Hold Outs
As camps are getting set to get rolling, there are a few names who aren't going to be on the field at the start of camps. Le'Veon Bell is going to miss time because he doesn't have a new long term deal. Julio Jones, Aaron Donald, Earl Thomas and Taylor Lewan all said they're going to miss minicamp while awaiting new contracts, while Julio is going to sit out the start of camp waiting on a new deal. Other players like Beckham Jr and Rob Gronkowski, thankfully, have said they don't plan on missing training camp time. The fact that Julio is going to sit out is a little surprising, considering he hasn't made much noise off the field for stories like this.
Can The Browns Actually Be Good?
On paper, the Cleveland Browns look like they might have a solid football team this season. They brought in Tyrod Taylor and drafter Baker Mayfield to be their quarterbacks this season, something that has been a revolving door for the Browns. They added new weapons for the duo to throw to in Jarvis Landry, Josh Gordon, Corey Coleman and David Njoku. If the pass game isn't there, the duo can hand off to Carlos Hyde and Nick Chubb. That's just the offense. On defense, they brought in Myles Garrett, Damarious Randall, Mychal Kendricks and drafted Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward. This team has the making of one who could be at least a .500 football team this year. They've won just one game over the last two seasons, so hopefully this team can come together and win more then one game this year.
Gruden Back In The Saddle
It's been a long time since Jon Gruden was a coach in the National Football League. 2008 was the last time Gruden was seen on an NFL sideline. At that time, Marshawn Lynch had just finished his second year in the league, while Derek Carr and Khalil Mack were seniors in high school. It's not like Gruden doesn't know whats going on in the league, he's been around the game the last nine years, but its been in the broadcast booth calling games on Monday Night Football. Having that viewpoint has allowed Gruden to keep an eye on the game, giving a different viewpoint to the action taking place on the field. But watching from the broadcast booth and coaching on the sideline are two totally different things. There's more pressure on him then their is on other coaches considering he signed a ten year deal worth $100 Million. So he has to be able to deliver for the Raiders.
Early Season Suspensions
Once the regular season gets going on September 6th, a few teams are going to have to play without star players. Julian Edelman, Mark Ingram, Vontaze Burfict and Thomas Davis will all miss the first four games after violating the league's performance-enhancing drug . So each of those teams, the Patriots, Saints, Bengals and Panthers are going to have to figure out game plans during camp to get the teams to plan around not having those players in their lineups and making sure they're in shape and ready to go by the time they come back.
Now for the local look in for camp
It's been quite some time since the NFL has seen a running back like this as a rookie. From every indication, Barkley can do it all, he can run he can catch, he's an all purpose back. A running back like this hasn't been picked since Reggie Bush in 2006, the last time a running back was taken that high in the draft. Barkley could end up having a better career, in theory, then Bush. That's if he can stay healthy and productive. This first camp will be a good gauge.
Can the offensive line actually improve?
This has been a big point of contention for the Giants the last couple of seasons. The additions of veteran left tackle Nate Solder and rookie Will Hernandez should solidify one side of the line, Right tackle Ereck Flowers remains a major question mark. By adding Nate Solder and Will Hernandez will be major building blocks for what has been the major weak point for the big blue wrecking crew. If they can hold it down like they've been projected to, they should be an improved team. But it still a question mark.
Can They Replace JPP?
As a team the Giants had 27 total sacks, one of the lowest totals in the league. JPP had 8.5 of them. Losing him is going to be a blow for the Giants, as Pierre-Paul signed with the Bucs in the offseason. It leaves one to wonder how can his production be replaced? It going to fall on the shoulders of Olivier Vernon, but no other player on the team had more than four sacks last season. Kareem Martin and third-round pick Lorenzo Carter are going to be expected to pick up the slack.
Do They Have Their Future QB Here?
Yes Eli is still the starter and there a pretty good chance that, if he can stay healthy, he's going to play every game this season. But what about when his career comes to an end? There no timetable on how much longer Eli is going to be able to play at this high a level. He got two young gunsligners playing behind him in Davis Webb and Kyle Lauletta. Webb was taken in the third round of last year’s draft, then they ended up grabbing Lauletta this past April. Camp will be a good way to test and see which one of them is ready to step up and take over this team when Eli's career is over. If neither one of them can do it, it will give the Giants time to figure out how to go about it in future drafts.
There no intention of throwing Darnold in as the starter from the outset of the season. That's why Josh McCown was brought back and Teddy Bridgwater was brought in. Both guys have been around the block and know what it takes to be a success in this league. If Darnold is the best option for the Jets, then so be it. But he's going to have to work hard in camp if he wants to beat out the two veterans. Even if he makes the starter, can he handle the pressure of playing in the best football league in the world against the best competition in the world. Can Darnold hang with it?
Can Quincy Enunwa Rebound From Last Year?
Last year was a tough year for Enunwa. He missed all of last season after blowing out his knee, so its going to take a little while for him to get back into form. The longer it takes for him to get back into shape and get comfortable, the longer it takes for him to carve a name out for himself. When he's on his game though, he can do quite well. He's a do it all receiver. He can make a play on a short route or he can burn a guy deep. New offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates seems to have a plan for him, so if Enunwa can maintain the level he was at before he got hurt, he should do quite nicely with this team this year.
Can Terrelle Pryor Get Back On His Game?
He's bounced around the league since being drafted in 2011, and had one great year with the Browns in 2016, having a 1,007 yard year. But he didn't play much in Washington last year and is looking to get back on his feet with the Jets. Because he didn't play much in the spring, its going to come down to Pryor and Chad Hansen to fight it out for the 4th receiving spot on this Jets roster. For Pryor to finally make noise, he going to have to show Jets management that he can get a handle on the playbook, which I don't think should be a problem. He's also going to have to show that his ankle is fully healthy. If he can do both, he should be alright in this Jets offense.
Who Can Step Up As A Leader on Defense?
Darron Lee is the one guy who's being pointed at most right now. He's had two up and down years in the league, so not only does he have to figure out his own game, he going to be counted on to be the signal caller for this defense as well, he has to be the voice of the defense now that Demario Davis gone. Can Lee handle the responsability of being able to play his own game but make sure the defensive gameplan is executed to a T? Todd Bowles has put that confidence in him to not only do that but learn to play with a new teammate in Avery Williamson. Camp will be a good test for Davis to be able to handle it.
No comments:
Post a Comment