By TOM CANAVAN
Associated Press
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Coming off an 11-5 regular season and their first trip to the playoffs since winning the Super Bowl in February 2012, there is a sense of optimism and big expectations for the New York Giants.
The defense has almost everyone back. The offense has added playmakers such as receiver Brandon Marshall and rookie tight end Evan Engram to support Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr., and there is hope that the much-maligned offensive line will come around after getting a vote of confidence from management.
For the players reporting Thursday, there is also the knowledge that a thin line separates winners and losers. Nothing is guaranteed. An injury here or there or a couple of bad bounces can shatter seasons.
“There’s a lot of optimism. There’s a lot of excitement,” said guard Justin Pugh, whose five years with the team make him one of its longest-serving members. “We’ve added some really good guys to the team, so there’s definitely a lot of excitement. I remember driving over here this morning just like a kid on Christmas. I mean, we got a lot of things to look forward to this year.”
Not everything went well last season. The Giants were embarrassed in the postseason, losing 38-13 to the Packers in Green Bay.
All-Pro defensive tackle Damon Harrison said his mission this year is the same as last: be better.
“We don’t come here just to be subpar, we come here to perform at our highest level,” he said. “If everybody does that, then I’m sure we’ll win some games. But as far as predicting wins and losses and, you know, Super Bowls or bust, I don’t think anyone is here for that.”
Harrison said his biggest concern is focusing on the things he did wrong and becoming more consistent. It’s simply a matter of working hard, and he does not think the defense will have a problem with that, especially with everyone back except tackle Johnathan Hankins, who signed with the Colts as a free agent.
“Nobody is in the locker room talking about, ‘I was an All-Pro, I went to the Pro Bowl,’ or, ’We got it figured out,’” Harrison said. “Guys are still trying to get better genuinely. And you’ll see that this training camp. We still don’t have everything figured out.”
Steve Spagnuolo’s defense is expected to be one of the best in the league with Harrison, Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon up front, linebacker Jonathan Casillas and a secondary that includes All-Pro safety Landon Collins and cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins, Eli Apple and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
The offense is coming off a miserable season. The line was bad. There was no running game. Manning got hit way too much, and there was little production at receiver other than Beckham.
The line has everyone back with tackles Ereck Flowers and Bobby Hart, center Weston Richburg, and Pugh and John Jerry at the guards. D.J. Fluker was the only free agent signed to add competition.
“As an offensive unit, we didn’t have our best year,” Richburg said. “I think we can play so much better than we did last year and I’m looking forward to getting a lot more production and being better offensively to help our defense.”
On paper, Pugh feels this is the best Giants team he has been on.
“I’m excited with the type of guys we have, the character we have in the room, the coaches that we have,” he said. “I think top to bottom this is an exciting team and once you’ve been to the playoffs and know what it’s like and get that taste and know how good those teams are. We’ve beaten the teams that have been in the playoffs, so I think that’s where we get this confidence.”
While coach Ben McAdoo has talked about adding a fifth Lombardi Trophy to the Giants’ collection, his focus is short term heading into his second season.
“You have to prove yourself every day in this business, let alone year to year,” he said. “There’s a number of guys in our locker room that are on one-year deals. Whether it’s players or coaches or whatever the case may be. I mean, we’re all on a day-to-day deal. Someone else could be standing up here tomorrow if I go out and do something stupid today. That’s just the nature of the business.”
NOTES: GM Jerry Reese said the 36-year-old Manning might get less time in practice to cut down on his work load. ... DE Owa Odighizuwa reported to camp. The third-year player had considered taking time off from football this season. ... RB Shaun Draughn started the camp on the physically unable to perform list with an ankle injury. ... There was no word whether linebacker J.T. Thomas, who had a season-ending knee injury against Dallas in the first game of the season, had passed his physical.
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Friday, July 28, 2017
McAdoo finds different way to motivate Giants
By TOM CANAVAN
Associated Press
EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (AP) — Throughout the history of the NFL, coaches have used an assortment of ways to motivate players.
They scream. They yell. They cajole, embarrass, use the fatherly approach, beg, bother, annoy. You name it, coaches have done it.
New York Giants coach Ben McAdoo may have found a new method heading into his second season.
For veterans 26 years old and up, McAdoo had them listen to the story of “Frasier The Lion.”
Not familiar with it? It’s from the 1970s.
A scruffy, underweight lion in a bankrupt Mexican circus is about 80 years old in human terms. He is rescued and sent to an animal preserve in California, where he gets healthier.
The young lions at the preserve were having trouble getting the females pregnant, so Frasier was introduced to the lionesses. He ended up fathering roughly 35 cubs.
When asked what the story had to do with football, Giants spokesman Pat Hanlon said it was meant to show the older players that they can regain the form of their younger days.
For the players 25 and under, they heard a reading of Rudyard Kipling’s poem “If,” a work that lays challenges for a boy and how he must react to adversity to become a man.
McAdoo said he first read the poem last month.
“I sat there with my son and listened to it,” he said. “I think 25 and under, it’s a pretty powerful poem.”
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Associated Press
EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (AP) — Throughout the history of the NFL, coaches have used an assortment of ways to motivate players.
They scream. They yell. They cajole, embarrass, use the fatherly approach, beg, bother, annoy. You name it, coaches have done it.
New York Giants coach Ben McAdoo may have found a new method heading into his second season.
For veterans 26 years old and up, McAdoo had them listen to the story of “Frasier The Lion.”
Not familiar with it? It’s from the 1970s.
A scruffy, underweight lion in a bankrupt Mexican circus is about 80 years old in human terms. He is rescued and sent to an animal preserve in California, where he gets healthier.
The young lions at the preserve were having trouble getting the females pregnant, so Frasier was introduced to the lionesses. He ended up fathering roughly 35 cubs.
When asked what the story had to do with football, Giants spokesman Pat Hanlon said it was meant to show the older players that they can regain the form of their younger days.
For the players 25 and under, they heard a reading of Rudyard Kipling’s poem “If,” a work that lays challenges for a boy and how he must react to adversity to become a man.
McAdoo said he first read the poem last month.
“I sat there with my son and listened to it,” he said. “I think 25 and under, it’s a pretty powerful poem.”
___
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Bills receiver Watkins intent to stay healthy this season
By JOHN WAWROW
Associated Press
PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — Sammy Watkins’ surgically repaired left foot finally feels fine. And the Buffalo Bills receiver has no concerns about his future.
So long, of course, the oft-injured starter can stay healthy, Watkins said after the Bills opened training camp on Thursday evening.
“I have nothing to prove. I know what I’m capable of doing,” Watkins said. “My job is to go out there and earn it this year. And if I’m healthy on the field and I’m out there playing with the guys, I’ll be all right.”
The comments were Watkins’ first to reporters since cleaning out his locker after last season.
Much has happened since.
Watkins had surgery on his foot in January to repair an injury he aggravated in September and led to him missing eight games. It was the second operation for Watkins, who missed a majority of last offseason after having two screws inserted into his foot to repair a stress fracture.
The injuries have left his future in Buffalo uncertain beyond this season. He’s now entering the final year of his contract after the Bills elected against picking up a fifth-year option in May.
Watkins said he understood the reasoning behind the team’s decision and didn’t take it personally.
“I don’t really look at the contract or the money. That’s not what drives me,” he said.
Remaining in Buffalo is also part of Watkins’ plan.
“You don’t want to change teams,” he said. “My job is to stay around here forever.”
Staying healthy has been Watkins’ biggest challenge since Buffalo traded up five spots in the 2014 draft to select him fourth overall. Though he’s only missed 11 of a possible 48 games, Watkins has been slowed by an assortment of injuries since hurting his ribs in a preseason game during his rookie year.
Watkins resists the notion that he’s injury prone.
“Everybody’s got their opinion,” he said. “We play a dangerous game in the NFL. Injuries are going to happen.”
The Bills are gradually easing Watkins back into practice in a process that began during a mandatory minicamp in mid-June.
On Thursday, Watkins had limited time practicing with the starters. His best catch came over the middle, when Watkins turned back for the ball, made the catch and went to the ground.
Quarterback Tyrod Taylor was pleased to have Watkins back on the field so the two could work on their timing.
“Of course he’s an explosive playmaker, one of the best in the league, and having us on the same page definitely brings a lot of positives to our offense,” Taylor said. “It was a confidence-booster for me, a confidence-booster for him.”
The decision to not pick up Watkins’ option was made by new coach Sean McDermott, and a few weeks before general manager Brandon Beane was hired.
Beane is impressed by what he’s seen from Watkins, and taking a wait-and-see approach to contract talks.
“I’m looking forward to watching him, and we’ll let it play out,” Beane said. “My saying’s going to be, contracts will get done when they’re supposed to get done.”
While Watkins’ foot is pain-free, he needs to work on getting back into game shape because he was unable to work out fully while rehabbing his foot. He also has to learn a new offense being introduced by new coordinator Rick Dennison and become accustomed to a new group of receivers.
None of that concerns Watkins, who said he’s motivated to prove what he’s capable of now that he’s healthy.
“I’m going to put everything on the line,” he said. “I’m going to go out there, have fun and be an entertainer, scoring touchdowns, laughing, just having fun with the team.”
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Associated Press
PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — Sammy Watkins’ surgically repaired left foot finally feels fine. And the Buffalo Bills receiver has no concerns about his future.
So long, of course, the oft-injured starter can stay healthy, Watkins said after the Bills opened training camp on Thursday evening.
“I have nothing to prove. I know what I’m capable of doing,” Watkins said. “My job is to go out there and earn it this year. And if I’m healthy on the field and I’m out there playing with the guys, I’ll be all right.”
The comments were Watkins’ first to reporters since cleaning out his locker after last season.
Much has happened since.
Watkins had surgery on his foot in January to repair an injury he aggravated in September and led to him missing eight games. It was the second operation for Watkins, who missed a majority of last offseason after having two screws inserted into his foot to repair a stress fracture.
