HarveyWallbangers
07-26-2007, 11:02 PM
10 NFL pre-training camp question marks
Peter Schrager
NFL training camps begin this week. Get ready for the onslaught of unbridled optimism.
Talk to a Browns fan in July, and he's giddy over the Charlie Frye/Braylon Edwards connection, gabbing about Joe Thomas' work ethic, and insisting that with LeCharles Bentley back in the fold — this is Cleveland's breakout season. Raiders fans? Despite a 2-14 season last year, a super young offense, a rookie coach, and new starters at basically every offensive skill position, the inhabitants of the Black Hole are seriously talking about the playoffs. Texans fans love the Schaub and Green moves, Lions die-hards are giddy over Year 2 of the Martz/Marinelli era, and even Dolphins fans are smiling.
And isn't that the beauty of training-camp season? Reports leak of seventh-round picks making phenomenal grabs in traffic during a July mini-camp and you think you've got the next Marques Colston suiting up for your team. Three weeks later, the guy's an August cut and never heard from again. Rookies battle veterans in the heat, coaches spit their venom from the sidelines, and undrafted cats from small schools make unexpected runs at roster spots not intended for them.
For all the dog fighting, strip-club shootouts and Vegas casino slapfests in the news over the off-season, the NFL can finally get back to its bread and butter this week — actual football.
The fans have been salivating for it.
Trust me, so has the media.
And on the eve of training camps opening across the country, there's unbridled optimism from coast to coast.
But what fan bases should be a little worried? Where are the biggest question marks? Here are 10 trouble spots worth keeping a careful eye on throughout the training-camp season:
1. Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks
Expected Opening Day depth chart: Tarvaris Jackson, Brooks Bollinger, Tyler Thigpen
Yikes. Jackson, Bollinger and Thigpen may sound more like a personal-injury law firm than an NFL quarterback trio, but it's actually the Vikings' Nos. 1, 2 and 3 at QB heading into training camp. Brad Childress and the Vikings brass are confident in second-year man Jackson, but it's tough to be 100 percent sure about the kid based on last year's late-season performance.
Though Jackson played well in relief during mop-up duty in a blowout loss to the Jets on Dec. 17, he had one of the most underwhelming performances out of any QB last season in the Vikes' nationally televised 9-7 loss in Green Bay. Jackson went 10-for-20 for a paltry 50 yards with an interception that night, and left every Vikings fan whispering and mumbling about Brady Quinn.
Well, Minnesota didn't make any waves with the quarterback position in either the early rounds of the draft (they passed on Quinn) or the free-agent market this off-season. Jackson's their guy. And if it's not him, it's the undersized, over-achieving Bollinger.
As for Tyler Thigpen? Well, he threw for over 3,000 yards last season...for the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. Combined, the three young signal callers have started 11 NFL games — none of them being playoff contests.
Vikings fans, buckle up. This could be interesting.
2. Green Bay Packers running backs
Expected Opening Day depth chart: Vernand Morency, Brandon Jackson, Noah Herron, DeShawn Wynn
In today's NFL, it's no longer sexy to have one workhorse tailback carrying the ball 35 times and racking up over 500 touches in a season. It's a running back by committee world now, folks. Everywhere you look, two-back — and sometimes three-back — platoons are racking up yards, and ruining fantasy leagues. Jacksonville, Minnesota, Detroit, Washington, Dallas and the New York Jets will all employ high-powered, etablished multi-back offenses this year. And so will Green Bay. Or so it seems.
But with who? With the departure of both Ahman Green and William Henderson in the off-season, Green Bay's left with a rather non-descript foursome of rookies and young vets in their backfield. Morency and Herron have combined for 683 career rushing yards, while neither Jackson nor Wynn were the lone ball carriers in their college systems last year. It's one thing to have Julius Jones and Marion Barber sharing touches. But Morency, Jackson, Herron and Wynn? Hmm...
3. Minnesota Vikings wide receivers
Expected Opening Day depth chart: Bobby Wade, Troy Williamson, Sidney Rice, Billy McMullen
Not to pile on the Vikings faithful, here, but c'mon. It's one thing to have some question marks at quarterback when you've got proven veteran wideouts to pick up the slack. But Minnesota's wide receiver depth chart looks more like an NFL Europe team's corps than an NFL contender's.
Bobby Wade had a career year last season in Tennessee, and still only had 33 receptions. One more underwhelming campaign and it will be about time to write off former top-10 selection Troy Williamson as a colossal draft bust, second-round selection Sidney Rice is still very raw, and Billy McMullen couldn't break through on a 2005 Eagles team whose top receivers were Todd Pinkston and a batch of unknown rookies.
