OFFICIAL 2013 Training Camp & Preseason: News & Tidbits Thread (1 Viewer)

05:26 – Are expectations higher than usual this season for quarterback Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys? Nick Eatman of Dallascowboys.com joins "NFL AM" to preview the team's upcoming training camp.

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With under two weeks until the Eagles rookies report for Training Camp at the NovaCare Complex, we’re taking a look at the most important questions heading into the season for each position group on the Eagles. After yesterday’s look at the quarterbacks, we turn our attention to the backfield, where the new-look offense promises to feature some more action …

1. How Often Will The Eagles Run?

Oh, did you think you had heard the last of the dreaded “run-pass ratio?” With a fresh new offense in tow, the sense of intrigue surrounding the offensive philosophy implemented by Chip Kelly and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur is among the biggest storylines of the 2013 season. Consider that Kelly’s teams at Oregon ran the ball 64.1 percent of the time during his four seasons as head coach. That’s an astoundingly high number, admittedly inflated by a different style of play in college and the not-so-occasional Ducks blowout.

But over that same four-year time frame, the average NFL team has run the ball about 44.6 percent of the time. That number has also decreased each of the last four seasons, as NFL teams ran the ball 43.9 percent of the time in 2012. The Eagles, meanwhile, have consistently passed more than the league average and are coming off a season in which they ran the ball only 40 percent of the time. That number is certainly set to increase under Kelly, but the mystery is just how much the Eagles will lean on a talented backfield that includes LeSean McCoy and Bryce Brown. That the Eagles have such a dynamic duo, in addition to a group of talented backups, should allow Kelly to run whenever he sees fit. McCoy, meanwhile, has proven that he can handle a heavy workload, as evidence by his 321 offensive touches in 2011 (the fourth-highest total in the league that season).

2. What’s The Next Step For Bryce Brown?

We already know what McCoy can do when the offense is clicking, but the presence of a one-two punch with Brown is what makes the offense truly exciting heading into the 2013 season. As a 21-year-old rookie (and the second-youngest player in the league), Brown introduced himself to Eagles fans in a big way with 178 and 169 rushing yards respectively in his first two starts. Though Brown’s numbers slowed a bit to close the season, it’s obvious that the talent is there for him to be a difference maker for the Eagles. But there was one thing that slowed Brown down as a rookie.

Ball security “has been probably my number one priority besides being in shape,” Brown told PhiladelphiaEagles.com earlier this offseason. “I think being in shape and being able to go longer will help me in that area. I can say that last year I wasn’t in the best shape that I could be. I’m in a lot better shape now. I think me being in the best shape that I can will allow me to dig deep, fight harder and be able to hone in on the little things like keep the ball (protected).”

Brown’s fumbling issues, while probably overstated a bit, don’t seem to worrisome when you look at the history of rookie running backs and fumbling. Brown fumbled four time last season over 128 offensive touches, good for 32 touches per fumble. The list of rookie running backs who have had worse rates includes Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, Gale Sayers, Thurman Thomas and, more recently, C.J. Spiller. Every one of those running backs suffered the worst fumble rate of their career in that rookie season. Add on that Brown was playing in his first full football season since high school and it’s easy to see why there’s promise for his ball protection moving forward.

3. How Many Backs Will Kelly Keep?

Traditionally under Andy Reid, the Eagles kept three running backs on the active roster, though they did keep four in 2012. With Kelly likely to lean heavier on the running game, there’s every expectation that four running backs could be the norm moving forward. Barring injury, knock on wood, McCoy and Brown are locks to make the team. That would leave three backs to fight for two spots.

Incumbent Chris Polk has much to prove entering his second season after a rookie year spent on the sidelines. Polk has trimmed down this offseason to keep himself in better shape and will have every opportunity to prove himself throughout Training Camp. Felix Jones is the veteran of the Eagles running backs after five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and has been an explosive player during his career, rushing for an impressive 4.8 yards per carry. But Jones is coming off a 2012 season during which he posted a career low 3.6 yards per carry and there is a real question as to how much he has left in the tank. Finally, undrafted rookie Matthew Tucker out of TCU is in the mix and does appear to provide a different dynamic as the biggest running back on the roster at 6-1, 227. Tucker will have to prove he can catch the ball and pass protect at the NFL level, but he will be an intriguing player to follow throughout the next month and beyond.

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In two weeks, the rookies and selected veterans report to the NovaCare Complex to kick off the first Training Camp of the Chip Kelly era. There are a lot of questions that will be answered before the Eagles travel to take on the Washington Redskins for the season opener. We will pick three questions for each position and try to shed light on what to keep an eye on once the full-team practices get underway. Our Training Camp preview begins with the quarterback position ...

1. Who Will Be The Starting Quarterback?

This will easily be the most discussed, debated and analyzed topic for the Eagles and there is no clear answer at this point. From the time the Eagles restructured Michael Vick's contract in February, head coach Chip Kelly has declared that the job for the starting quarterback position will be an open competition.

During the spring camps, Vick and second-year quarterback Nick Foles split the overwhelming majority of the first-team reps. In Vick, the Eagles have a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback who has openly praised Kelly's up-tempo, spread offense. Kelly loves Vick's competitive spirit, his quick release, tremendous arm strength and overall skill set. Foles took over as the starter last season and showed poise and confidence as he broke a number of franchise rookie passing records. Kelly has also said he is excited by Foles' quick-decision making, skill set and size at 6-6, 243 pounds.

What fans have to remember is that there are more than two quarterbacks battling for the starting job. There's Dennis Dixon, who had success with Kelly at Oregon, and G.J. Kinne, a first-year quarterback out of Tulsa, and ...

