

RB Zac Stacy, fifth round, No. 160 overall: Played 21 snaps on offense. After sitting out practice most of Monday and Tuesday, Stacy didn’t look to be full speed but still carried seven times for 23 yards and caught two passes for 13 yards. Also had a drop.

Undrafted rookie roundup: TE Philip Lutzenkirchen came up with the catch of the night, dragging his feet inbounds along the sideline for a 13-yard gain in the fourth quarter. … LB Darren Bates led the undrafted rookies in tackles with four and was active on special teams, playing 13 snaps. … S Cody Davis led all defensive players in snaps played with 41. He broke up a pass and nearly had an interception. … LB Ray Ray Armstrong also played quite a bit, working 37 snaps on defense and a team-leading 14 on special teams. … S Rashard Hall had a nice pass breakup but missed a chance to come up with an interception when he got his hands on a late pass but couldn’t pull it in.

 

[Faust]

ESPN Preseason Game Observations & Summaries:

Redskins 22, Titans 21: Ten Observations

Observations: Redskins 22, Titans 21

Three things revisited: Seahawks-Chargers

Three things revisited: Broncos-49ers

Observation deck: Bengals-Falcons

Observation deck: Browns-Rams

Rams-Browns: What to watch revisited

Observation deck: Ravens-Buccaneers

Observations on the Falcons

Observations on the Buccaneers

 

[Faust]

A camp full of intrigue

Mystery surrounds Chip Kelly's Eagles, and not just at the quarterback position

By John Clayton | ESPN.com

PHILADELPHIA -- For the first time since he took the head coaching job of the Philadelphia Eagles, Chip Kelly slowed down the pace of his team.

A dual practice against Bill Belichick's New England Patriots merited change. Kelly came to Philadelphia with a college offense from Oregon that was on fast forward. In practices, Kelly had cranked up the music and had his quarterbacks get plays off quickly.

The Eagles' practices against the Patriots this week were smart and reflective. The music was gone. Both teams spent their practice time concentrating on execution. Quality was stressed over quantity. None of this should be a surprise.

Kelly and Belichick have a great respect for each other. Last year, Belichick sent his assistants to Oregon to learn Kelly's fast-paced offense. The result was a 74.4-play-a-game offense and a division title. Against the Patriots, Kelly wanted to test how well his offense and defense can perform against a quality team and a great coach.

Here is what we've learned about the Philadelphia Eagles during camp:

1. Training camp position battles:

Coaches often use the cliché that every starting job is open, but in Philadelphia, that notion is true. Unlike the other seven new head coaches in the league, Kelly comes from college with no NFL coaching experience. He enters with a clear vision and no preconceptions. The Eagles' roster is in total transition after 14 years under Andy Reid, so a fresh look isn't bad.

In talking to Kelly, you get the idea he's creative and will try to adjust the strategy to what he has for talent. The biggest battle is at quarterback, but it's a two-way battle. Fourth-round choice Matt Barkley is running a decent third and doesn't appear to be making a move toward the starting job. Michael Vick and Nick Foles enter a four-preseason game battle. Vick has the edge because of his experience, arm strength and running ability, but Kelly will give Foles every chance to win the job.

With Jeremy Maclin out for the season with a knee injury, every receiver slot after DeSean Jackson, Riley Cooper and Jason Avant is up for grabs. Brent Celek, James Casey, second-round choice Zach Ertz and Clay Harbor are vying for playing time at tight end. Casey, though, could get time as a fullback/H-back.

The Eagles are looking at Isaac Sopoaga and Bennie Logan at nose tackle. Trent Cole, Brandon Graham and Phillip Hunt are making the adjustment from defensive end in the 4-3 to outside linebacker in the 3-4, while Vinny Curry is fighting for time at defensive end. The Eagles are sorting out a lot of things in the secondary. Anything goes there.