The injuries have left his future in Buffalo uncertain beyond this season. He’s now entering the final year of his contract after the Bills elected against picking up a fifth-year option in May.
Watkins said he understood the reasoning behind the team’s decision and didn’t take it personally.
“I don’t really look at the contract or the money. That’s not what drives me,” he said.
Remaining in Buffalo is also part of Watkins’ plan.
“You don’t want to change teams,” he said. “My job is to stay around here forever.”
Staying healthy has been Watkins’ biggest challenge since Buffalo traded up five spots in the 2014 draft to select him fourth overall. Though he’s only missed 11 of a possible 48 games, Watkins has been slowed by an assortment of injuries since hurting his ribs in a preseason game during his rookie year.
Watkins resists the notion that he’s injury prone.
“Everybody’s got their opinion,” he said. “We play a dangerous game in the NFL. Injuries are going to happen.”
The Bills are gradually easing Watkins back into practice in a process that began during a mandatory minicamp in mid-June.
On Thursday, Watkins had limited time practicing with the starters. His best catch came over the middle, when Watkins turned back for the ball, made the catch and went to the ground.
Quarterback Tyrod Taylor was pleased to have Watkins back on the field so the two could work on their timing.
“Of course he’s an explosive playmaker, one of the best in the league, and having us on the same page definitely brings a lot of positives to our offense,” Taylor said. “It was a confidence-booster for me, a confidence-booster for him.”
The decision to not pick up Watkins’ option was made by new coach Sean McDermott, and a few weeks before general manager Brandon Beane was hired.
Beane is impressed by what he’s seen from Watkins, and taking a wait-and-see approach to contract talks.
“I’m looking forward to watching him, and we’ll let it play out,” Beane said. “My saying’s going to be, contracts will get done when they’re supposed to get done.”
While Watkins’ foot is pain-free, he needs to work on getting back into game shape because he was unable to work out fully while rehabbing his foot. He also has to learn a new offense being introduced by new coordinator Rick Dennison and become accustomed to a new group of receivers.
None of that concerns Watkins, who said he’s motivated to prove what he’s capable of now that he’s healthy.
“I’m going to put everything on the line,” he said. “I’m going to go out there, have fun and be an entertainer, scoring touchdowns, laughing, just having fun with the team.”
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Bills’ Washington has learned from mistake after gun charge
By JOHN WAWROW
Associated Press
PITTSFORD, New York (AP) — Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Adolphus Washington says he’s learned from his mistake after being charged for improperly carrying a concealed weapon outside a water park in suburban Cincinnati.
Having pleaded not guilty earlier this week, Washington says he’s also relieved to know he’s still on the Bills roster after his arrest on July 9.
“I’m not going to lie and say that didn’t cross my mind,” the second-year player said after the Bills opened training camp on Thursday evening.
Declining to discuss what happened, Washington said: “I’m going to keep trying my best to keep doing the right thing.”
A police report says officers were breaking up a crowd at the park when Washington “reached for and displayed a gun while sitting inside his vehicle, just meters away from officers.” Police cruiser and body cam video show Washington in his vehicle, with officers surrounding him and shouting at him to “put the gun down.”
Bills coach Sean McDermott said he was disappointed with what happened, but thankful no one was hurt.
General manager Brandon Beane said the team is moving forward after he and McDermott spoke with Washington.
The Bills selected Washington in the third round of the 2016 draft out of Ohio State.
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Associated Press
PITTSFORD, New York (AP) — Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Adolphus Washington says he’s learned from his mistake after being charged for improperly carrying a concealed weapon outside a water park in suburban Cincinnati.
Having pleaded not guilty earlier this week, Washington says he’s also relieved to know he’s still on the Bills roster after his arrest on July 9.
“I’m not going to lie and say that didn’t cross my mind,” the second-year player said after the Bills opened training camp on Thursday evening.
Declining to discuss what happened, Washington said: “I’m going to keep trying my best to keep doing the right thing.”
A police report says officers were breaking up a crowd at the park when Washington “reached for and displayed a gun while sitting inside his vehicle, just meters away from officers.” Police cruiser and body cam video show Washington in his vehicle, with officers surrounding him and shouting at him to “put the gun down.”
Bills coach Sean McDermott said he was disappointed with what happened, but thankful no one was hurt.
General manager Brandon Beane said the team is moving forward after he and McDermott spoke with Washington.
The Bills selected Washington in the third round of the 2016 draft out of Ohio State.
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Turnover: Google search listed Brady as New York Jets owner
Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) — Tom Brady has had a lot of success over the years against the New York Jets, but he doesn’t technically own the AFC rival, despite a Google search glitch that listed him as the Jets owner.
The Boston Globe and Fox News report a search for “New York Jets owner” returned Brady as the top result Thursday. The glitch was fixed by Thursday afternoon and Google declined comment on the issue.
Brady has a 23-7 record against the Jets since taking over as the Patriots starter in 2001. He’s also won five Super Bowls in that time, including last season’s victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
BOSTON (AP) — Tom Brady has had a lot of success over the years against the New York Jets, but he doesn’t technically own the AFC rival, despite a Google search glitch that listed him as the Jets owner.
The Boston Globe and Fox News report a search for “New York Jets owner” returned Brady as the top result Thursday. The glitch was fixed by Thursday afternoon and Google declined comment on the issue.
Brady has a 23-7 record against the Jets since taking over as the Patriots starter in 2001. He’s also won five Super Bowls in that time, including last season’s victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
Titans waive OG Tretola five days after being shot
The Tennessee Titans waived offensive guard Sebastian Tretola on Friday, five days after he was shot in Arkansas.
Tretola suffered a gunshot wound in his leg/ankle area after being shot Sunday in Fayetteville, Ark., where he played for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Tretola, a 2016 sixth-round pick who played in one game for the Titans as a rookie last season, was released from the hospital Sunday with what the team called "a minor injury." He was waived with a non-football injury designation.
Tretola and Titans receiver Tajae Sharpe were accused of assaulting a man outside a Nashville bar in April. Neither player has been charged and the case is being investigated as a civil matter.
The Titans also officially announced the addition of linebacker Erik Walden as rookies and veterans reported to training camp Friday. Practice begins Saturday at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville.
The 6-foot-2, 250-pound Walden, who turns 32 in August, is a nine-year veteran coming off the best season of his career in 2016 with the Indianapolis Colts. He recorded a career-high 11 sacks and forced three fumbles last season while starting all 16 games. Walden has 32 career sacks and 320 total tackles.
In addition, the Titans signed rookie offensive lineman Jake Simonich and released linebacker Johnny Ragin. The team also released cornerback John Green off the reserve/injured list.
The 6-5, 296-pound Simonich was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent out of Utah State but was released in June. He started all 12 games (eight at right guard, four at right tackle) and earned honorable mention all-Mountain West honors as a senior.
Tretola suffered a gunshot wound in his leg/ankle area after being shot Sunday in Fayetteville, Ark., where he played for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Tretola, a 2016 sixth-round pick who played in one game for the Titans as a rookie last season, was released from the hospital Sunday with what the team called "a minor injury." He was waived with a non-football injury designation.
Tretola and Titans receiver Tajae Sharpe were accused of assaulting a man outside a Nashville bar in April. Neither player has been charged and the case is being investigated as a civil matter.
The Titans also officially announced the addition of linebacker Erik Walden as rookies and veterans reported to training camp Friday. Practice begins Saturday at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville.
The 6-foot-2, 250-pound Walden, who turns 32 in August, is a nine-year veteran coming off the best season of his career in 2016 with the Indianapolis Colts. He recorded a career-high 11 sacks and forced three fumbles last season while starting all 16 games. Walden has 32 career sacks and 320 total tackles.
In addition, the Titans signed rookie offensive lineman Jake Simonich and released linebacker Johnny Ragin. The team also released cornerback John Green off the reserve/injured list.
The 6-5, 296-pound Simonich was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent out of Utah State but was released in June. He started all 12 games (eight at right guard, four at right tackle) and earned honorable mention all-Mountain West honors as a senior.
Ravens sign arena league QB Olson with Flaaco sidelined
The Baltimore Ravens signed arena league quarterback David Olson as Joe Flacco deals with a back injury, the team announced Friday.
The Ravens began training camp Thursday without Flacco, who told the team of a disc issue in his back just before the first full-team meeting. He is expected to miss at least a week.
Olson, who worked out for the Ravens on Thursday, likely will have a temporary role right with Flacco sidelined, joining Ryan Mallett and Dustin Caughan as quarterbacks on the roster. Mallett has taken Flacco's spot with the first-team offense and Vaughan is a second-year player out of Division II West Texas A&M.
With a quarterback short at the first practice of camp, the Ravens used offensive assistant coach Matt Weiss to line up under center and hand off to running backs in drills.
This season is expected to be a bounce-back year for Flacco, who has gone 29-29 since winning the Super Bowl in 2012. He has thrown 80 touchdown passes, but 61 interceptions -- third most in the NFL -- over that four-year span.
Coach John Harbaugh likely will bring in another quarterback and is considering Colin Kaepernick, who opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers on March 3. Kaepernick has been a polarizing figure for his refusal to stand during the national anthem prior to games last season.
"He's a really good football player," Harbaugh said of Kaepernick after practice Thursday. "I believe he's a really good person. It all depends on a lot of things. It depends on Colin first of all and what's his passion, what's his priority, what's he want to do, what kind of shape he's in. So we'll just see where it goes. I don't think it's different for us than any other team."
Olson played under Harbaugh's brother, Jim, at Stanford. For his senior season, he transferred to Clemson and most recently played for the KC Phantoms of Champions Indoor Football.
The Ravens began training camp Thursday without Flacco, who told the team of a disc issue in his back just before the first full-team meeting. He is expected to miss at least a week.