Brad Childress is an offensive mind. He'll make due with what he's got and that rushing attack's going to be out of this world. But the passing game? Eek. I'm not so sure.
4. New England Patriots cornerbacks
Expected Opening Day depth chart: Ellis Hobbs, Chad Scott, Ray Mickens, Willie Andrews, Tory James, Randall Gay
While everyone else covering the NFL seems to be fitting the Pats for their Super Bowl XXLII rings this summer, I've publicly voiced my reservations time and time again. One of New England's biggest question marks heading into training camp is the cornerback position. With Asante Samuel's holdout apparently not ending anytime soon, the Pats are left with a crew consisting of fairly green players like Scott and Hobbs, along with veterans who have seen better days five to 10 years ago like Mickens and James.
Sure, the Pats won a Super Bowl in 2005 with fill-ins and contributions from Troy Brown at defensive back. But they didn't START the season in such dire straits. It may not be as bad as I'm making it out to be — but it's certainly not good. That front seven could quite be the best in the league and those safeties are tough up the middle. But the cornerback spot would have me a bit worried come opening day if I were part of Patriots Nation.
5. San Diego Chargers coaching staff
Expected Opening Day coaching staff: Norv Turner, head coach; Ted Cottrell, defensive coordinator; Clarence Shelmon, offensive coordinator
The Chargers were the only NFL team to not sign a single new veteran free agent over the off-season. A 14-2 squad last year, San Diego will go to war in '07 with almost exactly the same roster they battled with in '06. So why are some folks in the media picking the Broncos to win the AFC West? Well, the coaching staff has changed quite a bit down in SoCal. And few say for the better.
Gone is head coach Marty Schottenheimer (some say this is a good thing), offensive coordinator Cam Cameron (now Miami's head coach), and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips (now the head coach in Dallas). Also lost are tight ends coach Rob Chudzinski (the new offensive coordinator in Cleveland) and linebackers coach Greg Manusky (now the defensive coordinator for San Francisco).
In comes Norv Turner as the new head coach, Ted Cottrell as the new defensive coordinator, Clarence Shelmon takes the helm at O-coordinator, and former Bears defensive whiz Ron Riviera comes in as Manusky's replacement as linebackers coach. Turner has a history with San Diego (offensive coordinator under Mike Riley in 2001, 2002) and has recently been the recipient of showered praise in NFL circles for his role in the rapid development of 49ers quarterback Alex Smith.
But he's still Norv Turner. The same Norv Turner that has a career head coaching record of 58-82-1. The same Norv Turner who is 1-1 in career postseason contests. Excuse me for not doing flips over the hiring.
Cottrell's one of the more respected defensive minds in the game, but has had his failures along the way, too. Shelmon's a longtime Chargers assistant who has worked with running backs Emmitt Smith, Chris Warren, and Tomlinson over the course of his 16-year coaching career, but is a first-year coordinator. A 14-2 team losing a coach here or a coordinator there is expected, but the top three spots on the coaching pyramid? That's a lot to overcome.
San Diego should be fine this season. They're the favorites in the AFC West and will more than likely make the playoffs. But are they better than they were in 2006? That's hard to say. It's like one of those old high school chemistry experiments. The roster is the "control" here, as it's remained unchanged. The coaching staff, though, has an entirely new look. Let's see what kind of chemist GM A.J. Smith is.
6. Houston Texans offensive line
Expected Opening Day depth chart: Eric Winston (RT), Fred Weary (RG), Mike Flanagan (C), Chester Pitts (LG), Ephraim Salaam (LT)
What'd the Four Tops once sing? "It's the same old song?" Well, that could be the Texans soundtrack music for each and every one of their off-seasons since the team entered the league in 2002. The familiar site of David Carr lying on his back under a heap of opposing defensive tackles and linebackers can now be replaced with the site of Matt Schaub lying on his back under a heap of opposing defensive tackles and linebackers. That is, of course, unless the O-line drastically improves.
The Texans opted to pass on selecting an offensive lineman in the first round of April's draft, and didn't select one until the fifth round. In the free-agency game, they scooped up former Chiefs player Jordan Black. The five expected starters for the upcoming season were all with the Texans last year. They know the offense and are familiar with the game plan. But based on the unit's '06 performance, is that even a good thing?
7. Indianapolis Colts cornerbacks
Expected Opening Day depth chart: Kelvin Hayden, Marlin Jackson, Tim Jennings, Daymeion Hughes, T.J. Rushing, Michael Coe, Tanard Davis
Super Bowl playmakers Nick Harper and Jason David are gone, but young contributors Kelvin Hayden and Marlin Jackson remain. Of course, Jackson has played more at free safety than cornerback in his two seasons with the Colts. What's left? Seldom-used second-year man Tim Jennings, even less frequently used second-year man T.J. Rushing, and a carnival of rookies in Hughes, Coe and Davis.
