It’s time to start brushing up on your NFL knowledge and bring out your jerseys, because the season is rapidly approaching, and it looks like this one is going to be epic. All across the league, rookies will report to camp as early as Monday(21st) and no later than Friday(26th), with veterans arriving a few days after. Let’s get right into the thick of things. A successful training camp can jumpstart a team and possibly be one of the main factors in a great season. Every team has to execute during the preseason, but here are 8 that might interest you a little more.
(in no particular order)
1. RAVENS – the defending champs completely remodeled their roster weeks after they took home the lombardi. No Ray Lewis.. who is going to step up as the emotional leader, who is going to inspire the rookies to keep pushing? I guess we will find out. No Ed Reed.. thats two first ballot hall of famers not on the roster anymore, who is going to be the field general and teach the new guys how to ball-hawk in this pass happy league? Can first round pick out of Florida Matt Elam fill the void of the most dynamic safety of our decade? These two guys pretty much started the Ravens franchise, but now they are gone and the Ravens are looking to do the hardest thing in sports…. Repeat as world champions. Rookies report the 21st, Veterans the 24th.
2. TEXANS – Arian Foster, JJ Watt, Andre Johnson, Brian Cushing, Matt Schuab… Just a few reasons why the Texans have a legit shot at winning this thing this season. The Texans were on the winning end of one of the most talked about off-season moves, the signing of Ed Reed. It seems like everyone always says the Texans are loaded with a bunch of talented players who don’t know how to get it done… Well adding a two time superbowl champion and an annual all-pro veteran might be the missing piece of the puzzle. The Texans also addressed another key position they have been missing for years, a legit threat opposite Andre Johnson. DeAndre Hopkins broke the fuck out last year, he took full advantage of Sammy Watkins being hurt and suspended and lit up the NCAA. Can he have a good camp and work his way into his projected number 2 role by week 1? Only time will tell…. But if all pieces fall in the right places, the Texans will be scary good if they can get it going early. Rooks- 21st Vets- 25th.
3. CHIEFS –
Andy Reid. Whether you like his methods or not, you can’t deny that he is a great coach, and a players coach as well. Jamaal Charles has already came out and said that playing for coach Reid makes players want to succeed much more than they previously did. With the addition of an actual QB in Alex Smith, and No. 1 pick in the draft Eric Fisher, the Chiefs have pro-bowl talent out the wa-zu. Andy does things a little differently, and it will be very interesting to see how the Chiefs react to his methods. Look for the Chiefs to work on very fundamental things throughout the training camp and getting back to basics, but don’t be surprised if the Chiefs make early noise with how well and crisp camp is going. Rooks- 22nd Vets-25th.
4. Jets – this year’s jets camp might as well be called Sanchez vs. Geno camp, but there is much more the Jets need to accomplish this summer. Rex Ryan.. some people say he has lost his mojo as a dominating defensive mind.. I think he made the right move running with bulls in Spain and hopefully for Jets fans it meant that he’s ready to run over the AFC East again. Revis being gone wont be as big of a deal as most of the media will make it out to be. They have been through portions of camp without Revis before, so don’t look too much into that story. Leadership is the main prize the jets are hoping to find in the next couple weeks. Whether it is #6 or #7 calling the signals at the line, will they be able to demand respect during pre-season. The Jets along with many other NFL teams are running out of time with the current roster they have. Sooner or later house will be cleaned and it will be new-look, but can Rex get GangGreen back to the powerhouse, grind it out, hit you in the mouth kind of squad we saw just a few years ago? we will find out soon enough. Rooks- 22nd Vets- 25th.
5. Broncos – Expect to see nothing but all business from Peyton Manning and company this upcoming week (and lets not forget, shoutout to Frank Tripucka for letting Peyton rock number 18). Mr. Manning has weapons, and he is as good as ever right now. The Broncos are definitely on numerous lists as the favorite to win it all this year, and with a solid camp, there is no reason why it isn’t possible. On the defensive side of the ball the Broncs need to gel this camp. Every rookie needs to hang out with Von Miller and learn how to have a motor like he does, possibly maybe even learn how to mimic his wardrobe. Denver isn’t in any rush to get things done, but a solid camp could help them jump out to top dog right out of the gate. Rooks and Vets- 24th.
6. Eagles –
no one knows what Chip Kelly has in store for the NFL, all we know is that he has not named a starting quarterback going into camp. It seems to be a 2 man race but don’t be surprised if Barkley and Dixon make some noise at camp. The birds are coming off one of the most disappointing seasons in recent years. Two years removed from the dream team, and finally out of the media for the most part, can the Eagles pull it together and get back to the playoff regulars they used to be? The offensive line is back together so there is no excuses for whoever plays QB this year to take hits the way Vick did last year. Defense will potentially be changing to a 3-5 and they got rid of Nnamdi and DRC.. it could be a whole new look. Overall, the Iggles are another team that is STACKED talent wise, but excuses and non execution has got them into back-to-back losing seasons, what does Chip Kelly bring to the table? Lets find out. R- 22nd V-25th.
7. Seahawks – this one is simple. The hawks were the surprise of last season come late in the game. Russell is a total success story, Richard Sherman is the punk personality every thug defense needs to keep it coming back for more, and now Percy Harvin might be the weapon that makes Seattle elite. Pete Carroll seems to know what he is doing in the league. Hawks camp should be fun, prepare for a lot of tweeting and such about how good they are looking. Richard Sherman is leading the hype-brigade, can he lead the training camp? 24th for all.
8. Patriots – Belichick hates the media, and everyone hates Belichick. Well the haters are going to be very happy because all eyes are going to be on Pats camp. With Aaron Hernandez going public with his gangbangerness, and DUI after DUI, the oh so classy Patriots are starting to look like they play in Oakland. Brady is one of GOATs, but now he lost Airnandez and Welker, who is going to step up. This camp will be successful if Bill can keep all his players focused on the task at hand not on the cameras. Also, if your a pats fan id start praying for tebow to be cut, dude is starting to bring nothing to the table but, well, nothing. R- 21st V- 25th.
Let the games begin.
– Throc Morton
Press Box Pillow Talk 