Olson, who worked out for the Ravens on Thursday, likely will have a temporary role right with Flacco sidelined, joining Ryan Mallett and Dustin Caughan as quarterbacks on the roster. Mallett has taken Flacco's spot with the first-team offense and Vaughan is a second-year player out of Division II West Texas A&M.
With a quarterback short at the first practice of camp, the Ravens used offensive assistant coach Matt Weiss to line up under center and hand off to running backs in drills.
This season is expected to be a bounce-back year for Flacco, who has gone 29-29 since winning the Super Bowl in 2012. He has thrown 80 touchdown passes, but 61 interceptions -- third most in the NFL -- over that four-year span.
Coach John Harbaugh likely will bring in another quarterback and is considering Colin Kaepernick, who opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers on March 3. Kaepernick has been a polarizing figure for his refusal to stand during the national anthem prior to games last season.
"He's a really good football player," Harbaugh said of Kaepernick after practice Thursday. "I believe he's a really good person. It all depends on a lot of things. It depends on Colin first of all and what's his passion, what's his priority, what's he want to do, what kind of shape he's in. So we'll just see where it goes. I don't think it's different for us than any other team."
Olson played under Harbaugh's brother, Jim, at Stanford. For his senior season, he transferred to Clemson and most recently played for the KC Phantoms of Champions Indoor Football.
Monday, July 24, 2017
Pittsburgh Steelers training camp capsule
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (13-6)
OPEN CAMP: July 28, St. Vincent College, Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
LAST YEAR: Steelers shook off underwhelming first half to win seven straight and clinch second AFC North title in three years. Two more playoff wins followed before lopsided loss at New England in AFC championship game. RB Le’Veon Bell established himself as one of NFL’s best, averaging over 150 yards from scrimmage after returning from suspension for violating league’s substance abuse policy. WR Antonio Brown went over 100 receptions for fourth straight season, thriving despite serious depth issues following injuries to Markus Wheaton and Sammie Coates, and Martavis Bryant’s year-long suspension. Defense improved in large part due to rapid development of DT Javon Hargrave, CB Artie Burns and S Sean Davis. Still, they were exposed — as was everyone else — by Tom Brady, who threw for 384 yards and three scores in dominant 36-17 AFC title victory.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: Rookie LB T.J. Watt, rookie WR Juju Smith-Schuster, rookie DB Cameron Sutton, rookie QB Josh Dobbs, rookie RB James Conner, RB Knile Davis, DE Tyson Alualu.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: LB Lawrence Timmons, RB DeAngelo Williams, TE Ladarius Green, WR Markus Wheaton, CB Justin Gilbert, LS Greg Warren, LB Jarvis Jones.
CAMP NEEDS: Wide receiver position is pretty crowded, a good thing. Bryant is back and arrival of Smith-Schuster should give QB Ben Roethlisberger plenty of options to take pressure off Brown. Running back is wide open behind Bell, Davis and rookies fighting for primary backup spot. More vital questions are on defense: Steelers drafted Watt 30th overall, tasking him to do what predecessor Jarvis Jones could not and take playing time away from seemingly ageless James Harrison. Secondary filled with questions behind Burns, Davis and veteran Mike Mitchell. Senquez Golson was 2015 second-round pick only to miss all of last two seasons due to separate injuries. Ross Cockrell is still around as is Will Gay, but both will come to camp fighting for jobs.
EXPECTATIONS: Steelers have taken sequential steps each of last three seasons, losing in wild-card round, divisional round and conference championship. Super Bowl berth is next logical step and Pittsburgh will be as well-equipped as anyone to challenge Patriots. Bell, playing under franchise tag , motivated to show he’s worth massive long-term deal. If defense can play as it did over much of second half of last season, Pittsburgh should be playing well into January, if not into February.
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Seattle Seahawks training camp capsule
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (11-6-1)
OPEN CAMP: July 30, Virginia Mason Athletic Center, Renton, Washington.
LAST YEAR: Won NFC West for fourth time under Pete Carroll and reached playoffs for fifth straight season, winning at least one game in each of those seasons. Quarterback Russell Wilson played through injuries, while key injuries to Earl Thomas and Tyler Lockett were critical in postseason. Seattle’s playoff run ended with 36-20 loss to Atlanta in divisional round that highlighted issues with offensive line running ball and protecting Wilson, and depth on defense.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: OL Luke Joeckel, RB Eddie Lacy, LB Michael Wilhoite, K Blair Walsh, OL Oday Aboushi, DB Bradley McDougald, rookies DL Malik McDowell, OL Ethan Pocic, CB Shaquill Griffin.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: K Steven Hauschka, LB Mike Morgan, OL Garry Gilliam, LB Brock Coyle.
CAMP NEEDS: CB Deshawn Shead suffered major knee injury in playoff loss to Atlanta, so Seattle needs to settle on starting cornerback opposite Richard Sherman, likely to be either Jeremy Lane or rookie Shaquill Griffin. How far along FS Thomas and WR Lockett are in recoveries from leg injuries will be closely watched early in camp. There’s also question of how carries will break down in backfield between Eddie Lacy, Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise.
EXPECTATIONS: Anything less than playoff spot and being in Super Bowl conversation is now considered disappointment. Offseason was filled with drama surrounding CB Richard Sherman and whether it was time to rebuild elite defense that is getting older. But with standouts Sherman, Bobby Wagner and Wilson at quarterback, no reason to view Seattle as anything but favorite in NFC West.
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Jacksonville Jaguars training camp capsule
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (3-13)
OPEN CAMP: July 27, Jacksonville, Florida.
LAST YEAR: Stumbled out of gate again (1-13 in September in last four years) and finished with double-digit losses for sixth consecutive season. Offense was one of worst in league, with third-year starter Blake Bortles showing few signs of being franchise QB behind shaky offensive line. Defense was solid at times, but forced measly six turnovers and allowed 25 points per game. Special teams were debacle. So season that started with high expectations for floundering franchise ended with coach Gus Bradley being awkwardly fired following ninth straight loss, which came at Houston in mid-December. With NFL-low 17 wins last four years, many believed owner Shad Khan would opt for complete makeover. Instead, he promoted offensive line coach Doug Marrone to head coach and brought in former Jaguars and Giants coach Tom Coughlin to oversee football operations. Jaguars also retained offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and defensive coordinator Todd Wash, moves that indicate Khan and general manager Dave Caldwell believe Bradley and always-positive approach were more problematic than scheme and personnel.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: DE Calais Campbell, CB A.J. Bouye, SS Barry Church, LT Branden Albert, rookie RB Leonard Fournette.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: DT Sen’Derrick Marks, TE Julius Thomas, DE Jared Odrick, OL Luke Joeckel.
CAMP NEEDS: Marrone and Coughlin are trying to build tougher, more physical team, and it starts with offensive line. They seek one of league’s top rushing attacks, which is why they traded for veteran Albert, drafted Fournette fourth overall and added offensive lineman Cam Robinson in second round. Belief is better ground game will ease burden on Bortles, who has averaged 37 passes per game in first three seasons. Progress will best be measured in full pads and maybe more so during joint practices with New England and Tampa Bay early in training camp.
EXPECTATIONS: Hard to envision Jaguars making significant turnaround in Marrone’s first year. Even Marrone acknowledges it takes time to implement new culture and develop chemistry. Ultimate goal for 2017 will be deciding whether Bortles is long-term solution or if Jaguars need to find replacement in free agency in what appears to be deep QB draft class.
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Buffalo Bills training camp capsule
BUFFALO BILLS (7-9)
OPEN CAMP: July 27, St. John Fisher College, Pittsford, New York.
LAST YEAR: Coach Rex Ryan failed to deliver on vow to build bully and address high-priced under-performing defense, leaving owner Terry Pegula little choice but to fire him in final week of season. Sean McDermott was hired to replace Ryan, then GM Brandon Beane was hired to replace Doug Whaley, who was fired in April. Lost four of final five games, extending playoff drought to 17 seasons — longest active streak in North America’s four professional sports. Defense allowed 240-plus yards rushing three times; generated combined six turnovers in final nine games; and allowed 29 straight points in final 20 minutes of 38-24 loss to Oakland on Dec. 4. LeSean McCoy-led running attack paced NFL in yards rushing for second consecutive season. QB Tyrod Taylor was inconsistent, while group of receivers were hampered by injuries. That included starter Sammy Watkins, who missed eight games with broken left foot.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: Ss Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, rookie CB Tre’Davious White, WRs Andre Holmes and rookie Zay Jones, FBs Patrick DiMarco and Mike Tolbert, OL Vladimir Ducasse, PK Stephen Hauschka, offensive coordinator Rick Dennison, defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: CBs Stephon Gilmore and Nickell Robey-Coleman, Ss Corey Graham and Aaron Williams, LB Zach Brown, WRs Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin, RB Mike Gillislee, PK Dan Carpenter.
CAMP NEEDS: New coaching staff and 43 offseason additions means it will be challenge for units to jell in time for season. Taylor adjusting to revamped receiving group that returns just one regular, Watkins. With exception of CB Ronald Darby, entire secondary is new, including first-round pick White, while defensive front seven adjusting to switch to 4-3 scheme.
EXPECTATIONS: Too many changes to coaching staff and roster to expect McDermott building immediate contender and ending playoff drought in first year. With so many newcomers and emphasis on building through youth, team needs to show signs of improvement as season progresses. QB Taylor running out of chances to establish himself as long-term starter entering third year, and only after agreeing to pay cut by restructuring contract in March.