2. Could The Eagles Turn To Rookie Matt Barkley?

In a word, yes. Barkley was drafted by the Eagles with the first pick in the fourth round after the team ranked him as one of the 50 best players in the entire NFL Draft. Barkley was potentially a surefire first-round pick in the past, but he has done nothing but look ahead to the future since arriving in Philadelphia. Assistant coaches have praised Barkley for his work ethic and he's shown uncommon poise for a first-year player.

Kelly saw Barkley up close and personal as the head coach of Oregon. Barkley started as a true freshman and shattered a number of USC and Pac-12 passing records by the time his collegiate career was complete. Kelly relishes Barkley's mental toughness. The perceived knock on Barkley entering the NFL Draft was his arm strength. Barkley's senior season at USC ended early due to a shoulder injury, but that held up fine during the spring camps. And Kelly believes that Barkley has more than enough arm strength, as most of you would recall the, "We're not trying to knock over milk cartons at the county fair," quote after Barkley was selected.

Kelly has insisted that the best quarterback will start. At Oregon, Kelly relied on quarterbacks with different levels of skill sets and experience - including a redshirt freshman in Marcus Mariota last season. Plus, don't forget offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has extensive experience with young quarterbacks. In 2010, Shurmur guided Sam Bradford to AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in St. Louis. Last year, Brandon Weeden was the Week 1 starter for the Cleveland Browns against the Eagles.

3. What Does Chip Kelly Want In His Starter?

Kelly listed that the "No. 1 quality" that he's looking for in a quarterback is repetitive accuracy.

Vick is the franchise's all-time leader in completion percentage. Foles completed nearly 61 percent of his passes last season. Barkley's was above 62 percent in each of his final three seasons.

Shurmur said at the start of the spring camps that the team hopes it's "very obvious" who the starter is by the end of the preseason. Kelly has said that he will be flexible and not force the offense onto any particular quarterback, but accentuate the strengths of whomever the signal caller becomes.

When Kelly was first hired, the misperception was that the quarterback had to be mobile so he could run the read-option. That would certainly have tilted the scales in Vick's favor, but the selection of Barkley and Foles' presence in the spring camps validated Kelly when he said that he wants a quarterback with the ability to run, not a running back who can throw.

Even at Oregon, and before that at New Hampshire, Kelly worked with quarterbacks who were not the most nimble. Darron Thomas took Oregon to a BCS Championship Game and a Rose Bowl and he featured less mobility than any of the other quarterbacks Kelly worked with at Oregon.

Each of the Eagles' quarterbacks brings something different to the table. The one who can maximize his strengths, make the fewest mistakes and proficiently function in Kelly's offense will be leading the team onto FedEx Field for the Monday Night Showdown with the Redskins.

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04:25 – The "NFL Total Access" crew debates which players will be Day One starters after training camp. Will Mark Sanchez or Geno Smith be the starting quarterback for the New York Jets?

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BREAKOUT PLAYER: WR Danny Amendola

This marriage was inevitable given the receiver's similarity to Wes Welker and his relationship with Josh McDaniels.

Amendola played just 12 games over the past two seasons, but if he assimilates quickly into the offense, he should easily break his single-season high of 85 catches from 2010.

SCOUT'S TAKE: RB Stevan Ridley

"He's a guy with athletic ability, change-of-direction—he can put multiple moves together, he was competitive. I don't know if he has the structure to be a consistent move-the-pile kind of back. He's more of an off-tackle guy; he can find the seam, and he can make some things happen once he gets across the line of scrimmage. But I don't see him the way I see a Doug Martin — he's not Adrian Peterson (a power back). I think he's a good athlete, fast in the open field. I don't think he has a dominating strength, but he doesn't necessarily need it."

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Analysis: offenseIf coordinator Josh McDaniels is losing sleep over his unit, it's because he is occupied with two thoughts: Do Tom Brady and Danny Amendola have chemistry? And how can I make sure these guys stay healthy?

New England relies on short-to-intermediate passes with multiple guys as the option on any given play, and it has made the tight end a big part of the offense. The only problem is that the majority of Brady's potential pass catchers have an injury history.

Quarterbacks: Brady will turn 36 during training camp. His age is a concern for many, who speak of the metaphorical window closing on his career and of his desire to sneak in one more Lombardi Trophy before he retires.

By his own standards, Brady in 2012 was about where he usually is: His completion percentage dipped a couple of points, and his yards-per-attempt average was down a bit as well, but his touchdowns-to-interception ratio was nearly 4:1. And after an offseason extension that will potentially keep him around through 2017, New England doesn't appear to have concerns.

When Brady finally does retire, will his successor be Ryan Mallett? The Patriots used a third-round pick on Mallett in 2011. In training camp last summer, he was still very much a work-in-progress, holding the ball too long and lacking touch on shorter passes, but word is he made strides in practice during the season. He is the only other quarterback on the roster, an indication the Patriots are at least comfortable with him as backup.

The Patriots added Tim Tebow this week, ostensibly as the No. 3. Reunited with McDaniels, who drafted him in Denver, Tebow will get the opportunity to develop his still-raw skills and learn under a future Hall of Famer. It's the best scenario for Tebow at this point in his career. However, Tebow isn't expected to be a contributor. GRADE: A-

Running backs: Stevan Ridley established himself as the lead back last year when he rushed for 1,293 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and 12 touchdowns. His 82 carries for first downs ranked third in the league behind Adrian Peterson's 85 and Alfred Morris' 83.

Ridley enters camp as the No. 1 but could be pushed by Brandon Bolden. An undrafted rookie in 2012, Bolden was challenging Ridley for carries when he was injured and then tagged with a four-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs, and he never returned to form.

Danny Woodhead left for San Diego in free agency, and his presence will be missed. That New England let him go is a sign of confidence in 2011 second-rounder Shane Vereen.