2. Vick or Foles?

The Philadelphia Inquirer had an interesting view of the Vick-Foles practice battle. For two days, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady consistently burned the Eagles' pass defense. One of the smartest quarterbacks in pro football history, Brady doesn't hesitate when a receiver is open. The Inquirer charted Brady releasing passes at 2.27 seconds during Wednesday's team drills; the paper counted Vick at 2.76 seconds and Foles at 2.89 seconds. While critics will want to point to the Patriots' experienced offense, that wasn't the case. Brady's only carryover target from last year was Julian Edelman. Vick and Foles had Jackson, Cooper and Avant. These numbers are telling. For the Eagles' fast-paced offense, balls need to come out quickly. If Kelly is going to get plays off with 24 seconds left on the 40-second clock, the Eagles can't afford sacks or three-and-outs. Kelly clearly isn't going to rush to judgment on a starter.

Vick would be the logical choice. He's a leader whom teammates respect. He's a better athlete than Foles. He has a better arm. But history has shown that Vick might turn over the ball and be prone to injury. Even if Vick wins the starting job, Foles should get a chance to play. Say what you want, Vick still gives the Eagles the better chance to win. He can make first downs with his legs and his arm. Foles can only do that with his arm.

3. Attrition at wide receiver:

By the end of Wednesday's practice, the Eagles had only seven healthy wide receivers, and that included Cooper, whose status with the team is still under review because of his use of a racial slur at a Kenny Chesney concert. Maclin, Arrelious Benn and Dave Ball are on injured reserve with blown-out knees. Two young receivers who were showing promise -- Damaris Johnson and Russell Shepard -- tweaked hamstrings Wednesday and didn't finish practice. The Eagles have problems at wide receiver, and Kelly has to be cautious moving forward. Maclin's injury promotes Cooper to a starting job on the outside, and he made some nice catches after coming back from his brief time away from the team to reflect on his off-field incident.

The question facing Kelly is how to safely use Jackson. The NFL's desire to flag and fine defensive backs who crunch defenseless receivers in the middle of the field opened the door for Jackson, who is 170 pounds, to become a star a couple of years ago. But he did suffer a concussion, so Reid didn't want to totally let him roam in the middle of the field for catches. Losing him would stifle the passing game because the team would lack an outside threat. Avant's best routes are in the middle of the field. Kelly also can use his deep stable of tight ends and H-backs. It's a good thing Kelly is creative. He's going to need to be while adjusting this offense as the season goes on.

4. Secondary a primary concern:

Brady has had his way against the Eagles' secondary, a unit that has been completely revamped since Reid put together the so-called "Dream Team" in 2011. On Tuesday, Brady completed 17 of 20 passes in team drills. The ball rarely hit the ground during Wednesday's practice. To be fair, it takes time for four new starters to come together in a secondary, and it's evident Kelly is experimenting to see what he has. For example, on Wednesday, he used safety Patrick Chung as a third safety in a pass-coverage package to try to take advantage of Chung's coverage skills and his knowledge of Kelly's defense (Chung went to Oregon).

One question is whether cornerbacks Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher can hold up against good quarterbacks. Brady picked them apart. A backup to watch is Brandon Boykin, a fourth-round choice from last year. He's had a good camp. Safety Kenny Phillips is coming off knee surgery and is just starting to get his legs under him. The Eagles have holdover safeties Nate Allen and Kurt Coleman as fallbacks.

5. Chipping away at the NFL:

Kelly is the biggest mystery in the NFL. His college track record was amazing. His offense was unstoppable. But Kelly warns not to read too much into the college stats. The 60-40 run-pass ratio is more a byproduct of the scoreboard than the game plan. The Ducks usually had the lead, so Kelly called fast running plays. Kelly is the first to tell you he's not running an offense to tabulate a high number of plays. His Oregon offense averaged 78, 78 and 81 plays a game over the past three years. His mission is to score points, which his Ducks did with ease against fatigued defenses. Will it work in the NFL? That's the mystery, but Kelly sounds as though he will adjust to the successes and failures of what he sees during the season.

 

[Faust]

Buzz builds around Bills' Hogan, Carrington

By Mike Rodak | ESPN.com

Through nearly two weeks of training camp, much of the national talk surrounding the Buffalo Bills has been about the quarterback battle and the development of rookie EJ Manuel.

But with the team's first preseason game looming Sunday, buzz has picked up this week around a pair of players who flew under the radar entering training camp.