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Los Angeles Rams training camp capsule
LOS ANGELES RAMS (4-12)
OPEN CAMP: July 29, UC Irvine, Irvine, California
LAST YEAR: Move to West Coast did nothing to end streaks of 13 consecutive non-winning seasons and 12 straight non-playoff seasons. Los Angeles lost 11 of last 12, leading to Jeff Fisher's departure and hiring of 31-year-old Sean McVay as youngest head coach in NFL history. Had NFL's worst offense for second consecutive year, managing 262.7 yards per game, nearly 46 yards fewer than 31st-place San Francisco. No. 1 pick QB Jared Goff went 0-7 as starter after taking over, looking unsurprisingly shaky behind subpar offensive line. RB Todd Gurley had disappointing sophomore season, managing meager 3.2 yards per carry. Big-money WR Tavon Austin also didn't produce, getting only 509 yards on 58 catches. All-Pro DL Aaron Donald had another standout year leading solid group, but defense faded late in games due to offense's ineptitude. Fans kept filling Coliseum, but all that losing cost Rams some momentum in nation's second-largest market.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: McVay, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, WR Robert Woods, LT Andrew Whitworth, LB Connor Barwin, C John Sullivan, CB Kayvon Webster.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: WR Kenny Britt, TE Lance Kendricks, OL Greg Robinson, WR Brian Quick, S T.J. McDonald, DL William Hayes, QB Case Keenum, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.
CAMP NEEDS: McVay and Phillips face ample work across roster to transform Rams into winner. Goff's development into top-flight starter must be offense's top priority, but returning Gurley to elite form is key as well. Both depend on Whitworth, Sullivan leading offensive line's revival after miserable 2016. Phillips is moving Rams to 3-4 scheme that should suit Donald and NT Michael Brockers while moving Robert Quinn to OLB. Donald under contract for two more years, but could be unhappy with deal after sitting out OTAs during negotiations for huge extension, which still aren't completed. Must sort out playing time in secondary, where CB Trumaine Johnson is getting huge payday under franchise tender again this year. Every other job could be up for grabs, with Lamarcus Joyner, Maurice Alexander expected to step up at safety.
EXPECTATIONS: Rams seem almost certain to improve after last year's freefall, but roster hasn't improved noticeably with no first-round pick or major free-agent signing. Counting on new coaching staff, fresh mentality to lay groundwork for winner. Quick results would be huge with Chargers crashing LA party this fall. Legit playoff hopes have receded and are still years away, just like opening date of Rams' new stadium.
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Minnesota Vikings training camp capsule
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (8-8)
OPEN CAMP: July 26, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minnesota.
LAST YEAR: Fell hard following 5-0 start, finishing third in NFC North they won in 2015. Devastating knee injury to QB Teddy Bridgewater was handled deftly with acquisition of Sam Bradford, who set NFL record for completion percentage. But already dubious depth on OL couldn’t handle onslaught of injuries up front. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner abruptly resigned after seven games due to philosophical disagreement with coach Mike Zimmer. With running game buried at bottom of league, defense and special teams that fueled season-opening surge ran out of steam down stretch. Zimmer’s eye trouble that forced him to miss one game topped off dysfunction.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: LT Riley Reiff, RT Mike Remmers, rookie RB Dalvin Cook, RB Latavius Murray, WR Michael Floyd, DT Datone Jones, rookie C Pat Elflein.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: RB Adrian Peterson, CB Captain Munnerlyn, LT Matt Kalil, WR/KR Cordarrelle Patterson, LB Chad Greenway, RG Brandon Fusco, P Jeff Locke.
CAMP NEEDS: Smooth and swift rebuild of OL is most critical project, with Reiff and Remmers bookending embattled group that likely will have two holdover starters, LG Alex Boone and RG Joe Berger. Murray must regain full speed following ankle surgery rehab. Speedy Cook has to prove he’s ready for complexity of NFL offense, reliable pass blocking and hanging onto ball after fumbling problem at Florida State. Defense, with all but one starting spot retained from last year, needs to regain swagger.
EXPECTATIONS: With refreshed Zimmer and rekindled defense, Vikings will have edgy eagerness to restore themselves among NFC contenders after last season’s debacle. Fact they’re hosting Super Bowl doesn’t hurt for motivation. With wealth of young drafted-and-developed standouts like WR Stefon Diggs, DE Danielle Hunter and CB Xavier Rhodes, there’s strong enough talent base for turnaround. But with Bridgewater still rehabbing, Bradford can’t regress. And, of course, OL must show significant improvement.
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Indianapolis Colts training camp capsule
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-8)
OPEN CAMP: July 29, Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, Indianapolis.
LAST YEAR: Statistically, Andrew Luck had best season of career. RB Frank Gore and K Adam Vinatieri continued moving up NFL’s career lists, and WR T.Y. Hilton led league in yards receiving. It still wasn’t enough to get Indy into playoffs. Owner Jim Irsay responded to Colts’ second straight playoff absence by retaining coach Chuck Pagano and firing GM Ryan Grigson in hopes of easing conflict inside team complex. Franchise sacks leader Robert Mathis retired, former Pro Bowlers Mike Adams and D’Qwell Jackson were released and team sacks leader Erik Walden walked away in free agency. Results: First-time GM Chris Ballard began transition to rebuild defense with younger, faster, less expensive players. Inexperienced offensive line struggled early, allowing Luck to be sacked career-high-tying 41 times in 15 games. It showed significant improvement over final month of season, enough to give Colts hope they may have solid unit to protect Luck.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: DT Johnathan Hankins, LB Jabaal Sheard, rookie S Malik Hooker, LB John Simon, NT Al Woods, rookie DE Tarell Basham, P Jeff Locke, LB Sean Spence, LB Barkevious Mingo.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: Mathis, Adams, Jackson, LB Erik Walden, P Pat McAfee, TE Dwayne Allen, CB Patrick Robinson.
CAMP NEEDS: As usual, Luck will be center of attention. This year’s big question: Will Luck throw at Colts’ first practice, July 30? If not, when? Luck attended team’s offseason workouts but was restricted because of surgery for partially torn labrum in throwing shoulder. It’s still unclear when he might return. Pagano and Colts have, understandably, played it safe with franchise QB; it’s doubtful they rush him back at camp even though they need him on field. If Luck isn’t ready, Scott Tolzien will take bulk of snaps. Colts also are seeking successor to Gore and more improvement from offensive line. Defensively, Indy is looking to fill six more starting spots. Training camp will be first real time for newcomers to get acclimated to second-year defensive coordinator Ted Monachino. Colts also are hoping Locke is adequate replacement for McAfee, Pro Bowl punter who handled kickoff duties. McAfee retired unexpectedly.
EXPECTATIONS: Making playoffs is annual expectation for Colts, and Irsay believes they should make postseason in 2017. If Luck is healthy, offensive line continues to improve and defense can finish in top half of NFL, Indy could make run at another AFC South crown. If not, Pagano faces uncertain fate in January.
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Philadelphia Eagles training camp capsule
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (7-9)
OPEN CAMP: July 24, NovaCare Practice Facility, Philadelphia.
LAST YEAR: Rookie quarterback Carson Wentz proved he’s real deal, giving team franchise player to build around. Wentz was brilliant during 3-0 start and finished strong. In between, No. 2 overall pick endured plenty of growing pains along with rest of team under rookie coach Doug Pederson. Wentz threw for 3,782 yards, set rookie record with 379 completions, had 16 touchdown passes, 14 interceptions and 79.3 passer rating. He also became first QB to start 16 games for Eagles since Donovan McNabb in 2008. Wentz didn’t have much help. He was surrounded by mediocre group of receivers and running backs and didn’t have top blocker Lane Johnson for 10 games because of suspension. Defense improved under new coordinator Jim Schwartz after three awful seasons at bottom of most statistical categories. Still, cornerbacks struggled and pass rush was poor. Other bright spots were rookies CB Jalen Mills and RT Halapoulivaati Vaitai, S Malcolm Jenkins and special teams.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: WRs Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith, RB LeGarrette Blount, QB Nick Foles, DT Tim Jernigan, rookies DE Derek Barnett, CB Rasul Douglas, WRs Mack Hollins and Shelton Gibson, RB Donnel Pumphrey.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: DT Bennie Logan, DE Connor Barwin, CBs Leodis McKelvin and Nolan Carroll.
CAMP NEEDS: Wentz and new playmakers — Jeffery, Smith, Hollins and Gibson — have to build chemistry while working holdover WRs Jordan Matthews and Nelson Agholor and TE Zach Ertz into mix. Coaches need to figure out which back they’ll count on for bulk of workload or if they’ll take committee approach. Eyes will be on Barnett because Eagles need someone to consistently pressure QBs. Sorting out secondary is top priority on defense.
EXPECTATIONS: Eagles are supposed to be rebuilding but made win-now offseason additions on offense. There hasn’t been repeat champion in NFC East since Eagles won four division titles in row from 2001-04. If offense lives up to potential and defense improves, Eagles could be in mix. Winning record is more realistic than playoff berth. Step backward could cost Pederson his job.
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Friday, July 21, 2017
Cardinals ponder future of Arians, Palmer, Fitzgerald
What everyone will want to know is whether the 2017 season might be the last for not only the 64-year-old Arians, but also the final year in the careers of quarterback Carson Palmer and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Palmer turns 38 in December while Fitzgerald turns 34 in August.
And if it is the final go-round for all three, does that mean the Cardinals' window of opportunity to get back to the playoffs and make a possible Super Bowl appearance is about to slam shut after this season?
A new head coach likely means wholesale changes to just about everything. And since there is no young protege to learn and study under Palmer at quarterback, it could also mean there is no "quarterback whisperer" to teach him. It also means the best and most popular player in the history of the organization might not be around either to help soften the losses of the other two.
It's the most pressing issue entering Cardinals' camp and until or unless Arians, Palmer and Fitzgerald make their intentions fully known about their futures beyond this season, it can be assumed that 2017 could be the end of the road for all of them.
Arians revealed in his new book, entitled "The Quarterback Whisperer," that he underwent surgery in February to remove cancerous cells in his kidney. He had been diagnosed, he wrote, with renal cell carcinoma in December.
"Now I feel great," Arians said in his book. "My energy has returned. I'm told I'm cancer-free again. I'm ready for at least one more season of NFL football -- maybe more."
One more season? Maybe more? What about Palmer? What about Fitzgerald? Both players have said for the past couple years that they evaluate their futures at the end of every season. Fitzgerald, entering the final year of his contract, has indicated he will make some sort of announcement in training camp.