The Patriots added Leon Washington in free agency. He isn't the back he once was, but one of Belichick's hallmarks is highlighting a player's strengths while minimizing his weaknesses. GRADE: B

Receivers: At one point in the offseason, the Patriots had more tight ends on the roster than receivers. When healthy, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez were the NFL's most dynamic pair of tight ends.

However, Gronkowski's June back surgery puts his availability for the start of the season in doubt and could open the door for Jake Ballard or even undrafted rookie Zach Sudfeld to see the field more.

Plus, Hernandez was the central figure in a Massachusetts investigation into the shooting death of a man with ties to the tight end. The team released Hernandez following his arrest on June 26.
Amendola and Julian Edelman, left, have the unenviable task of replacing Wes Welker, who averaged more than 100 catches a year in six seasons with the Patriots. Edelman knows the offense, and Amendola has some familiarity with it thanks to the year he and McDaniels spent together at St. Louis in 2011.

Fourth-year receiver Donald Jones, who was signed as a free agent, is coming off the best season of his young career. Veteran Michael Jenkins will also be a contributor.

In the draft, the Patriots might have hit on the vertical threat they've been missing since trading Randy Moss in 2010 — they took Aaron Dobson (second round, Marshall) and Josh Boyce (fourth, TCU), both of whom project as boundary receivers. GRADE: B+

Offensive line: By re-signing right tackle Sebastian Vollmer, the Patriots guaranteed that the starting five from last year will return. Vollmer is another player who dealt with injuries last season, but when healthy he is one of the two or three best players in the league at his position.

Nate Solder, a first-round pick in 2011, fared well in his first season as the full-time starter at left tackle. Left guard Logan Mankins, whose nasty demeanor in the trenches rubs off on his linemates, missed significant time to injury last year but appears to be healthy.

Dan Connolly, who has moved between the two guard spots and center in his time with New England, might be the weak spot on the line, though he is still effective. He could, however, be pushed by third-year player Marcus Cannon, who has been got work at tackle and guard in the spring.The real surprise last year was center Ryan Wendell. Starting for the first time after being groomed for the position for a couple of years, Wendell is smart, tough and a standout run blocker. GRADE: B+

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03:33 – What will Chip Kelly's training camp look like in Philadelphia? Which New York Jets quarterback will come out of camp as the starter? Mike Mayock previews these NFL training camps and more on "NFL AM."

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04:28 – Find out why one reporter says New York Jets players still have a "good deal of respect" for Mark Sanchez and why quarterback Geno Smiths' absence from Jets West camp doesn't bother him.

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Bryan Strickland’s overview on Carolina’s situation at wide receiver got me thinking about just how deep the Panthers are at this position.

Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell are set as the starters. But, after that, I see six guys competing for what likely will be four roster spots.

Let’s take a look at the candidates:

Domenik Hixon. Brought in as a free agent, his experience and ties to general manager Dave Gettleman could make Hixon the favorite to claim the No. 3 receiver spot. But he’ll face plenty of competition.

Ted Ginn Jr. Another free-agent pickup, who is likely to handle at least some return duties. Ginn had a great offseason and sparked hopes that he can win the No. 3 receiver job. Ginn has elite speed. But the real test will come in training camp and the preseason. Ginn has looked great in shorts before, but hasn’t always produced in the regular season.

Armanti Edwards. This former college quarterback struggled in adjusting to wide receiver, but there were signs in the offseason program Edwards may be catching onto the position. He also has ability in the return game, but needs to use camp and the preseason to show he can contribute as a receiver in order to earn a roster spot.

David Gettis. He missed almost all of the past two seasons with injuries after showing some promise as a rookie in 2010. The coaching staff doesn’t have high expectations for Gettis, but he could put himself back into good graces if he’s healthy and has a strong showing in camp and the preseason games.

Kealoha Pilares. He’s another guy with return skills. But, if he’s going to stick on the roster, Pilares needs to show he can contribute at least a little bit as a wide receiver.

Joe Adams. The Panthers wanted him to be their primary return man as a rookie last season, but he lost that job after struggling early. The potential to be an explosive return man is still there. But, like Pilares, Adams also needs to show he can contribute as a receiver to have a shot at staying on the roster.

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Faust said:

Sorting through Carolina's WR corps

By Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com

Bryan Strickland’s overview on Carolina’s situation at wide receiver got me thinking about just how deep the Panthers are at this position.Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell are set as the starters. But, after that, I see six guys competing for what likely will be four roster spots.

Let’s take a look at the candidates:Domenik Hixon. Brought in as a free agent, his experience and ties to general manager Dave Gettleman could make Hixon the favorite to claim the No. 3 receiver spot. But he’ll face plenty of competition.

Ted Ginn Jr. Another free-agent pickup, who is likely to handle at least some return duties. Ginn had a great offseason and sparked hopes that he can win the No. 3 receiver job. Ginn has elite speed. But the real test will come in training camp and the preseason. Ginn has looked great in shorts before, but hasn’t always produced in the regular season.

Armanti Edwards. This former college quarterback struggled in adjusting to wide receiver, but there were signs in the offseason program Edwards may be catching onto the position. He also has ability in the return game, but needs to use camp and the preseason to show he can contribute as a receiver in order to earn a roster spot.

David Gettis. He missed almost all of the past two seasons with injuries after showing some promise as a rookie in 2010. The coaching staff doesn’t have high expectations for Gettis, but he could put himself back into good graces if he’s healthy and has a strong showing in camp and the preseason games.

Kealoha Pilares. He’s another guy with return skills. But, if he’s going to stick on the roster, Pilares needs to show he can contribute at least a little bit as a wide receiver.

Joe Adams. The Panthers wanted him to be their primary return man as a rookie last season, but he lost that job after struggling early. The potential to be an explosive return man is still there. But, like Pilares, Adams also needs to show he can contribute as a receiver to have a shot at staying on the roster.

