Its about that time for teams to get to work. It's time for rookie hazings, two-a-days, blistering heat combined with horrific humidity and fights between offensive and defensive players. Its time for training camp. I will be previewing some things to watch in each conference and any big news that comes out of camp.
Lets start with the AFC East:
Buffalo Bills
Will the WR Terrell Owens experiment succeed? - Terrell Owens has always put up big numbers and is usually an asset to a team in the first year; but are Bills fans expecting too much from him? He did go to SB contenders in the Eagles and Cowboys and the Bills are no where near a contender. Can Owens' presence elevate the entirety of the offense, or will his dropped passes and pouting be the nail in Dick Jauron's coffin?
How large a role will RB Fred Jackson have in the backfield? - Marshawn Lynch remains the starter but is suspended to open the season, which will give Fred Jackson and newly acquired Dominic Rhodes a chance to show off their talents. With the coaches gushing over Jackson's work ethic and receiving ability, could he work his way into a full-fledged RB tandem
Miami Dolphins
Is RB Ronnie Brown healthy and ready to be the Wildcat? - Ronnie Brown lit the league up as the centerpiece of the Dolphins Wildcat formation, but it will be interesting to see if these shananigans will continue in the NFL. Can Brown finally live up to his immense talent and produce for a full 16-game season? Does Ricky Williams pose any threat to his playing time? Can rookie Pat White bring a new twist to the Wildcat?
What can QB Chad Pennington do for an encore? - Chad Pennington shocked the world last year with a Top 10 fantasy season, setting a career high for completions and yards. Can Pennington continue his Top 10 success?
New England Patriots
Is QB Tom Brady back? - This is one of the biggest questions facing NFL fans for obvious reasons. If Brady is 100% healthy, which reports say he will be the Pats could will be the team to beat. If not, well, we all know I can't get that lucky 2 years in a row.
Who is the starting HB? - Bill Belichick isn't one to disclose anything he doesn't have to, which means training camp may not give us much insight into the team's intentions at running back. That said, the Patriots offense has been using a number of RBs over the last few years. Will Fred Taylor be given a chance to play the role of Corey Dillon? Will Laurence Maroney, now allegedly healthy, surprise everyone by reclaiming the main role? What about Kevin Faulk, who quietly catches a ton of passes in 3rd down formations each and every year?
New York Jets
Can Rex Ryan and Mike Pettine implement the Ravens schemes in NY? - Ryan and DC Pettine are bringing the blitz-happy 3-4 system from Baltimore to New York, and also brought along SS Jim Leonhard, DE Marques Douglas and ILB Bart Scott to begin the makeover.
Will QB Dirty Sanchez win the job? - Sanchez is being paid to be the team's future franchise passer, but that doesn't mean they'll hand him the job. Kellen Clemens has as good a chance to start in 2009, and this will be THE camp battle to watch.
Let the games begin!
No comments:
Post a Comment