As for Palmer, who technically has another year left on his deal, it seems just as up in the air as Arians and Fitzgerald. To hear Arians tell it, however, Palmer could play as long as he wants.
"Physically, he's probably body-wise like if he was 28 right now," Arians told CBS Sports Network last week. "The sports science is unbelievable, you know with the stuff right now, nutrition, all of the training stuff, he could play easily 'til he's 40-42 probably -- if he wants to."
TOP THREE TRAINING CAMP GOALS
--Keeping Carson Palmer fresh. With four quarterbacks in camp, this normally wouldn't be an issue. But with an extra week of camp, five preseason games and Palmer turning 38 in December, it could be. For that reason, look for the Cardinals to try and rest Palmer as much as they can before the start of the regular season, relying on Drew Stanton, Blaine Gabbert and yes, undrafted rookie free agent Trevor Knight. Gabbert, specifically, figures to see more action than most No. 3 quarterbacks so coach Bruce Arians and staff get a better idea if he can ultimately be the man to replace Palmer in another year -- or two.
--Finding the No. 2 starting cornerback. The leaders in the clubhouse to start opposite Patrick Peterson are, in order, Justin Bethel and Brandon Williams, but don't discount general manager Steve Keim throwing a big-name veteran free agent into the mix like he normally does when there are pre-camp questions about a concerning starting position on this team. He's basically done it every year since assuming full control of the front office and for the most part, it's always seemed to work. In this situation, it may not be necessary unless Bethel or Williams prove after a few weeks that neither is trustworthy enough to handle the role, which is incredibly tough considering opposing teams rarely throw in Peterson's direction and this spot usually gets all the serious action.
--Making sure the Badger and Money-backer are ready. Two incredibly important players on defense, safety Tyrann Mathieu and inside "money" linebacker Deone Bucannon, are returning from injuries and the Cardinals plan to be mindful of that in regard to how hard they push each player early on. Bucannon, in fact, might not even be ready for Week 1 after undergoing foot surgery to fix a problem he thought was past him. Mathieu, meanwhile, has dealt with numerous injuries virtually every year since turning pro in 2013 and hasn't been able to finish a season without some sort of issue. What could be considered just as troubling is that the Cardinals may have to rely on two rookie draft picks if either player isn't ready. The good news is, the team loves both first-year players in No. 1 pick Haasan Reddick, an inside linebacker, and second-round pick Budda Baker, a seemingly do-everything safety who has patterned his game after the Honey Badger.
PROJECTED CAMP DEPTH CHART
QUARTERBACKS: Starter -- Carson Palmer. Backups -- Drew Stanton, Blaine Gabbert, Trevor Knight.
RUNNING BACKS: Starter -- David Johnson. Backups -- Andre Ellington, Kerwynn Williams, Elijhaa Penny, T.J. Logan, James Summers.
TIGHT ENDS: Starter. -- Jermaine Gresham. Backups -- Troy Niklas, Ifeanyi Momah, Hakeem Valles, Ricky Seals-Jones, Steven Wroblewski.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters -- Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown, J.J. Nelson. Backups -- Aaron Dobson, Jaron Brown, Chad Williams, Brittan Golden, Jeremy Ross, Kris Hogan, Larry Clark, Marquis Bundy, Carlton Agudosi.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- LT D.J. Humphries, LG Mike Iupati, C A.Q. Shipley, RG Evan Boehm, RT Jared Veldheer. Backups -- T Will Holden, G/C Cole Toner, C Tony Bergstrom, G Dorian Johnson, T John Wetzel, G Kaleb Johnson, T Ulrick John, T Givens Price, C/G Daniel Munyer, C Lucas Crowley, T Jonathan McLaughlin.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- LDE Robert Nkemdiche, NT Corey Peters, RDT Frostee Rucker. Backups -- DE Ed Stinson, NT Xavier Williams, DT Josh Mauro, DT Rodney Gunter, NT Olsen Pierre, DE Tasini Pasoni.
LINEBACKERS: Starters -- SOLB Chandler Jones, SILB Karlos Dansby, RILB Haasan Reddick, WOLB Markus Golden. Backups -- OLB Jarvis Jones, MLB Deone Bucannon, MLB Gabe Martin, OLB Kareem Martin, ILB/OLB Alani Fua, MLB Scooby Wright, MLB Tre'Von Johnson, OLB Capi Cap, MLB Zaviar Gooden, OLB Alex Bazzie.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters -- LCB Patrick Peterson, RCB Justin Bethel, FS Tyrann Mathieu, SS Antoine Bethea. Backups -- CB Brandon Williams, CB Jumal Rolle, FS Budda Baker, SS Tyvon Branch, CB Rudy Ford, S/CB Harlan Miller, CB Elie Bouka, S Ironhead Gallon, CB Ronald Zamort, CB Sojourn Shelton, CB Daniel Gray, CB Gump Hayes, CB Ryan Lewis.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Phil Dawson, P Richie Leone, P Matt Wile, LS Aaron Brewer, KOR T.J. Logan, PR Patrick Peterson.
Rams now must relocate their focus -- on football
Been there. Done that.
Year two is about getting back to the basics of football, and specifically building a winning culture designed to end more than a decade of losing that predates their return to L.A. It begins with a new head coach in the 31-year-old Sean McVay, a new We Not Me philosophy, a rebuilt offensive line led by All-Pro veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth and a retooled receiving corps led by Robert Woods.
And it's about developing the would-be face of the franchise in second-year quarterback Jared Goff, whose disappointing rookie season can be traced more to development and a lack of help around him as it did his own struggles.
And for the Rams, continuing that process begins in training camp, where the hope the foundation of change and the road back to respectability will be laid.
TOP THREE TRAINING CAMP GOALS
--Get Jared Goff up and running. The Rams traded six draft picks to the Tennessee Titans to move from the 15th spot to the top of the 2016 draft to get Goff, but their failure to adequately develop him or build reliable infrastructure around him resulted in a disastrous rookie season. They've changed coaching, culture and added offensive line upgrades and perimeter and downfield weapons to help him. His progress this year could set the tone for the Rams' future in Los Angeles. The lack of it could mean being back on the hunt for a quarterback next draft.
--Develop an offensive line. The Rams have been awful up front the last two years in spite of investing numerous high picks in the position. But they hope to have turned the corner by adding veteran Andrew Whitworth at left tackle, adding a productive, stabilizing force on the left side and allowing for some positional change across the line. With Rodger Saffold now entrenched at left guard, John Sullivan at center and Rob Havenstein and Jamon Brown flip flopping from tackle to guard and guard to tackle, respectfully, the Rams have a chance to make serious improvements up front.
--Fixing Todd Gurley. After rushing for more than 1,100 yards with 10 touchdowns as a rookie, Gurley found very little running room behind an offensive line that ranked among the worst in the league and minimal help from the passing game. A new coach, a better offensive line and presumably a better Jared Goff in the passing game could create more room for Gurley to operate in in 2017. And perhaps a much-needed rebound season.
PROJECTED CAMP DEPTH CHART
QUARTERBACKS: Starter - Jared Goff. Backups - Sean Mannion, Dan Orlovsky.
RUNNING BACKS: Starter -- Todd Gurley. Backups - Malcom Brown, Lance Dunbar, Aaron Green, FB Zach Laskey, FB Sam Rogers.
TIGHT ENDS: Starters - Tyler Higbee, Cory Harkey. Backups - Gerald Everett, Temarrick Hemingway, Tyler Wilson.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters -- Robert Woods, Tavon Austin, Cooper Kupp. Backups - Mike Thomas, Nelson Spruce, Josh Reynolds, Pharoh Cooper, Josh McRoberts, Bradley Marquez.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters - LT Andrew Whitworth, LG Rodger Saffold, C John Sullivan, RG Rob Havenstein, RT Jamon Brown. Backups - C Jake Eldrenkamp, T/G Andrew Donnal, G Cody Wichmann, Pace Murphy, T Darrell Williams.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters - DLE Ethan Westbrooks, DT Michael Brockers, DRE Aaron Donald. Backups - DT Dominique Easley, DE Matt Longacre, DT Tanzel Smart, Louis Trinca-Pasat.
LINEBACKERS: Starters - WLB Robert Quinn, ILB Alec Ogletree, ILB Mark Barron, SLB Connor Barwin. Backups - Carlos Thompson, Ejuan Price, Morgan Fox, Samson Ebukam, Josh Forrest, Bryce Hager, Nicholas Grigsby, Cory Littleton.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters - LCB Trumaine Johnson, RCB E.J. Gaines, FS Maurice Alexander, SS Lamarcus Joyner. Backups - CB Kayvon Webster, CB Nickell Robey-Coleman, CB Marqui Christian, CB Isaiah Johnson, CB Troy Hill, CB Blake Countess, CB Michael Jordan, SS Cody Davis, SS John Johnson.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Greg Zuerlein, P Johnny Hekker, LS Jake McQuaide, KOR Tavon Austin, PR Tavon Austin.
Upgraded 49ers still a mystery for new coach Shanahan
Now, mixing sports metaphors freely, it's time to see if new coach Kyle Shanahan can pick up the fumble and run with it.
The 49ers open training camp a huge mystery. That's not a bad thing when their place among the worst teams in the NFL was easy to predict heading into the past two training camps.
The optimist would point out that San Francisco, which went 2-14 last season, has upgraded at as many as 10 positions since January.
Alas, the pessimist might counter they needed to do so at about 10 other spots.
Expectations are perhaps highest at the coaching position, with Shanahan almost immediately commanding the level of respect 49ers fans afforded last year's big-name hire, Chip Kelly, before the team was drubbed 46-27 in Week 2, triggering an avalanche of 14 consecutive losses.
"Give us some time," Shanahan preached at his introductory press conference in March. "Be patient with us."