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Nationally, Michael Vick has already been crowned the Eagles' Week 1 starter, and any suggestions that Nick Foles or Matt Barkley could unseat him are absurd. Vick certainly has a number of things going for him:

• Who has the best arm strength among the Eagles' 5 QBs: Vick by a mile.
• Who has the most ability to make plays with his feet: Vick by a mile.
• Who has the most NFL experience: Vick by a mile.

The issue for Michael Vick, however, is that he is coming off two turnover-filled seasons. Not helping matters is that he was outplayed by Nick Foles in OTAs and minicamp. Foles got the ball out quicker than Vick, was generally more accurate, and is putting receivers in a better position to get yards after the catch.

Nick Foles circa July 2013 looks far better than Nick Foles circa 2012. In fact, I was so thoroughly unimpressed with Foles at the 2012 Senior Bowl, that he made my "12 players who did not impress me" list from that week:



Nick Foles, QB, Arizona
– Some folks had Foles rated as the #1 QB coming into the Senior Bowl, and I’ve seen it suggested that he could be a first round pick. Not happening. Personally, I didn’t see any aspect of his game that was particularly impressive, and thought Brandon Weeden blew him away in every aspect of QB play this week. In fact, I felt that Kirk Cousins pretty soundly outplayed him as well.
Foles has come a long way. About a month ago, I wrote about the difference between Nick Foles in training camp last year and what I've seen so far from him in OTAs and minicamp:

The natural, intangible progressions from a rookie to a second year player like "He looks more confident" apply, but there's another difference that I see in Foles' play that is more tangible. Last year, here's something I wrote about him:

"Something I’m beginning to notice with Nick Foles: If he throws the ball more than 15-20 yards downfield, it quacks."

What I meant by that was that Foles wasn't throwing tight spirals on the more difficult throws. His passes often wobbled, like "wounded ducks." Hence they "quacked."

That is no longer the case. Yesterday, Foles unleashed a 60 yard TD that was on the money to DeSean Jackson. On the very next play, he threw a 20 yard laser through heavy traffic, which once again, was also on the money. Those were throws he was not making in training camp last year. They were "wow" throws. Is it just a matter of Foles getting more comfortable with the ball used in the pros? Is it simply that he's doing less thinking and just letting it rip? I don't know the answer, but whatever it is, he's throwing a much prettier ball.
Last year, after watching Trent Edwards routinely miss receivers running the route tree with no defense on the field, I wasn't sure if he would even make it to training camp before getting cut. He wound up making the team. The important thing to note there is that we're in "Mile 1" of a marathon. At some point, could Michael Vick just begin to pull away from the rest of the pack because he's so talented? Absolutely. But for now, this competition is very real, and Foles is in the lead.

Beyond Vick and Foles, a lot of attention will be paid to Matt Barkley. Barkley impressed me during OTAs and training camp. He was getting teammates lined up in the right spots, he was calling audibles, and looked advanced far beyond his rookie status. However, in terms of a comparison between Barkley and Foles (which is probably the more apt comparison in terms of style), I think Barkley has a pretty steep uphill climb to win a starting job. But without question, Barkley will obviously make the team.

And then there's Dennis Dixon. Mike Kaye of Bleeding Green Nation mapped out a scenario in which Dixon could make the team if Vick were to lose the starting job. G.J. Kinne has ability and has looked athletic, but he's probably little more than an extra arm.

Follow Jimmy on Twitter.

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We took two weeks of vacation to regroup, and, with that, we've got some random thoughts before the Cowboys head to training camp.

1. There are no major decisions looming for the Cowboys before leaving Dallas for Oxnard, Calif. That's a positive thing. The only real decision revolves around defensive tackle Josh Brent, and it seems the NFL will make a decision on his case. Jay Ratliff has a court case in August, but it's doubtful the team and the NFL will discipline him severely. He won't get suspended, and, at worse, he'll get fined. So, all the major decisions for the Cowboys come on the field. The other safety spot could go to Will Allen, and the starting center might be Travis Frederick, but if Phil Costa wins the gig, that's not a bad thing. The No. 3 receiver is either Dwayne Harris or Terrance Williams. The Cowboys, unlike the New England Patriots, go into training camp with little or no distractions.

2. Defensive end Anthony Spencer enters the 2013 season a man in charge of his financial freedom. He'll play under the franchise tag of $10.6 million, but he wants a long-term contract with the Cowboys. He won't receive one, so instead he'll play this season out and become an unrestricted free agent in 2014. Spencer is coming off a career season, during which he compiled 11 sacks and was the main focus of the defense in the last two weeks of the season with DeMarcus Ware nicked up with shoulder and elbow injuries. If Spencer is to command a hefty salary in free agency next year, how he performs in the new 4-3 scheme at end will dictate plenty. Spencer also has the flexibility of going back to outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme in 2014, which increases his marketability among teams. A good season helps Spencer. An average season merits a short-term deal.

3. Some fans expressed dismay at the release of fullback Lawrence Vickers last week. If the Cowboys really wanted a fullback on the roster, they would not only have cut Vickers, which they did, but signed Vonta Leach, the best fullback on the free-agent market, which they didn't. The Cowboys will go with four tight ends, and the signing of veteran Dante Rosario meant the end of Vickers. Rosario will play special teams, and that made Vickers expendable. Sure, Vickers would have played special teams, too, but new special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia trusts Rosario more.

4. If you want to say Dez Bryant had the most impressive offseason for the Cowboys, that would be accurate. But backup running back Lance Dunbar was impressive as well during offseason workouts. Dunbar is a speedy back who could be used in third-down situations. Dunbar needs improvement on pass blocking, size could be an issue, yet, he's someone worth watching in training camp. We're not saying he should become a starter if DeMarco Murray gets hurt again, but Dunbar should see more playing time than he did last season.