For as much as Peyton Manning may feast on the Patriots current cornerback situation, Mr. Brady might enjoy lining up against the Colts corners even more. Neither team's cornerbacks come close to matching up with the talent and depth in Denver, Baltimore and Jacksonville.
8. Tennessee Titans receivers
Expected Opening Day depth chart: Brandon Jones, Courtney Roby, David Givens, Roydell Williams, Justin Cage, Paul Williams
No team had a more curious off-season than Tennessee. The Titans let a 1,300-yard back in Travis Henry sign with Denver, failed to re-sign No. 1 wideout Drew Bennett and No. 2 wideout Bobby Wade, then endured the entire Pacman Jones situation. They then failed to address all three voids with their first-round pick in April's draft.
The receiver spot is especially worrisome. As much as I see potential in guys like Bobby Jones and Courtney Roby, neither are proven NFL performers. David Givens likely isn't a No. 1 at this point in his career and Roydell Williams isn't going to a Pro Bowl anytime soon.
Vince Young's going to be asked to do a lot this year. I'm just not sure he's got the help at wideout to do it.
9. Tennessee Titans running backs
Expected Opening Day depth chart: LenDale White, Chris Brown, Chris Henry, Quinton Ganther
Along with the wideout position, there are definite question marks in the Titans backfield heading into this season, as well. LenDale White's been battling weight issues since he was drafted in '06, Chris Brown's been battling injuries since '05, and Chris Henry's been battling constant second guessing from every NFL draft pundit with access to a keyboard and a URL since April. All three should start the year with chips on their shoulders and with something to prove.
Titans fans can only hope it all works out well. Otherwise, it will be a long season tracking Travis Henry and his 100-yard games out in Denver.
10. Atlanta Falcons quarterback
Expected Opening Day depth chart: Michael Vick*, Joey Harrington, Chris Redman, D.J. Shockley
You were waiting for this one. I denoted the Vick situation with the ugliest possible symbol in sports — an asterisk. Steroids, recruiting violations, dog fighting — if you've done (or been accused of) something bad, you get the dreaded asterisk.
Peter Schrager
NFL training camps begin this week. Get ready for the onslaught of unbridled optimism.
Talk to a Browns fan in July, and he's giddy over the Charlie Frye/Braylon Edwards connection, gabbing about Joe Thomas' work ethic, and insisting that with LeCharles Bentley back in the fold — this is Cleveland's breakout season. Raiders fans? Despite a 2-14 season last year, a super young offense, a rookie coach, and new starters at basically every offensive skill position, the inhabitants of the Black Hole are seriously talking about the playoffs. Texans fans love the Schaub and Green moves, Lions die-hards are giddy over Year 2 of the Martz/Marinelli era, and even Dolphins fans are smiling.
And isn't that the beauty of training-camp season? Reports leak of seventh-round picks making phenomenal grabs in traffic during a July mini-camp and you think you've got the next Marques Colston suiting up for your team. Three weeks later, the guy's an August cut and never heard from again. Rookies battle veterans in the heat, coaches spit their venom from the sidelines, and undrafted cats from small schools make unexpected runs at roster spots not intended for them.
For all the dog fighting, strip-club shootouts and Vegas casino slapfests in the news over the off-season, the NFL can finally get back to its bread and butter this week — actual football.
The fans have been salivating for it.
Trust me, so has the media.
And on the eve of training camps opening across the country, there's unbridled optimism from coast to coast.
But what fan bases should be a little worried? Where are the biggest question marks? Here are 10 trouble spots worth keeping a careful eye on throughout the training-camp season:
1. Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks
Expected Opening Day depth chart: Tarvaris Jackson, Brooks Bollinger, Tyler Thigpen
Yikes. Jackson, Bollinger and Thigpen may sound more like a personal-injury law firm than an NFL quarterback trio, but it's actually the Vikings' Nos. 1, 2 and 3 at QB heading into training camp. Brad Childress and the Vikings brass are confident in second-year man Jackson, but it's tough to be 100 percent sure about the kid based on last year's late-season performance.
Though Jackson played well in relief during mop-up duty in a blowout loss to the Jets on Dec. 17, he had one of the most underwhelming performances out of any QB last season in the Vikes' nationally televised 9-7 loss in Green Bay. Jackson went 10-for-20 for a paltry 50 yards with an interception that night, and left every Vikings fan whispering and mumbling about Brady Quinn.