Camp opens with no buzz at the quarterback position. In fact, the hottest topics on talk radio leading into the first practice were Kirk Cousins' contract situation in Washington and the length of Colin Kaepernick's hair.
Brian Hoyer? Many see him as no more than a rental until Cousins becomes available next year.
The 49ers ranked 31st in total offense and 32nd in total defense last season. With apologies to Hoyer, wideout Pierre Garcon and center Jeremy Zuttah, the greatest potential for improvement appears to be on defense.
Shanahan and new defensive coordinator Robert Saleh have changed from a 3-4 to a 4-3 alignment, one that could see the top picks from the last three seasons -- defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and ends Solomon Thomas and Arik Armstead -- on the field at the same time.
Pass-rush specialist Elvis Dumervil and former Alabama standout linebacker Reuben Foster are two other reasons to believe the unit won't necessarily live and die with star NaVorro Bowman's health this season.
With the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics well out of contention and Oakland Raiders fans not sure how to respond to their team's plans to relocate to Las Vegas, more people will be watching Shanahan and his new-look crew in training camp than the stench of a 2-14 season might ordinarily indicate.
Even the National Anthem won't be a distraction this year.
TOP THREE TRAINING CAMP GOALS
--Get defensive end Elvis Dumervil and linebacker Reuben Foster healthy. The 49ers are going to need all hands on deck in order to improve significantly from the defensive unit that allowed the most points in the NFL last season. Neither Dumervil nor Foster participated in OTAs. Having both up to speed by the regular-season opener would maximize the unit's chances of getting off to a fast start.
--Figure out the offensive line. Left tackle Joe Staley and center Jeremy Zuttah are set. Everyone else in the running for a starting spot has proven himself to be a versatile backup. The question is: Can the 49ers find three starters from among the group, or will the season be another squeaky revolving door up front?
--Determine an offensive identity. The 49ers took a run-first approach to recent seasons, dictated by talented back Carlos Hyde and Kaepernick's strength as a quarterback. But Kaepernick is gone, and new general manager John Lynch has done a good job upgrading the receiving corps with the additions of Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin. Brian Hoyer is no Kaepernick, but what is he? New coach Kyle Shanahan must determine this before scripting his first game plan.
PROJECTED CAMP DEPTH CHART
QUARTERBACKS: Starter -- Brian Hoyer. Backups -- Matt Barkley, C.J. Beathard, Nick Mullens.
RUNNING BACKS: Starters -- Carlos Hyde, FB Kyle Juszczyk. Backups -- Tim Hightower, Joseph Williams, Kapri Bibbs, Matt Breida, Raheem Mostert, FB Tyler McCloskey.
TIGHT ENDS: Starter -- Vance McDonald. Backups -- Garrett Celek, Blake Bell, George Kittle, Logan Paulsen, Cole Hikutini.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters -- Pierre Garcon, Marquise Goodwin, Bruce Ellington. Backups -- Jeremy Kerley, Trent Taylor, Aaron Burbridge, DeAndre Smelter, Aldrick Robinson, DeAndre Carter, Victor Bolden Jr., BJ Johnson, Kendrick Bourne.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- LT Joe Staley, LG Zane Beadles, C Jeremy Zuttah, RG Josh Garnett, RT Trent Brown. Backups -- LT John Theus, LT Darrell Williams, LG Brandon Fusco, LG JP Flynn, LG Richard Levy, C Daniel Kilgore, C Tim Barnes, RG Erik Magnusson, RT Garry Gilliam, RT Norman Price, RT Andrew Lauderdale.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- DLE Solomon Thomas, NT Earl Mitchell, DT DeForest Buckner, DRE Arik Armstead. Backups -- DLE Elvis Dumervil, DLE Tank Carradine, DLE Ronald Blair, DLE Noble Nwachukwu, NT Quinton Dial, NT D.J. Jones, DT Chris Jones, DRE Aaron Lynch, DRE Pita Taumoepenu.
LINEBACKERS: Starters -- LOLB Ahmad Brooks, MLB NaVorro Bowman, ROLB Malcolm Smith. Backups -- LOLB Eli Harold, LOLB Ray-Ray Armstrong, LOLB Jimmie Gilbert, MLB Brock Coyle, MLB Donavin Newsom, ROLB Reuben Foster, ROLB Dekoda Watson.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters -- LCB Dontae Johnson, RCB Rashard Robinson, FS Jimmie Ward, SS Eric Reid. Backups -- LCB Keith Reaser, LCB K'Waun Williams, LCB Zach Franklin, LCB Will Davis, RCB Ahkello Witherspoon, RCB Adrian Colbert, RCB Prince Iworah, RCB Will Redmond, FS Don Jones, FS Vinnie Sunseri, FS Lorenzo Jerome, SS Jacquiski Tartt, SS Chanceller James.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Robbie Gould, P Bradley Pinion, LS Kyle Nelson, KOR/PR Jeremy Kerley, K Nick Rose, KOR/PR Bruce Ellington.
Seahawks must reunite after offseason Sherman drama
Sherman and the Seahawks claimed there was plenty of communication both ways, and each side said they felt comfortable with the way things were handled. Teammates and coaches vouched for Sherman after multiple incidents late last season and into the spring when he criticized coaches and teammates.
Head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider insisted they were just doing their due diligence and listening to anything that came across their table. In any case, the Seahawks made it public knowledge they had received calls on Sherman's availability and said they had considered offers for the mercurial corner, despite having depth issues behind Sherman.
Now, they'll be put to the test with training camp opening to see whether they can put the offseason of uncertainty behind them.
The Seahawks and New England Patriots are the only teams in the league to have won at least one playoff game in each of the last five seasons. Seattle is a resilient team that has dealt with other issues internally and still managed to find success on the field. Additionally, Seattle didn't lose any significant free agents of note this offseason while adding a few strategic pieces in free agency and an 11-man draft class.
Seattle heads into training camp as the favorite to win the NFC West yet again. The Seahawks' roster remains the most talented in the division, and their track record of success is easy to point to in predicting their performance in 2017.
But what happens if the team struggles early? Will old fissures begin to emerge once again in the locker room? Will the team still be able to find ways to win?
The Seahawks have the talent to earn another trip to the Super Bowl. But for the first time in Carroll's tenure, it's a real question if he will be able to keep everything together.
TOP THREE TRAINING CAMP GOALS
--Stabilize the offensive line. The biggest area of weakness for Seattle a season ago was a young and inexperienced offensive line that was far too inconsistent for the offense to perform reliably. The team is hoping a year of experience will lead to a significant boost in performance across the group, with the additions of Luke Joeckel, Oday Aboushi and Ethan Pocic bringing competition and depth. The team has shuffled guys around, but the presumed starting unit returns mostly intact with Joeckel the only change.
--Find out what Eddie Lacy can bring. The Seahawks lamented the erosion of their rushing attack in the post-Marshawn Lynch era last season. The signing of Lacy was a direct response in an effort to bring a more punishing running style to the group. But Lacy was limited in the early stages of the offseason while recovering from ankle surgery and remains a relative unknown to Seattle.
--Develop young secondary pieces. The Seahawks used four of their 11 draft picks on members of the secondary. While Shaquill Griffin may be the only rookie that has a real chance to earn a starting role, all four will need to be significant contributors right away. Griffin, Tedric Thompson, Delano Hill and Mike Tyson will be core special teams pieces and key backups in the secondary. It's a talented, but inexperienced, group that faces a steep learning curve to be ready for Week 1.
PROJECTED CAMP DEPTH CHART
QUARTERBACKS: Starter -- Russell Wilson. Backups -- Trevone Boykin, Austin Davis.
RUNNING BACKS: Starters -- Eddie Lacy, Thomas Rawls. Backups -- C.J. Prosise, Alex Collins, Chris Carson, Mike Davis, FB Tre Madden, FB Algernon Brown, FB Kyle Coleman.
TIGHT ENDS: Starter -- Jimmy Graham. Backups -- Luke Willson, Nick Vannett, Marcus Lucas, Tyrone Swoopes, Steve Donatell.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters -- Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Tyler Lockett. Backups -- Paul Richardson, Amara Darboh, David Moore, Tanner McEvoy, Kenny Lawler, Kasen Williams, Rodney Smith, Cyril Grayson, J.D. McKissic, Darreus Rogers.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- LT George Fant, LG Luke Joeckel, C Justin Britt, RG Mark Glowinski, RT Germain Ifedi. Backups -- G/T Rees Odhiambo, G/T Oday Aboushi, C Joey Hunt, G/T Ethan Pocic, C/G Will Pericak, T Justin Senior, G Jordon Roos, T Robert Myers.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- LE Cliff Avril, DT Jarran Reed, NT Ahtyba Rubin, RE Michael Bennett. Backups -- DE Frank Clark, DE Malik McDowell, DE Cassius Marsh, DE Quinton Jefferson, DT Nazair Jones, DE Dion Jordan, DT Garrison Smith, DT Jeremy Liggins, DT Shaneil Jenkins, DE Tylor Harris, DE David Bass.
LINEBACKERS: Starters -- WLB K.J. Wright, MLB Bobby Wagner, SLB Michael Wilhoite. Backups -- OLB Terrence Garvin, MLB Arthur Brown, OLB Kevin Pierre-Louis, MLB Dewey McDonald, OLB Kache Palacio, OLB Otha Peters, OLB Ronald Powell, OLB Nick Usher.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters -- LCB Richard Sherman, RCB Jeremy Lane, FS Earl Thomas, SS Kam Chancellor. Backups -- CB DeShawn Shead, CB Shaquill Griffin, CB Mike Tyson, CB Neiko Thorpe, FS Bradley McDougald, FS Tedric Thompson, SS Delano Hill, CB DeAndre Elliott, CB Pierre Desir, CB Demetrius McCray, S Marcus Cromartie, S Jordan Simone.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Blair Walsh, P Jon Ryan, LS Nolan Frese, LS Tyler Ott, KOR/PR Tyler Lockett.