5. The Cowboys offense had a delay of game penalty during offseason practices with Bill Callahan calling the play and Wade Wilson standing next to him on the field. What's going to happen with Callahan in the press box and Wilson on the field during games? The Cowboys made the switch to take some duties away from head coach Jason Garrett. For this move to work, the Cowboys need to work the mechanics of this smoothly. Having five preseason games will help in this process, but I question having Callahan in the press box relaying the play call to Wilson, who will be on the field. If things get haywire, moving Callahan to the sidelines could solve any problems.

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Faust said:

Detroit Lions 2013 training camp battles: Mike Thomas vs. Patrick Edwards vs. Kris Durham

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The Morning Kickoff …

Countdown to training camp: One in a series previewing the Browns’ roster leading up to the opening of training camp on July 24.

Position: Running back.

Quick overview: Although the offense espoused by coach Rob Chudzinski and coordinator Norv Turner is known for its vertical-strike passing game, the foundation essentially is a power running attack. Turner’s coaching roots lie with John Robinson’s power-running teams at USC and the old Los Angeles Rams. When Chudzinski oversaw the most productive Browns offense in 30 years in 2007, Jamal Lewis rushed for 1,304 yards. Lewis’ 298 carries (he missed one game) ranks No. 3 on the club’s all-time season list and only Jim Brown had more yards in a season in franchise history.

Projected keepers on final roster: Four.

Starters entering camp: 33 Trent Richardson (2013 salary cap number: $4.656 million) and 48 Owen Marecic (cap: $657,000).

Others in camp (alphabetically): 20 Montario Hardesty, 29 Brandon Jackson, 28 Dion Lewis, 35 Miguel Maysonet, 25 Chris Ogbonnaya, 47 Brad Smelley.

Newcomers: Lewis, acquired in trade with Philadelphia for linebacker Emmanuel Acho; Maysonet (claimed off waivers from Philadelphia).

Analysis: One of the first things Turner said to Richardson upon meeting him was, “You know I had Emmitt Smith.” Smith, who preceded Richardson as a football hero in Pensacola, Fla., won three of his four NFL rushing titles in Dallas with Turner as Cowboys coordinator. He also averaged 55 catches a season. The Browns kept Richardson out of about one-half the OTA and minicamp practices because of a pulled muscle in a lower leg. Club doctors feared the injury might lead to a stress fracture, so they shut him down. Backs under Turner average about 300 carries and 55 catches in a season, so Richardson has to stay healthy for the offense to work.

Don’t be surprised if: Montario Hardesty loses his roster spot. Turner’s backs have to be able to catch the ball. Hardesty is a hard runner who has overcome numerous knee injuries and survived two head coaches. Through it all, he has been a liability as a dump-off receiver out of the backfield.

Key questions: 1. Can Marecic, the only natural lead-blocker on the roster, retain the fullback position despite a poor 2012, or will the coaches accommodate the position through a combination of Ogbonnaya and a tight end, or with Smelley? 2. Can Ogbonnay or the 5-6 ½ Lewis be counted on to ably replace Richardson in the event of another injury to the feature back?

Fun fact: Three running backs on teams Turner has coached have captured a total of five NFL rushing titles.

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Breaking down the Jets, position by position, as we head to training camp:

Position: Running back.

Projected starters: Chris Ivory, Lex Hilliard.Projected reserves: Mike Goodson, Bilal Powell, Joe McKnight.

New faces: Ivory, Goodson, Tommy Bohanon.

The departed: Shonn Greene.

Player to watch: Ivory, acquired in a draft-day trade with the Saints, is one of the keys to the Jets' season. With Greene gone, they need Ivory to become a 15-carries-a-game back. They see him as a poor man's Marshawn Lynch, a big, bruising runner with the ability to wear down a defense. Ivory has flashed big-time potential in small sample sizes. In 2012, his YAC (yards after contact) was an impressive 4.7 per attempt, according to Pro Football Focus. He had only 40 attempts, yet he still caused 12 missed tackles, nearly equaling Greene's total (15) in 276 attempts, per PFF. The concern with Ivory is that he's never done it for a full season, and that's nothing to take lightly at the running-back position.

Potential strength: Position coach Anthony Lynn has plenty of bodies in his stable of runners. With Ivory, Goodson, Powell and McKnight, the Jets have four experienced backs, a situation that lends itself to a committee approach. John Griffin and rookie FB Bohanon (seventh round) also are battling for roster spots. The question is, do they have any star power? This will be the first time since 1994 they enter a season without a 1,000-yard rusher on the roster. Take a moment to think about that.

Potential weakness: The offense will be predictable when Ivory is on the field. The West Coast system relies on players who can catch the ball out of the backfield, and Ivory (three career receptions) is no Marshall Faulk, that's for sure. That will handcuff coordinator Marty Mornhinweg to a certain degree. Goodson isn't as one-dimensional as Ivory, but he has the skill set of a third-down back. It'll be up to Mornhinweg and Lynn to mix and match the personnel, finding the best roles for the players while keeping defenses off balance.

Wild card: For a couple of reasons, it's Goodson. First of all, will his legal issues keep him off the field? He's still facing drug and weapon charges stemming from a May arrest. If he's available and focused (and not fumbling), Goodson could be an asset to the offense because of his speed and explosiveness. He can take a swing pass and bolt 64 yards for a touchdown, which he did last season for the Raiders. The Jets are desperate for that kind of dimension on offense. The man has skills; the question is whether he can keep his head in the game.

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The Lions' official site calls Ryan Broyles a "likely breakout candidate."
Health permitting, we agree. Broyles is coming up on the eight-month anniversary of his ACL tear and is reportedly far ahead of schedule. If so, the man who Matthew Stafford calls a "chain mover" will push Nate Burleson to be the second-most targeted Lions receiver behind Calvin Johnson. Broyles has the look of a strong sleeper in PPR formats.