Well, Minnesota didn't make any waves with the quarterback position in either the early rounds of the draft (they passed on Quinn) or the free-agent market this off-season. Jackson's their guy. And if it's not him, it's the undersized, over-achieving Bollinger.
As for Tyler Thigpen? Well, he threw for over 3,000 yards last season...for the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. Combined, the three young signal callers have started 11 NFL games — none of them being playoff contests.
Vikings fans, buckle up. This could be interesting.
2. Green Bay Packers running backs
Expected Opening Day depth chart: Vernand Morency, Brandon Jackson, Noah Herron, DeShawn Wynn
In today's NFL, it's no longer sexy to have one workhorse tailback carrying the ball 35 times and racking up over 500 touches in a season. It's a running back by committee world now, folks. Everywhere you look, two-back — and sometimes three-back — platoons are racking up yards, and ruining fantasy leagues. Jacksonville, Minnesota, Detroit, Washington, Dallas and the New York Jets will all employ high-powered, etablished multi-back offenses this year. And so will Green Bay. Or so it seems.
But with who? With the departure of both Ahman Green and William Henderson in the off-season, Green Bay's left with a rather non-descript foursome of rookies and young vets in their backfield. Morency and Herron have combined for 683 career rushing yards, while neither Jackson nor Wynn were the lone ball carriers in their college systems last year. It's one thing to have Julius Jones and Marion Barber sharing touches. But Morency, Jackson, Herron and Wynn? Hmm...
3. Minnesota Vikings wide receivers
Expected Opening Day depth chart: Bobby Wade, Troy Williamson, Sidney Rice, Billy McMullen
Not to pile on the Vikings faithful, here, but c'mon. It's one thing to have some question marks at quarterback when you've got proven veteran wideouts to pick up the slack. But Minnesota's wide receiver depth chart looks more like an NFL Europe team's corps than an NFL contender's.
Bobby Wade had a career year last season in Tennessee, and still only had 33 receptions. One more underwhelming campaign and it will be about time to write off former top-10 selection Troy Williamson as a colossal draft bust, second-round selection Sidney Rice is still very raw, and Billy McMullen couldn't break through on a 2005 Eagles team whose top receivers were Todd Pinkston and a batch of unknown rookies.
Brad Childress is an offensive mind. He'll make due with what he's got and that rushing attack's going to be out of this world. But the passing game? Eek. I'm not so sure.
4. New England Patriots cornerbacks
Expected Opening Day depth chart: Ellis Hobbs, Chad Scott, Ray Mickens, Willie Andrews, Tory James, Randall Gay
While everyone else covering the NFL seems to be fitting the Pats for their Super Bowl XXLII rings this summer, I've publicly voiced my reservations time and time again. One of New England's biggest question marks heading into training camp is the cornerback position. With Asante Samuel's holdout apparently not ending anytime soon, the Pats are left with a crew consisting of fairly green players like Scott and Hobbs, along with veterans who have seen better days five to 10 years ago like Mickens and James.
Sure, the Pats won a Super Bowl in 2005 with fill-ins and contributions from Troy Brown at defensive back. But they didn't START the season in such dire straits. It may not be as bad as I'm making it out to be — but it's certainly not good. That front seven could quite be the best in the league and those safeties are tough up the middle. But the cornerback spot would have me a bit worried come opening day if I were part of Patriots Nation.
5. San Diego Chargers coaching staff
Expected Opening Day coaching staff: Norv Turner, head coach; Ted Cottrell, defensive coordinator; Clarence Shelmon, offensive coordinator
The Chargers were the only NFL team to not sign a single new veteran free agent over the off-season. A 14-2 squad last year, San Diego will go to war in '07 with almost exactly the same roster they battled with in '06. So why are some folks in the media picking the Broncos to win the AFC West? Well, the coaching staff has changed quite a bit down in SoCal. And few say for the better.
Gone is head coach Marty Schottenheimer (some say this is a good thing), offensive coordinator Cam Cameron (now Miami's head coach), and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips (now the head coach in Dallas). Also lost are tight ends coach Rob Chudzinski (the new offensive coordinator in Cleveland) and linebackers coach Greg Manusky (now the defensive coordinator for San Francisco).
In comes Norv Turner as the new head coach, Ted Cottrell as the new defensive coordinator, Clarence Shelmon takes the helm at O-coordinator, and former Bears defensive whiz Ron Riviera comes in as Manusky's replacement as linebackers coach. Turner has a history with San Diego (offensive coordinator under Mike Riley in 2001, 2002) and has recently been the recipient of showered praise in NFL circles for his role in the rapid development of 49ers quarterback Alex Smith.