Broncos: QB Siemian in camp battle with Lynch
The children looked up at him. One gazed at the third-year quarterback, saying with reverent awe, "Trevor Siemian!"
Another was not so impressed.
"Why didn't you get Von Miller?" he asked.
Even at a charitable event, Siemian gets no respect. Never mind the fact that his 84.6 passer rating last year ranked him 19th all-time among the 109 first- or second-year quarterbacks with at least 350 attempts in his first season as a starter, or that his plus-eight touchdown-to-interception margin was tied for 17th.
Respect outside of Denver Broncos headquarters seems to elude Siemian, who will go into training camp splitting first-team repetitions with second-year passer Paxton Lynch. Siemian did just enough last year to give himself another chance to earn the starting role, but not enough to hold off Lynch and be handed the job with a new coaching staff and offensive scheme putting the two quarterbacks on even terms.
"It's a clean slate for all of us," he said. "That's how I'm approaching it."
That means absorbing a new scheme -- and plenty of studying to get up to speed. Although Siemian spent part of his downtime vacationing in Ireland, he also spent time studying his iPad playbook. He re-watched every snap of OTAs and minicamp, not only to study the offense -- but to try and find weaknesses in the defense.
"I watched all the OTAs, all the reps," Siemian said. "It's a relatively new scheme for all of us, so we're still kind of ironing everything out. But I just went back through and watched everything. I watched how our defense is playing, too, because they've got some tweaks."
It might only be practice that begins on July 27, but because it's a full-scale quarterback competition, Siemian knows he has to treat it like the regular season if he wants the job. Broncos head coach Vance Joseph wants to name a quarterback as soon as he sees one of the two passers get separation.
If Siemian can do that, earn the starting job and succeed in the role, maybe next time he'll be the player that kids want to meet.
TOP THREE TRAINING CAMP GOALS
--Choose a starting quarterback. Wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders both expressed their wishes that the Broncos would have selected a starting quarterback by this point, but head coach Vance Joseph plans to keep the competition open until either Paxton Lynch or Trevor Siemian emerges. Joseph would rather see one of them break away by succeeding, but it's possible that one of the two quarterbacks could lose the job, as was the case last year when a spate of giveaways in practice and the preseason by Mark Sanchez effectively handed Siemian the starting role.
--Pick a starting left tackle. Ty Sambrailo and first-round pick Garett Bolles split the first-team repetitions during minicamp in June. It seems like only a matter of time before Bolles gets the job outright, but Broncos head coach Vance Joseph has repeatedly emphasized that he wants the No. 20 overall selection to earn the job, and not have it handed to him.
--Settle on a primary tight end. 2015 third-round pick Jeff Heuerman is finally healthy and could be an all-around option. A.J. Derby, a converted college quarterback acquired in a midseason trade with New England last year, is a potentially dependable pass catcher who is a raw blocker. Seventh-year veteran Virgil Green is a dependable blocker, but hasn't done much with his chances as a pass-catching target. But any or all of them could just be keeping the seat warm for rookie Jake Butt while he completes his recovery from the torn ACL he suffered in last December's Orange Bowl.
PROJECTED CAMP DEPTH CHART
QUARTERBACKS: Starter - Trevor Siemian. Backups - Paxton Lynch, Chad Kelly, Kyle Sloter.
RUNNING BACKS: Starters - C.J. Anderson, FB Andy Janovich. Backups - Devontae Booker, Jamaal Charles, Juwan Thompson, De'Angelo Henderson, Bernard Pierce.
TIGHT ENDS: Starter -- A.J. Derby. Backups - Virgil Green, Jeff Heuerman, Jake Butt, Henry Krieger-Coble, Steven Scheu, Austin Traylor.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters - Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders. Backups - Bennie Fowler, Jordan Taylor, Cody Latimer, Marlon Brown, Carlos Henderson, Isaiah McKenzie, Kalif Raymond, Hunter Sharp, Anthony Nash.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters - LT Ty Sambrailo, LG Max Garcia, C Matt Paradis, RG Ron Leary, RT Menelik Watson. Backups - LT Garett Bolles, C/G Connor McGovern, G/T Michael Schofield, RT Donald Stephenson, G Billy Turner, C Dillon Day, G Chris Muller, T Justin Murray, T Cedrick Lang, T Elijah Wilkinson.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters - DE Derek Wolfe, NT Domata Peko, DE Jared Crick. Backups - DE Zach Kerr, DE Billy Winn, NT Kyle Peko, DE Adam Gotsis, DE DeMarcus Walker, NT Tyrique Jarrett, DE Shakir Soto, DE Shelby Harris.
LINEBACKERS: Starters - OLB Von Miller, OLB Shane Ray, ILB Brandon Marshall, ILB Todd Davis. Backups - OLB Shaquil Barrett, OLB Vontarrius Dora, OLB Kasib Edebali, ILB Zaire Anderson, ILB Corey Nelson, OLB Ken Ekanem, ILB Josh Banderas, ILB Jerrol Garcia-Williams, ILB Kevin Snyder, ILB Quentin Gause, ILB Deon Hollins.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters - CB Chris Harris Jr., CB Aqib Talib, FS Darian Stewart, SS T.J. Ward. Backups - CB Bradley Roby, CB Lorenzo Doss, FS Justin Simmons, SS Will Parks, CB Chris Lewis-Harris, CB Brendan Langley, FS Orion Stewart, SS Jamal Carter, CB Dontrell Nelson, CB Marcus Rios, FS Dante Barnett, SS Dymonte Thomas.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Brandon McManus, P Riley Dixon, LS Casey Kreiter, KOR Carlos Henderson, PR Isaiah McKenzie.
Thursday, July 20, 2017
O.J. Simpson granted parole
Former football star and convicted felon O.J. Simpson was granted parole on Thursday in Lovelock, Nev., after serving almost nine years of a 33-year sentence on robbery charges.
The four-person parole board unanimously voted to release Simpson. By virtue of the decision, the 70-year-old Simpson could be out of prison as early as Oct. 1.
Simpson simply lowered his head and whispered "Thank you" after receiving the news.
David Smith, spokesman for the Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners, explained the rationale for granting Simpson's parole in a media conference after the hearing.
"Mr. Simpson had no prior or minimal criminal conviction history," Smith said. "He had a positive institutional record. He had participated in a program specifically to address his behavior that led to his incarceration. He has a stable release plan and community and family support, and the victim in this case testified in support of Mr. Simpson's release."
Simpson was convicted in 2008 of an armed robbery involving two sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas hotel room. He served the minimum sentence at the Lovelock Correctional Center, about 90 miles northeast of Reno, Nev.
"I've spent nine years making no excuses about anything. I am sorry that things turned out the way they did," Simpson said in his closing remarks Thursday. "I had no intent to commit a crime. ... I've done my time. I'd just like to get back to my family and friends -- believe it or not, I do have some real friends -- and I tried to be helpful to everybody."
Appearing as inmate No. 1027820, Simpson was accompanied by lawyer Malcolm LaVergne, prison caseworker Marc La Fleur, close friend Tom Scotto, sister Shirley Baker and daughter Arnelle Simpson.
Simpson said at the time of his arrest that he was attempting to retrieve his own personal sports memorabilia that was stolen from him sometime in the mid-1990s.
By receiving parole, Simpson noted that he wished to repair relationships that have been affected by his time in prison and feels he'll adapt well in everyday life.
"Well, you know, I do have four kids," Simpson said. "I've missed a lot of time with those kids -- like 36 birthdays with my children. ... My reputation has always been that I'm open to the public, I'm open to everybody. Right now, I'm at the point in my life where I can spend as much time with my children and my friends.
"... Wherever I've been there's been a crowd. That's not new to me. ... I'm pretty easily approachable. I've dealt with it all my life, and I don't foresee any problem dealing with the public now, at all."
Arnelle Simpson choked back tears as she pleaded her father's case before the parole board.
"He's like my best friend and my rock," she said. "And as a family, we recognize that he is not the perfect man, but he is the man and the father that speaks to his overall character, which is to be positive no matter what.
"... On behalf of my family, his friends, we just want him to come home."
Bruce Fromong, a victim in the robbery case, spoke in favor of Simpson's release. He said on the day of the robbery, "Simpson was misguided."
"He was misled about what was going to be there that day," Fromong said of the robbery day. "O.J. never held a gun on me. "O.J. is my friend, always has been, and I hope will remain my friend."
Simpson was acquitted in the killings of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman in 1995.
Connie Bisbee, chairman of the Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners, referenced the 1995 trial during Thursday's hearing, saying the board had received hundreds of letter of support and opposition regarding Simpson's release. She specifically noted that case was not relevant to Thursday's hearing and would not be considered when determining whether Simpson would be paroled because Simpson had been acquitted.
He was a highly popular figure prior to the brutal knife-slashing killings in 1994 but the Pro Football Hall of Famer was infamous after the verdicts despite being found not guilty.
Simpson was a college football star at USC and was perhaps the top running back in the NFL in the 1970s while starring for the Buffalo Bills.
Jets among favorites -- to win top draft pick
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles is notorious as a man of few words, but he didn't need to say much to convey his message to players when OTAs ended June 15.
"We got a lot of work done, but we have a lot of work to do when we get back," Bowles said.
Boy, do they ever.
The Jets will convene for training camp on July 28 with a roster almost universally regarded as one of the three worst in the league. For the first time under owner Woody Johnson, the Jets - with no quarterback, a barren wide receiver corps and a rebuilt offensive line and secondary - begin a season in full-on rebuilding mode and with no delusions of grandeur about competing for the franchise's first championship in 49 seasons.
Instead, the Jets are widely expected to vie, along with the tanking San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns, for the top pick in the 2018 draft, when several franchise-caliber quarterbacks are expected to be available in the first round.
Of course, Bowles can't say that, and nor can he coach the season with 2018 in mind - especially when he's on the hot seat following a 5-11 campaign in which he seemed to lose control of the locker room. Instead, he'll attempt to do the impossible: Turn a ragtag bunch into a cohesive unit that has every right to declare it's going to try and shock the world.