Source: detroitlions.com

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The 49ers' training-camp battles were mostly shrug-worthy until May 21. That's when Michael Crabtree, the team's best wideout since Terrell Owens skipped town in 2004, suffered a complete tear of his right Achilles' tendon, an injury that will cost him most, in not all, of the 2013 season. With that injury, wide receiver suddenly became the focus of the 49ers' offseason.

Anquan Boldin alleviated some of the concern this spring by looking as if he'd been playing with Colin Kaepernick for 10 years rather than a few weeks. But the player who will line up most often opposite Boldin remains unknown. It's clear the contenders have talent. Also clear is that none has much experience. The coaching staff is tailoring a competition that will give each of the following players plenty of practice snaps and plenty of opportunities. Their hope is that at least one or two rises above the rest.

1. A.J. Jenkins. He's listed first on this list largely because he's likely to be given the best opportunity to succeed this summer. Jenkins is a former first-round pick, and both Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman had high praise for him in June. It was similar to the encouraging words Harbaugh heaped onto Alex Smith in 2011 and Michael Crabtree in 2012. Every year Harbaugh seems to pick out a player who has not achieved his full potential and tries to prop up his confidence with praise. The strategy appears to work. Smith led his team to the NFC Championship game in 2011 and Crabtree had his best season ever last year.

Jenkins, meanwhile, spent the offseason working on his biggest weakness in 2012 -- his strength. It was hard to tell whether he made strides during the non-contact practices in the spring, but Jenkins is noticeably more confidant than he was a year ago when he seemed to end up on the ground on every third play. Training camp, and especially the preseason, will be the true test for Jenkins, who must prove he can operate in spaces far tighter and more violent than those he experienced at Illinois. If he succeeds, his quickness and fluidity would be a nice complement to Boldin's aggressive style. It's also possible that Jenkins will operate out of the slot where he would have more space with which to work.

Ricardo Lockette. If you went into the lab and created the prototypical wide receiver, you would come out with Lockette. He's the fastest 49er, he's big and muscular, he's sharp and he appears to have the desire to be an NFL starter. Oh, and he's also best friends with Kaepernick. (The two spent the offseason training together and they are housemates in Santa Clara). Lockette's track speed would provide a nice one-two punch with Boldin and would force defenses to keep a safety deep like they did last season when Randy Moss was on the field. That, in turn, would benefit Frank Gore and every other offensive player. The mystery with Lockette is, well, why he's still a mystery. He's 27 years old and has never been close to a dominant receiver, even at tiny Fort Valley State. Is he a late bloomer or a perennial underachiever? We'll find out over the next two months. After all, he's never received the opportunity he's getting now.

Read more on Lockette: Roster hopeful is learning from Colin Kaepernick.

Kyle Williams. Williams' eagerness to join teammates during the spring practices was palpable. He was like a panther pacing in a cage as he watched from the sidelines and rehabilitated on his own in May and June. Williams even participated in some of the practices toward the end, signaling that he is nearly recovered from his November ACL tear and that he will be back for training camp. Williams is smart, he's fiery, he's got a good rapport with Kaepernick and he's the only healthy receiver who actually has caught a pass for the 49ers in a real game. The question is whether the team could count on him to be an every-down receiver. The undersized Williams has an injury history that goes back to Arizona State. He's missed time in each of the last two seasons despite not having a full-time role. He has done an excellent job of bulking up over the past three years (take note, A.J. Jenkins) and his spot on the team seems secure considering he can return punts. But it's difficult to envision Williams starting 16 games as the X receiver.

Quinton Patton. The 49ers' rookie pick isn't particularly fast or particularly big. What he excels in is eagerness and desire (see: late April plane saga), and that may be the most important trait of all for an NFL wide receiver. Patton certainly seemed to adjust quickly to the NFL game, and during OTAs and minicamp it was hard to tell that he was a rookie. (Not a difficult task last year with Jenkins). Late fourth-round picks who are drafted by Super Bowl teams rarely get a chance to play much less have an impact. Patton may be the rookie who is the exception to that rule.

Read more on Patton: Plane snufu wasn't first time a coach told Patton to go home.

Marlon Moore. The Sacramento native rarely is mentioned when the 49ers receiving competition is discussed. Moore, however, was one of the more prolific receivers during OTAs and minicamp (at least during the sessions that were open to the media) and he earned a mention from Harbaugh as the minicamp wrapped up. Like Williams, he has an advantage in that he plays special teams. Moore was a gunner on punt coverage for the Dolphins, a role that underscores his toughness and one that could be a real asset when Harbaugh sits down with Brad Seely and the rest of his assistants prior to roster cut-down day. Moore also has deep speed. San Francisco never took advantage of Kaepernick's ability to hurl the ball deep down field last year, and it's something they could stand to add to their repertoire this season.

Read more on Moore: Natomas High product fights for spot on 49ers.

Kassim Osgood. If the 49ers wanted a veteran version of Moore, they'd go with Osgood, who also has been able to a carve a niche for himself in the past on special teams coverage units. At 6-5, 220 pounds, Osgood is by far the biggest of the wide-receiver challengers, and he'd fit in nicely with the 49ers' physical approach on offense. Osgood's 44 career receptions is not very notable apart from the fact that they make him the most experienced of the 49ers' wide-receiver challengers. The downside: At 33, he is the only one of that group in his 30s.

Chad Hall. No 49er caught more practice passes this spring than Hall, who often was the quarterback's check-down option in OTAs and minicamp. Hall is unique in that he can line up at receiver and in the backfield as a running back. He's also a hard worker who earned a role during the NFC Championship game after injuries had thinned the 49ers' wide receiving corps. Hall, however, is very small for an NFL player. Only players with exceptional quickness tend to stick around at that size, and the 49ers seem to already have someone who fits that profile in LaMichael James.