But he's still Norv Turner. The same Norv Turner that has a career head coaching record of 58-82-1. The same Norv Turner who is 1-1 in career postseason contests. Excuse me for not doing flips over the hiring.
Cottrell's one of the more respected defensive minds in the game, but has had his failures along the way, too. Shelmon's a longtime Chargers assistant who has worked with running backs Emmitt Smith, Chris Warren, and Tomlinson over the course of his 16-year coaching career, but is a first-year coordinator. A 14-2 team losing a coach here or a coordinator there is expected, but the top three spots on the coaching pyramid? That's a lot to overcome.
San Diego should be fine this season. They're the favorites in the AFC West and will more than likely make the playoffs. But are they better than they were in 2006? That's hard to say. It's like one of those old high school chemistry experiments. The roster is the "control" here, as it's remained unchanged. The coaching staff, though, has an entirely new look. Let's see what kind of chemist GM A.J. Smith is.
6. Houston Texans offensive line
Expected Opening Day depth chart: Eric Winston (RT), Fred Weary (RG), Mike Flanagan (C), Chester Pitts (LG), Ephraim Salaam (LT)
What'd the Four Tops once sing? "It's the same old song?" Well, that could be the Texans soundtrack music for each and every one of their off-seasons since the team entered the league in 2002. The familiar site of David Carr lying on his back under a heap of opposing defensive tackles and linebackers can now be replaced with the site of Matt Schaub lying on his back under a heap of opposing defensive tackles and linebackers. That is, of course, unless the O-line drastically improves.
The Texans opted to pass on selecting an offensive lineman in the first round of April's draft, and didn't select one until the fifth round. In the free-agency game, they scooped up former Chiefs player Jordan Black. The five expected starters for the upcoming season were all with the Texans last year. They know the offense and are familiar with the game plan. But based on the unit's '06 performance, is that even a good thing?
7. Indianapolis Colts cornerbacks
Expected Opening Day depth chart: Kelvin Hayden, Marlin Jackson, Tim Jennings, Daymeion Hughes, T.J. Rushing, Michael Coe, Tanard Davis
Super Bowl playmakers Nick Harper and Jason David are gone, but young contributors Kelvin Hayden and Marlin Jackson remain. Of course, Jackson has played more at free safety than cornerback in his two seasons with the Colts. What's left? Seldom-used second-year man Tim Jennings, even less frequently used second-year man T.J. Rushing, and a carnival of rookies in Hughes, Coe and Davis.
For as much as Peyton Manning may feast on the Patriots current cornerback situation, Mr. Brady might enjoy lining up against the Colts corners even more. Neither team's cornerbacks come close to matching up with the talent and depth in Denver, Baltimore and Jacksonville.
8. Tennessee Titans receivers
Expected Opening Day depth chart: Brandon Jones, Courtney Roby, David Givens, Roydell Williams, Justin Cage, Paul Williams
No team had a more curious off-season than Tennessee. The Titans let a 1,300-yard back in Travis Henry sign with Denver, failed to re-sign No. 1 wideout Drew Bennett and No. 2 wideout Bobby Wade, then endured the entire Pacman Jones situation. They then failed to address all three voids with their first-round pick in April's draft.
The receiver spot is especially worrisome. As much as I see potential in guys like Bobby Jones and Courtney Roby, neither are proven NFL performers. David Givens likely isn't a No. 1 at this point in his career and Roydell Williams isn't going to a Pro Bowl anytime soon.
Vince Young's going to be asked to do a lot this year. I'm just not sure he's got the help at wideout to do it.
9. Tennessee Titans running backs
Expected Opening Day depth chart: LenDale White, Chris Brown, Chris Henry, Quinton Ganther
Along with the wideout position, there are definite question marks in the Titans backfield heading into this season, as well. LenDale White's been battling weight issues since he was drafted in '06, Chris Brown's been battling injuries since '05, and Chris Henry's been battling constant second guessing from every NFL draft pundit with access to a keyboard and a URL since April. All three should start the year with chips on their shoulders and with something to prove.
Titans fans can only hope it all works out well. Otherwise, it will be a long season tracking Travis Henry and his 100-yard games out in Denver.
10. Atlanta Falcons quarterback
Expected Opening Day depth chart: Michael Vick*, Joey Harrington, Chris Redman, D.J. Shockley
You were waiting for this one. I denoted the Vick situation with the ugliest possible symbol in sports — an asterisk. Steroids, recruiting violations, dog fighting — if you've done (or been accused of) something bad, you get the dreaded asterisk.