"My expectations are high and the team's expectations are high and that's really all that counts," Bowles said.
"I'm trying to get to the playoffs and win a Super Bowl. It's no different than any other year."
TOP THREE TRAINING CAMP GOALS
--Find a quarterback. Whomever wins the quarterback competition will be an underwhelming choice, but the identity of the victor will be telling. If it's Josh McCown, it means the Jets will want to maintain a veneer of competitiveness in the early going, as well as that Christian Hackenberg remains incapable of starting for an NFL team. A victory by Hackenberg won't mean he's suddenly competent - that sub-50 percent completion percentage in the PRESEASON last year is hard to forget - but will indicate the Jets see a longer-term upside in taking their beatings and getting a higher 2018 draft pick than by pretending there's a chance they can compete this season.
--Build positive chemistry. The Jets went 5-11 last year because most of their older good players got old and not so good in a hurry. But a toxic locker room culture and the perpetual distraction created by Ryan Fitzpatrick's bizarre offseason-long holdout didn't help. Now, with the locker room free of older underachievers as well as the divisive presence of Brandon Marshall, head coach Todd Bowles can go about building a "why not us?" culture with the young and overlooked players that will comprise the 2017 squad.
--Develop the offensive line: If the Jets are going to be better than awful this year, they'll need a mostly new offensive line to protect the quarterback, whomever he is, and open some holes for running backs Matt Forte and Bilal Powell. The quintet of C Wesley Johnson, RG Brian Winters, LG James Carpenter, LT Kelvin Beachum and RT Ben Ijalana has never played a single down together, so expect to see the first-team line plenty during exhibition play.
PROJECTED CAMP DEPTH CHART
QUARTERBACKS: Starter - Josh McCown. Backups - Christian Hackenberg,Bryce Petty.
RUNNING BACKS: Starter - Matt Forte. Backups - Bilal Powell, Elijah McGuire, Brandon Wilds, Jordan Todman, Romar Morris, FB Julian Howsare, FB Anthony Firkser.
TIGHT ENDS: Starter - Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Backups -Jordan Leggett, Eric Tomlinson, Brian Parker, Jason Vander Laan.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters - Quincy Enunwa, Robby Anderson, ArDarius Stewart. Backups - Marquess Wilson, Charone Peake, Chad Hansen, Myles White, Jalin Marshall, Devin Street, Frankie Hammond, Deshon Foxx, Chris Harper, Gabe Marks, KD Cannon.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters - C Wesley Johnson, RG Brian Winters, LG James Carpenter, LT Kelvin Beachum, RT Ben Ijalana. Backups - G/C Dakota Dozier, T Brandon Shell, T Brent Qvale, G Craig Watts, OL Alex Balducci, OL Chris Bordelon, OL Ben Braden, OL Jonotthan Harrison, T Jeff Adams, T Javarius Leamon.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- DE Muhammad Wilkerson, NT Steve McLendon, DE Sheldon Richardson, DE Leonard Williams. Backups - NT Deon Simon, DL Lawrence Thomas, Anthony Johnson, DL Mike Pennel, DL Brandin Bryant, DL Patrick Gamble, DL Claude Peron.
LINEBACKERS: Starters - ILB Demario Davis, ILB Darren Lee, OLB Lorenzo Mauldin, OLB Jordan Jenkins. Backups - LB Freddie Bishop, LB Bruce Carter, LB Corey Lemonier, LB Josh Martin, LB Julian Stanford, LB Frank Beltre, LB Dylan Donahue, LB Connor Harris, LB Spencer Paysinger.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters - CB Morris Claiborne, CB Buster Skrine, FS Marcus Maye, SS Jamal Adams. Backups - CB Marcus Williams, CB Juston Burris, CB Dexter McDougle, CB Darryl Roberts, CB Jeremy Clark, CB Xavier Coleman, CB Derrick Jones, CB Bryson Keeton, DB Corey White, S Rontez Miles, S Doug Middleton, S Ronald Martin, S Shamarko Thomas.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Chandler Catanzaro, K Ross Martin, P Lachlan Edwards, KR/PR ArDarius Stewart, KR/PR Jalin Marshall, LS Tanner Purdum.
Raiders open camp with championship goals
ALAMEDA, Calif. -- A year ago, the Oakland Raiders were the popular choice as a breakthrough team, having gone from 3-13 to a competitive 7-9 in their first season under head coach Jack Del Rio.
The Raiders made that pick look pretty smart. They went 12-4, earning their first playoff appearance in 14 seasons.
Taking that big step -- and knowing that the Raiders could have conceivably won the division and reached the AFC title game had it not been for a Week 16 broken fibula sustained by quarterback Derek Carr -- big things are expected in 2017.
How big?
Anything less than challenging the New England Patriots for AFC and NFL supremacy will be considered a disappointment.
With that as a backdrop, the Raiders report to training camp in Napa on July 28 with their first practice the following day. It's Super Bowl or bust for a home fan base that is hoping for a going-away present before the franchise departs to a new stadium in Las Vegas in 2020.
The schedule is brutal, but there are no excuses -- not with foundation piece players on both sides of the ball. Carr is newly crowned as the NFL's highest paid player (per season) by virtue of a five-year, $125 million contract. Defensive end Khalil Mack is the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Del Rio understands the expectations and welcomes them, but his goals will be incremental in training camp and the preseason.
"Just go out there and try and get a little bit better every day," Del Rio said. "You have lofty goals, down-the-road kind of goals, but it's about the work you put in every day. That's the process of becoming a really good football team. That's what we'll be about."
In terms of health, there should be no major concerns as camp opens. Carr played without limitations in the off-season and looks to be at full strength. He promises his outlook won't be any different in terms of daily improvement.
"When we came in here, and our situation wasn't very pretty, all we cared about was busting our tail, outworking everybody, competing our tails off and doing it with class and honor," Carr said. "We respect all our opponents but we fear nobody. It didn't happen overnight. It's something we had to work on.
"Super Bowl teams, all championship teams, have that quiet confidence. Some are less quiet than others, but they definitely have that characteristic.
TOP THREE TRAINING CAMP GOALS
--Improve coverage and communication in secondary. Blown coverages were routine as the Raiders gave up an NFL-high 61 pass plays of 20 yards or more and were tied with Tampa Bay with a league-worst 16 plays of 40 yards or more. To fix the problem, the Raiders drafted cornerback Gareon Conley and safety Obi Melifonwu with their first two picks and hired John Pagano as an assistant head coach who will tackle the communication issues.
--Develop an interior pass rush. Despite the presence of Khalil Mack as one of the NFL's premier edge players, the Raiders had only 25 sacks. Eleven came from Mack and seven from strong-side linebacker Bruce Irvin. The Raiders hope Mario Edwards Jr., a base end who slides inside in the nickel, can provide a middle push, and they'll also look to develop third-round pick Eddie Vanderdoes of UCLA.
--Successfully integrate Marshawn Lynch and Jared Cook to the offense. Lynch came out of retirement to join his hometown team and participated in the offseason program to get up to speed. He'll be brought along deliberately as the Raiders look to replace the 788 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns of departed free agent Latavius Murray. Cook, in theory, gives Carr his first legit middle of the field threat as a tight end; getting that combo going will only enhance Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree on the outside.
PROJECTED CAMP DEPTH CHART
QUARTERBACKS: Starter -- Derek Carr. Backups -- Connor Cook, EJ Manuel.
RUNNING BACKS: Starters -- Marshawn Lynch, FB Jamize Olawale. Backups -- Jalen Richard, DeAndre Washington, Taiwan Jones, Elijah Hood, John Crockett.
TIGHT ENDS: Starter -- Jared Cook. Backups -- Lee Smith, Clive Walford, Gabe Holmes, Pharaoh Brown, Cooper Helfet, Ryan O'Malley.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters -- Michael Crabtree, Amari Cooper. Backups -- Seth Roberts, Cordarrelle Patterson, K.J. Brant, Keon Hatcher, Johnny Holton, Jayden Mickens, Isaac Whitney, Ishmael Zamora.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- LT Donald Penn, LG Kelechi Osemele, C Rodney Hudson, RT Gabe Jackson, RT Marshall Newhouse. Backups -- T Austin Howard, G/C Jon Feliciano, T David Sharpe, T Chauncey Briggs, T Jylan Ware, T Ian Silberman, G Denver Kirkland, G Omi Omiole, G Jordan Simmons.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- RDE Mario Edwards Jr., LDT Darius Latham, NT Justin Ellis, LDE Khalil Mack. Backups - DE/DT Denico Autry, DE/DT Jihad Ward, DE Branden Jackson, DE Jimmy Bean, DE Fadol Brown, DE Chris Casher, DT Eddie Vanderdoes, DT Paul Boyette, DT Treyvon Hester.
LINEBACKERS: Starters -- SLB Bruce Irvin, MLB Cory James, WLB Jelani Jenkins. Backups -- OLB Tyrell Adams, OLB Shilique Calhoun, OLB Najee Harris, MLB Ben Heeney, MLB Marquel Lee, OLB LaTroy Lewis, OLB Nicholas Morrow, OLB Brady Sheldon, OLB Xavier Luster-Woodson, OLB/DE James Cowser.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters -- LCB David Amerson, RCB Sean Smith, SS Karl Joseph, FS Reggie Nelson. Backups -- CB Gareon Conley (nickel), S Obi Melifonwu, CB TJ Carrie, CB Kenneth Durden, CB Antonio Hamilton, CB Chris Humes, CB Dexter McDonald, CB/S Keith McGill, CB Breon Borders, S Anthony Cioffi, S Ricky Jefferson, S Marcus McWilson.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Sebastian Janikowski, K Giorgio Tavecchio, P Marquette King, LS Jon Condo, PR Jalen Richard, KOR Cordarrelle Patterson.
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