Others: Neither Crabtree nor Mario Manningham will be ready for the start of training camp and both could land on the physically unable to perform list before camp begins. Undrafted rookie Chuck Jacobs and newly signed Charly Martin round out the list at receiver.

-- Matt Barrows

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Quarterbacks coach Karl Dorrell says Matt Schaub is in "great shape physically" and had an "excellent offseason."
There were some whispers that Schaub played through an injury as he tanked down the stretch of last season. The Texans never commented on it or listed him on the injury report, so it's all water under the bridge now. What remains is Schaub's low ceiling as a fantasy quarterback. Over the last three seasons he has just 11 300-yard games while averaging a mere 1.4 touchdown passes per day.


Source: houstontexans.com

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In 10 days, all four NFC North teams will have stepped onto the practice field for their 2013 training camps. I can't think of a better way to wade through these final days than by identifying 10 key issues we will no doubt be focusing on over the next six weeks or so.

I'm staying away from some of the obvious ones and instead focusing on developments for which we have a reasonable expectation of resolution before the start of the regular season. We won't know by Labor Day, for example, if Jay Cutler is a good fit for the Chicago Bears' new offense under Marc Trestman. It'll be impossible to conclude whether Christian Ponder has taken a step forward as the Minnesota Vikings' quarterback, or whether the Detroit Lions' Matthew Stafford has fixed his mechanics or if the Green Bay Packers know how to stop the read-option.

Answers to those questions won't be evident until regular-season games start. I think it's reasonable to expect quicker resolution to the questions identified below.

Issue: Jon Bostic and the Bears' middle linebacker job

Analysis: General manager Phil Emery gave the team a safety blanket by signing veteran D.J. Williams, who is expected to open training camp in Brian Urlacher's old spot. But the Bears used a second-round draft pick on Bostic, and one day he almost certainly will have the job. If he can win it in training camp, the Bears can move Williams to the outside or use fellow newcomer James Anderson there.

Issue: A role for Bears defensive end Shea McClellin

Analysis: McClellin was the Bears' first-round draft pick just one year ago, but he'll have to compete hard to establish a role commensurate with that status. Julius Peppers and Corey Wootton finished last season as the Bears' starting defensive ends, and Wootton is in a contract year and thus will be highly motivated. The Bears cleared some space by allowing Israel Idonije to depart via free agency, but McClellin's path to regular playing time is far from certain.

Issue: Starting Kyle Long

Analysis: There has been an assumption that Long will be plugged into the starting lineup at one of the Bears' guard positions, but it's only fair to reiterate his relative lack of experience (four starts) in Division I. Moreover, Long was unable to participate in most of the Bears' offseason program because of NFL rules regarding the timing of college graduation. In other words, Long is as green as it gets for a first-round draft pick. It will be nice to see, finally, what the Bears have in him.

Issue: Ryan Broyles' status in Detroit

Analysis: Broyles tore his ACL in Week 13 last season and will push to be ready for camp. If Broyles is healthy and available, he will join Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson to form a really good trio. If he needs more time, the Lions will be thin at the position to start the season. Mike Thomas, a slot receiver acquired last season from the Jacksonville Jaguars, would be next up.

Issue: Ziggy Ansah's development

Analysis: Generally speaking, the No. 5 overall pick of a draft should be ready to step into the lineup and make an immediate contribution. Ansah, as has been well-documented, was a late arrival to football and might need more development time than most No. 5 overall picks. Idonije gives the Lions an option if Ansah isn't ready to start, and in truth snaps are more important than the starting lineup. But when you draft a defensive end at No. 5 overall, you expect him to be ready to handle a full-time load almost immediately.

Issue: Packers' running back rotation

Analysis: The Packers gave themselves a good problem this offseason by adding two draft choices, Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin, to a group that also included DuJuan Harris, James Starks and Alex Green. It seems unlikely that all of them will make the roster, but the more pressing matter is how they will be used and how often. Harris would have been the favorite to start entering training camp, but he missed the offseason because of injuries, and the position should now be considered wide open.

Issue: Mason Crosby's reaction to competition

Analysis: Crosby's extended slump last season prompted the Packers to bring a second place-kicker to camp for the first time since he established himself as the Packers' full-time kicker. There is every reason to consider Crosby the heavy favorite over Giorgio Tavecchio, but that's assuming Crosby handles the competition well. It has been a while since Crosby had to secure his job.

Issue: Replacing Charles Woodson in Green Bay

Analysis: Woodson played safety and cornerback for the Packers last season. Now, they have a competitive situation at both spots. Training camp should tell us whether M.D. Jennings or Jerron McMillian is ready to grab a safety spot next to Morgan Burnett. We'll also get to see a spirited competition at cornerback between Sam Shields, Casey Hayward, Davon House and others for the chance to play alongside Tramon Williams.

Issue: Vikings linebacker alignment

Analysis: It is reasonable to expect Chad Greenway, Erin Henderson and Desmond Bishop to start in the Vikings' 4-3 base. But what positions will they play? Training camp should make that clear. Bishop would seem best suited for the inside, with Henderson returning to his former role outside, but it's not out of the question that the Vikings could experiment in the reverse during camp to find the best combination.

Issue: Cordarrelle Patterson's development

Analysis: Shortly after the draft, we were led to believe that the Vikings rookie would fit in as a kickoff returner this season while he learned how to play receiver at the professional level. But if offseason practices were any indication, Patterson might be ready for a bigger role on offense right away. Can he emerge from training camp as a starter opposite Greg Jennings? That's the Vikings' best-case scenario, one that didn't seem possible in April but can't be ruled out on the eve of camp.

