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Hi Folks,
Good Monday to you. Camps are RIGHT around the corner and we can't wait. What a great time of the year.
We've got the news and notes you need so let's get to it.
J
Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton will be reporting to training camp with the rookies so he can start getting his timing down with new wide receivers.
Footballguys' view: Great move here by the second-year Quarterback. Newton is looking to avoid the sophomore slump and wants to build on the experience he gained last year during his fantastic rookie season.
Minnesota Vikings RB Toby Gerhart said he is preparing as if he will be the starting running back Week 1 but is not ruling out the possibility that RB Adrian Peterson (knee) will be ready for the start of the regular season.
Footballguys' view: Good move by Gerhart here. Even if Peterson can play in week one we feel the team will ease him back in the lineup. Several sources close to the team believe Peterson could be worked back in slowly during the first month of the season.
If Seattle Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch is suspended for his recent off-field legal issues, the presumptive starter is rookie RB Robert Turbin. The Utah State demonstrated some toughness in spring workouts, but he is obviously untested in regular season play.
Footballguys' view: Turbin's pro comparison when coming out was Marshawn Lynch. Like Lynch, Turbin is big, powerful, and runs angry. However, he's got build up speed and not quite the initial burst. Plus, Turbin also runs a bit upright and thus durability and ball security could be a problem.
Indianapolis Colts WRs Reggie Wayne, Donnie Avery and Griff Whalen recently worked out with QB Andrew Luck in Florida. Wayne said it will take time for he and Luck to build chemistry on the field but expects training camp to help their connection.
Footballguys' view: Wayne will provide Luck with a steady veteran target he can trust. Avery could be the team's deep threat if he regains the speed he had earlier in his career. Whalen is a longshot to make the team but has plenty of chemistry with Luck from their time together in college at Stanford.
The potential suspension for Seattle Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch for his off-field conduct has a trickle-down impact on the team's quarterback position. While the potential absence of Lynch won't make a difference in the competition between QBs Matt Flynn and Tarvaris Jackson, the performance at the position might suffer.
Footballguys' view: Pete Carroll likes to have a strong ground game, and that greatly helps out the starting QB as defenses focus on shutting down the run. If Lynch misses any time due to a suspension it would thrust rookie RB Robert Turbin into the starting role. Turbin runs a lot like Lynch but may not be as effective as the seasoned pro.
The agent for Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco has carried on an amicable dialogue with Ravens vice president Pat Moriarty regarding an extension for months now. Some feel a deal might be close, and could even come before the open of training camp Friday, July 27. However, Flacco's agent wasn't so sure. 'It could get done (Friday). It could get done on Halloween. It could get done three years from now,' the agent said. 'But I will say this: They're serious.'
Footballguys' view: Now that Ray Rice has been given a long-term contract extension the Ravens will focus all of their efforts on getting Flacco a new deal. He's entering the final year of his rookie contract, but there's debate on how valuable he is. Flacco isn't a bad QB but he's unlikely to get paid like a top 5 player at his position. If no agreement can be reached this season the Ravens could opt to use the Franchise Tag on Flacco next offseason.
Miami Dolphins RB Daniel Thomas may be pushed by RBs Lamar Miller and Steve Slaton for the No. 2 running back job if he is not able to improve on his 3.5 yards per carry and his yards after contact which ranked fifth worst among NFL running backs last season.
Footballguys' view: When he came out of Kansas State, Thomas reminded some in the scouting community of Michael Bush. He flashed ability briefly last year before injuries slowed him down. He'll see a big push from Miller during training camp. We feel Miller has the skill set to be a featured back if the opportunity arises.
Miami Dolphins WR Chad Ochocinco is expected to make the final roster unless he has trouble learning the offense during training camp.
Footballguys' view: Ochocinco couldn't grasp the Patriots offense, and may have trouble picking up Mike Sherman's complex system. The Dolphins are short on WR talent, so there's a good chance Ochocinco makes the team.
New England Patriots WR Jeremy Ebert's (leg) leg injury is not considered serious but his chance for a spot on the roster would be affected greatly if he misses time during training camp.
Footballguys' view: Ebert is a player who could eventually replace Wes Welker as the team's primary slot receiver. The Patriots may decide to put Ebert on the PUP list to start the season. This would give him a chance to stay on the roster while missing the first six weeks of the year.