Let's dig deeper into each one:

WR Chris Hogan

The top of the Bills' depth chart at receiver is virtually set: Once Steve Johnson returns from a hamstring injury, he's the unquestioned leader of the group. Beyond that, T.J. Graham and rookies Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin are all locks to make the roster, although their exact roles have yet to come into focus. While Brad Smith could earn the No. 5 receiver job based on special-teams contributions, the back end of the receiver picture is blurry.

Now with his fourth NFL team in three seasons, Hogan is beginning to emerge as a serious candidate for the 53-man roster. He has yet to play in an NFL game, played at a small college (Monmouth University) and doesn't possess freakish size or athleticism. Other than an appearance on HBO's "Hard Knocks" series with the Dolphins last season, when running back Reggie Bush dubbed him "7-Eleven" because he's "always open," Hogan is just another name on the roster.

Yet Thursday's practice was another positive step for Hogan in making the team, with Manuel connecting with Hogan on several passes during the session, according to the Buffalo News' Mark Gaughan. Moreover, WGR 550's Joe Buscaglia named Hogan his MVP of Thursday's practice, saying that Hogan has looked the best among the handful of receivers who are fighting for jobs.

The key for Hogan will be sustaining that success through the preseason. His competition at wide receiver includes Da'Rick Rogers, an undrafted free agent who likely would have been selected in April had it not been for failed drug tests and other issues in college. The Bills could decide that they want to keep Rogers on their 53-man roster and try to get Hogan onto their practice squad, but a solid preseason from Hogan would make that decision more difficult.

DL Alex Carrington

A third-round pick in 2010 by Buddy Nix, Carrington has arguably underperformed through his first three seasons. Drafted as a 3-4 defensive end, the Bills tweaked their defensive scheme last season, transitioning into a 4-3 look in which Carrington lined up inside. He went from starting six games in 2011 to none in 2012, although he was more productive, recording two sacks and forcing a fumble. He also blocked three field goals, but expectations for a third-round selection are higher than just making plays on special teams.

This season, Carrington has been one player who has benefited from defensive coordinator Mike Pettine's new scheme. While Pro Bowl defensive linemen Kyle Williams and Mario Williams have been limited by injuries so far in camp, Carrington is setting himself up to earn a role alongside both those players once they fully return.

"He’s probably been our most consistent player on the grade sheets, very rarely gets a minus," Pettine said Thursday. "He’s probably our most technically sound guy up front, plays at great pad level."

According to Buscaglia, Carrington had two sacks in Monday night's scrimmage.

"As you saw in the scrimmage, he’s a guy that usually quiet. But when it’s a live situation like that, he gets pretty fired up," Pettine said. "Our guys fed of his energy a little bit and made some plays. It was fun to watch."

 

[Faust]

What we learned: Redskins offense

By John Keim | ESPN.com

After rewatching the Redskins' 22-21 win over Tennessee, a few opinions were solidified, some shifted a little and a few discoveries were made:

1. Initially I wondered if Roy Helu was a little too fast to the hole, not setting up his blockers enough. Not sure that was the case, though his quickness to the hole was noticeable. He had a good night, but against the Titans’ starters he managed only 20 yards on seven carries. He had two runs that totaled 23 of his 57 yards. One area he differs with Alfred Morris is yards after contact. Morris excels in this area for two reasons: He lowers his pads and lets his legs drive him through the defender. Helu too often fails to lower his pads enough to enable him to run through a defender. He did lower his pads in a red zone run, picking up an extra four yards. But, typically, he was picking up the yards that were available.
2. Helu’s two longest runs occurred in the second quarter. Another one, a 19-yarder, was wiped out because of a Josh LeRibeus penalty. But Helu’s effort was outstanding. Tight end Logan Paulsen got moved back a few yards, taking Helu off his intended path. He had to swerve around Paulsen. Helu bounced wide and picked up 18 yards, including six after contact. Two plays earlier, Helu pressed the hole well, getting a yard behind the line. He chopped his feet on the cut, but because he’s quick it didn’t slow him down en route to 11 yards.
3. Not a lot more on Kirk Cousins. What I saw re-watching the game is exactly what I saw last night: A young, poised quarterback who is comfortable running this offense. Nothing more to add.
4. Quarterback Pat White has come a long way from when we first saw him in the spring, when he looked like someone who wouldn’t get an invite to training camp. But he has improved since then and will occasionally make an impressive pass in practice, driving the ball to the receiver. Accuracy has been an issue in camp. But for a guy in his first NFL action (albeit against many players who will get cut) since 2010 it was a nice return. Enough to warrant a roster spot? Not after one good fourth quarter of a preseason game. White made three clutch plays (one of which would have resulted in a touchdown if receiver Lance Lewis hadn’t fumbled the ball into the end zone. White did a nice job rolling to his right and throwing downfield across his body with accuracy. And his ability to extend a play in the red zone always is a bonus.
5. But the majority of his reads were quick followed by short throws and he has a long way to go before he masters this offense enough to play in a game and read defenses at a necessary level. He has not looked sharp all the time in camp and often holds the ball too long. Still, he has a good outing to build upon and it’s something he should feel good about. It could lead to more action in future games and, perhaps, tempt another team to sign him whenever he comes free.
6. Right tackle Tyler Polumbus is working on keeping his hands tighter and shoulders more square. At times you see it working. But in camp he struggled when he’d allow Ryan Kerrigan to get his hands into his chest first. Saw it happen against Tennessee, too. He was a bit slow getting his hands in place and Derrick Morgan get into his chest. Not that it mattered: The Redskins gained 10 yards on the play. But this is an area Polumbus must continue to perfect. The Redskins want him to -- need him to -- reduce the amount of pressure he allowed last year.
7. Aldrick Robinson struggled as a blocker last year and still gets driven back too much, sometimes causing him to unintentionally pinch the hole. But he did hold onto some blocks. This is an area he needs to do well in considering it's a key part of the stretch zone system. Robinson was inconsistent catching the ball, though I liked how he hung onto the ball when safety Bernard Pollard drilled him out of bounds after a catch. But the Redskins lack strong challengers to the top five. One of them, Dez Briscoe, had the trifecta: He dropped a pass, lost his block that led to a tackle, and was called for a false start. Leonard Hankerson had one of his good nights. He’s had those before -- the key is having several of those in a row. I liked how patient he was on his receiver screen, causing the defense to commit outside while he took off inside behind center Kevin Matthews and LeRibeus. Hankerson ran a good in-and-out route as well.
8. Left tackle Tom Compton isn’t ready to be a starter, but he showed some positive signs. Last season Redskins line coach Chris Foerster talked about the need for him to get stronger, needing to knock rushers off their path so when a counter move occurs, Compton can react quickly and in time. He did just that on one first-quarter block against the defensive end, getting him off-balance on his initial move, which enabled Compton to react in time to the counter. Compton allowed pressure, getting bailed out by Helu on one edge rush and losing his man inside on another. But he had his good moments, too.
9. Wrote this after the game and will do so again: LeRibeus needs to pick it up. He struggled too much Thursday night for a player picked in the third round a year ago. He also has talent, as he showed in relief during the playoff loss to Seattle -- and on some plays Thursday. But LeRibeus gets himself in trouble by lunging and getting off-balance. It led to a whiff on one attempt and pressure on others. He also had a hold that negated an 18-yard run by Helu. LeRibeus knows he has to play better.
10. It had to be encouraging for the Redskins when Josh Morgan caught an in-route on third-and-5 and then, because of a quick catch-and-cut, add seven yards after the reception for a total of 13 yards. It wasn’t a huge play but it could be a positive sign. His ankle, which had seven screws in it last year, is healthy now and he said it will result in more explosion. It’s been tough to see it in camp, but he did it last night in a tight window, sandwiched between two defenders. Curious to see how this evolves for him.
11. I’ll be honest: I don’t always know how right guard Adam Gettis anchors against bigger linemen. The 292-pound Gettis gets stood up a lot, yet doesn’t always get driven back. His college coach, Kirk Ferentz, once told me how freakishly strong Gettis was and he’s right. Still, the Redskins coaches don’t like seeing him get stood up like that. But for the most part he was fine (he did allow a pressure). Really, it wasn’t bad for a guy who missed several days recently with a hamstring strain.
12. Finally, we learned that, by going for two points late in the game, Redskins coach Mike Shanahan is not a fan of overtime in preseason games. To which we say: Thank you.