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The Morning Kickoff …

Countdown to training camp: One in a series previewing the Browns’ roster leading up to the opening of training camp on July 24.

Position: Wide receivers.

Quick overview: Coach Rob Chudzinski and coordinator Norv Turner like their receivers tall and fast. They interchange two-, three- and four-receiver formations, depending on the quality of tight ends on the roster. We’re more likely to see more multiple-receiver formations given the configuration of this roster.

Projected keepers on final roster :Six.

Starters entering camp: 13 Josh Gordon (2013 salary cap number: $1.213 million) and 18 Greg Little (cap: $907,500).

Others in camp (alphabetically): 80 Travis Benjamin, 15 Davone Bess, 88 Josh Cooper, 89 Dominique Croom, 16 Keenan Davis, 86 Mike Edwards, 9 Tori Gurley, 11 David Nelson, 10 Jordan Norwood, 83 Cordell Roberson.

Key newcomers: Bess, acquired in a trade with Miami for an exchange of 2013 draft picks; Nelson, signed as free agent (1 year/$615,294).

Analysis: In his second year, Gordon can be a superstar in this offense if he can avoid drifting off the straight and narrow. His two-game suspension at the start of the season for testing positive for, he said, codeine, will either be a wake-up call or the beginning of the end for him. Gordon’s physical skills are elite and he is only 22 years old. The Browns need to surround him with a support group. Adding Bess, a respected veteran player, was a good start. It will be interesting to see if Bess takes Gordon under his wing or is indifferent with his new team. Bess also looms as an important asset for Brandon Weeden, who desperately needs a dependable third-down target. Bess is one of the best at that. Little had a noticeable turnaround in the second half of last season and could reach another level in this offense. Benjamin is the fastest player on offense, but his durability and ball security are ongoing concerns. Nelson, like Bess, could be a valuable addition. He has the size Turner likes in receivers, though he specialized with Buffalo in the slot, which figures to be the province of Bess. Cooper and Norwood have size and durability issues going against them.

Don’t be surprised if: One from the group of Davis, Gurley, Croom and Roberson makes the final roster. All are 6-2 or taller. Gurley, 25, is with his seventh NFL team, but the others are undrafted rookies.

Key questions: 1. Can Gordon regain the confidence and trust of the organization after earning a two-game suspension for flunking an offseason drug test? 2. Can Nelson recover from ACL surgery last September and regain the promising form he showed with Buffalo in 2011?

Fun fact: In 23 seasons as an NFL coach, Norv Turner has had 15 players achieve 1,000 yards receiving. In 14 seasons since 1999, the Browns have had four players with 1,000 yards receiving.

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Breaking down the Jets, position by position, as we head to training camp:

Position: Wide receiver

Projected starters: Santonio Holmes, Stephen Hill.

Projected reserves: Jeremy Kerley, Clyde Gates, Ben Obomanu.

New faces: Obomanu.

The departed: Braylon Edwards, Chaz Schilens.

Player to watch: Hill -- a no-brainer. The Jets are depending heavily on his ability to rebound from a disappointing rookie year. The physical talent is there, but aside from Week 1 against the Bills, Hill never played like a first-round talent. (He was drafted in the second round, but received a first-round grade on the Jets' draft board.)

Hill must improve in all areas -- beating press coverage, sharpening his route running and, you know, catching the ball. He also has to do a better job with the ball in his hands, as he gained only 38 yards after catch on 21 receptions, per ESPN Stats & Information. In addition, his surgically repaired knee bears watching. He said last week that his reps will be monitored in camp.

Potential strength: Well, they're young. That can be a positive, right? Except for Holmes, every receiver is an ascending talent -- in theory, anyway. The question is, how much untapped potential are we talking about? Kerley, a good slot receiver with deceptive, big-play ability (14.8 yards per catch), is entering the prime of his career in Year 3. Beyond Kerley, there are question marks. Hill and Gates are young and fast, but it's time turn those assets into production.

Potential weakness: The depth is a major concern, especially with Holmes coming off foot surgery. Consider: Holmes has 358 career receptions; the rest of the unit has a combined 212, including 87 from Obomanu, a Seahawks castoff plucked off the scrap heap in May. This is their thinnest receiving corps since 2009, when they opened with Chansi Stuckey as a starter. (They traded for Edwards a month into the season.) GM John Idzik finds himself in a similar situation: He must acquire a proven talent. Even if this current cast stays healthy -- unlikely, considering its penchant for hamstring injuries -- it won't be good enough.

Wild card: Holmes and his surgically repaired foot. He's expected to begin camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list. The big question is, will he be ready by Week 1? That's the goal, but he's recovering from a Grade 4 (the most severe) LisFranc injury. There are no guarantees. You can bet Holmes won't take any unnecessary risks because he knows he probably will be a cap casualty after the season, and he doesn't want to hit free agency with a bad wheel. Without Holmes, a borderline No. 1 receiver when healthy, the Jets won't scare anyone with their perimeter passing attack.

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We continue my NFC South Top 25 with No. 3:

Julio Jones, wide receiver, Falcons

What he did in 2012: Jones had 79 catches for 1,198 yards and 10 touchdowns as the Falcons advanced to the NFC Championship Game.

Why he’s No. 3 in 2013: Jones has been very good in his first two seasons, but I’m taking the word of a lot of scouts and coaches that he’s ready to take his game to the next level. There are some personnel gurus that believe Jones has a chance to challenge Detroit’s Calvin Johnson as the NFL’s best wide receiver. That would be a big leap, but I can see it happening. With the addition of Steven Jackson, the Falcons now have a running game. That means defenses will have their hands full with Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez. Jones has a rare combination of size and speed and defenses won’t be able to double team him all the time.

For previous entries in the NFC South Top 25, click here.

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