The plan is for the Pittsburgh Steelers to use two rookies, OG David DeCastro and OT Mike X. Adams, along the offensive line, starting right away. If they do, they'll have to overcome long odds and, to some extent, history as well. In the past 45 years, just three rookie offensive linemen have started for the Steelers in season openers: OG Tom Ricketts (1999), OT Marvel Smith (2000) and C Maurkice Pouncey (2010).
Footballguys' view: The Steelers offensive line has been pathetic in recent years, and we applauded the moves when they added Adams and DeCastro in the 2012 NFL Draft. The two rookies are untested, but have the natural skill sets to be dominant at their positions.
With Arizona Cardinals RBs Beanie Wells (knee) and Ryan Williams (knee) likely to see limited touches during the preseason, RBs Javarris James, LaRod Stephens-Howling and Alfonso Smith are likely to see an extended look during training camp and the preseason. James is considered a long shot to make the team, while Stephens-Howling and Smith will both have a role with the team.
Footballguys' view: 'Baby J' James is the younger cousin of former Colts (and Cardinals) RB Edgerrin James. He's a no-nonsense runner but is not creative or elusive in the open field. Stephens-Howling reminds some of Saints RB Darren Sproles, while Smith is a valuable back because of his versatility as a runner, receiver, and special teams player.
Arizona Cardinals RBs Beanie Wells (knee) and Ryan Williams (knee) are an important part of the success of the team's offseason, but the team is likely to be very careful with both during the preseason so nothing delays their regular season work.
Footballguys' view: No surprise here. Wells was bothered by a sore knee all of last year and decided to have offseason surgery to clean it up. Williams is already sprinting and cutting on the knee that cost him all of his rookie season. We like his ability as a featured back if he gets an opportunity to take over.
The Arizona Cardinals not only have a battle for the No. 1 quarterback job between QBs Kevin Kolb and John Skelton, but veteran QB Richard Bartel is trying to hold off QB Ryan Lindley for the third quarterback job during training camp and the preseason.
Footballguys' view: Bartel is a savvy veteran, but has bounced around the league during his pro career. He plays like a poor man's version of Tony Romo and has made some impressive plays for the Cardinals in the preseason. Lindley is the strong armed rookie with consistency problems. When Lindley is on he has incredible deep accuracy and can make all the bucket throws. However, he struggled as a senior at San Diego State after losing two WRs (Demarco Sampson, Vincent Brown) to the pros, and losing head coach Brady Hoke (gone to point at things in Michigan).
The Seattle Seahawks have not made progress in contract talks with DE Chris Clemons. It is not known if Clemons will report to training camp on time.
Footballguys' view: Dissatisfied with his $4.5MM salary Clemons has skipped all of the mandatory workouts this offseason. Clemons is looking for a long-term extension but may not get the offer he wants from the Seahawks.
Arizona Cardinals DT Dan Williams is expected to win the starting nose tackle job as long as he is in shape during training camp. He appears to be recovered from the broken arm he suffered last season.
Footballguys' view: Injuries and inconsistencies have prevented Williams from playing up to his potential so far during his pro career. The team is hopeful the 2010 first-round pick can have a year three breakout in 2012.
Detroit Lions CB Aaron Berry was arrested Saturday, July 21, and charged with three counts of simple assault.
Footballguys' view: This is Berry's second arrest in less than a month. He was also arrested June 23 on suspicion of driving under the influence. Berry is sure to face discipline from the league, and his roster spot with the team may be in jeopardy.
Cincinnati Bengals SS Taylor Mays enters training camp as the favorite for the starting job at strong safety, although head coach Marvin Lewis said last week that the job is wide open. Mays has familiarity with the playbook, and worked with coaches during the offseason. It's likely Mays opens alongside FS Reggie Nelson in Week 1.
Footballguys' view: Mays has always been a big hitter, but earlier in his career he would struggle with read/reaction time. He's been working to improve that and some feel he's no longer the reckless player he used to be.
Cincinnati Bengals CB Leon Hall (Achilles') said during minicamp that he wanted to be ready for the first practice of training camp. However, head coach Marvin Lewis said the club is taking more of a wait-and-see approach.
Footballguys' view: We think there's a good chance hall could begin the start of training camp on the PUP list. Coming back from an Achilles' injury is a delicate process and the team has no rush to get Hall back this quickly.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being a part of what we're doing at Footballguys.
We'll see you tomorrow with the update.
Peace,
J