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Ron Jenkins / Associated Press
NFL training camps might be unorthodox this year, but that hasn’t stopped the buzz from each of the 32 teams.
While players won’t be wearing pads until mid-August and the preseason has been canceled altogether, comments from coaches and players, along with pictures, reports and rumors, paint an interesting picture. buzz at the start of the training camp process.
Whether it’s players hoping for a Super Bowl, rumors of free agency additions, or potential big-name jumps, the Camp Mill is something spectators can count on to stay the same.
Here’s a look at the biggest buzz from the opening games of the camp with a verdict for each.
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Seth Wenig / Associated press
Saquon Barkley and the New York Giants want to sell a fresh start under the guidance of new head coach Joe Judge.
But the reality could be a little more complicated.
Yet Barkley made the case to reporters.
“What tells me it could be different? First, it’s a whole new year. It’s a new start,” said the running back. “From what I’ve seen in those early days, we’re way ahead, in my opinion. We enter, we are locked up. Are mistakes made, yes that is part of the nature of learning a system and learning a new offense. “
A fresh start might not mean a good start, as implementing a new system isn’t a quick process, especially during this odd offseason. To complicate matters is the removal of star left tackle Nate Solder, which means a combination of veteran Cameron Fleming, first-round pick Andrew Thomas and third-round pick Matt Peart will have to start at the edges ahead. Daniel Jones.
While Barkley’s production will likely be good, Jones is only in his second season and last year struggled to hit a 61.9 completion percentage with 3,027 yards and 24 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. .
While 2020 is technically a fresh start, it has always seemed like a year of transition and / or development for a team that hasn’t won more than five games in a season in the past three years.
The verdict: Sale
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Ron Jenkins / Associated Press
It didn’t take long for Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott to make a good impression on new head coach Mike McCarthy.
McCarthy knows a thing or two about quarterbacks, given his history with the job, and he’s already singing the praises of Prescott.
“I am very happy with his situation and very impressed, “McCarthy told reporters. He added:”I really appreciated his personality. He is very optimistic, very motivated. I would say he’s sort of picked up where he left off based on what I’ve been told about him as far as he’s operating. Very detailed in its preparation. “
McCarthy, who oversaw names like Aaron Rodgers and even briefly Brett Favre, was always going to love what he inherited under center when he took the job. While Prescott’s offseason was fraught with speculation about whether he would get a long-term extension after receiving the franchise tag, he is a 65.8% career passer with 15,778 yards and 97. touchdowns versus 36 interceptions with a 40-24 record.
It should be a point of comfort to hear that the head coach charged with being more creative than his predecessor is already a fan of the franchise’s ferryman. Additionally, Prescott hands over to Ezekiel Elliott and newly re-signed Amari Cooper and newly drafted CeeDee Lamb.
The verdict: Purchase
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Chris O’Meara / Associated Press
In an offseason peppered with massive moves and captivating quirks, the Indianapolis Colts ‘swap for the San Francisco 49ers’ DeForest Buckner didn’t get the attention it deserved.
The Colts have won at least seven games in each of the past two seasons and added a Buckner player who had 19.5 sacks in his past two seasons, as well as a 78.8 Pro Football Focus rating l ‘last year.
Now Buckner is thinking of the Super Bowl for his new team.
“Being short last year obviously left a bad taste in my mouth,” he told reporters. “Obviously a few guys are able to make it to this game in their careers, but also when you get there you have to make it count. And I couldn’t make it count last year. So I feel like we have the team that can do it, and we just have to do it. “
However, problems abound with this idea. Quarterback Philip Rivers is joining a new team for the first time in his long career during a tough offseason to do so and regressed last season (23 TDs, 20 interceptions). The Colts didn’t have a first-round pick due to the one-year Buckner trade removed from passing just 3-3 in a rapidly improving AFC South.
The addition of Buckner should improve a 41-sack defense a season ago. But the uncertainty under center, ending last year as losers in five of six and the poor offseason do a tough job in one of the NFL’s top divisions.
The verdict: Sale
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Alex Brandon / Associated press
Washington’s first-round pick Dwayne Haskins was not well placed last year.
The 15th overall pick was not cleared from the gates, saw a dysfunctional organization fire its head coach after five games and ultimately be thrown into action under the guidance of an interim head coach.
Hope in Washington appears to be that better top-down organizational stability will lead to a big sophomore jump for the former Ohio State star.
Earl Guard Brandon Scherff as all in one, as he told the media, Haskins “does a great job.”
New head coach Ron Rivera said Haskins had “done a great job of studying, preparing and preparing for this. He’s been great.”
As great as it sounds, it’s never easier with unnamed young quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes. Rivera’s consistency and leadership will be huge for Haskins, but his struggles last year – seven touchdowns and seven interceptions on a 67.6 PFF rating – could have done more harm than good. It doesn’t help that Washington remains one of the NFL’s biggest rebuilding projects.
Which doesn’t mean that things aren’t getting better. Terry McLaurin is quietly a broad elite, the offensive line is finally free from the drama of Trent Williams and the defensive front seven is flirting with elite status. But to expect a massive jump from Haskins in what could be classified as his rookie season on the pitch could be misguided, let alone the odd offseason.
The verdict: Sale
5 out of 6
Michael Conroy / Associated press
The Seattle Seahawks have shown no sign of pumping the brakes when it comes to chasing a Lombardi Trophy.
Seattle has taken a big step after a big move in recent years, including acquiring Duane Brown on the left tackle past Russell Wilson, making Wilson a great playmaker in the form of DK Metcalf and most recently providing safety. elite Jamal Adams.
And the Seahawks might not be made.
According to NFL Network Michael silver, the Seahawks have an interest in free agents Clay Matthews and Everson Griffen, a pair of veterans who could boost the pass rush.
There are some interesting dynamics at play. Speculation has linked the Seahawks to a reunion with Jadeveon Clowney, though he doesn’t do much to stimulate the pass rush for a defense that has only scored 28 sacks. Last year. Adams, although classified as a safety, is an elite pass-rusher with 12 sacks over three seasons and 16 presses last season.
Either way, adding Matthews and his eight sacks in 13 games last year would give it a boost. So would Griffen, owner of at least eight sacks in five of his last six seasons, a campaign riddled with injury. At this point in the preseason and with the apparent need, why not?
The verdict: Purchase
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Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press
The reshaped Kansas City Chiefs’ defense from a year ago played a big role in helping Mahomes and Co. win it all.
Particularly impressive was a passing run led by Frank Clark and Chris Jones who beat 45 sacks. Clark, in his first season with the team, had eight sacks, while Jones had nine.
Clark followed up on his impressive first season by suggesting that the second year for the tandem will be even better, telling reporters: “We’re going to be the two best defensive linemen to have played together.”
It’s an exaggerated position, but Clark is correct in suggesting that the two have plenty of room to develop. The defensive end’s first season at Kansas City actually saw a regression in sacks, down from 13 the year before and its lowest score since his rookie season in 2015. Jones’ sacks are down 15 , 5 in 2018, with injuries hampering production in 2019.
The big theme? A rich-get-richer approach for a Chiefs team that has just won it all and continues to progress on a rebuilt defensive unit. Jones and Clark probably won’t achieve the best status ever, but they will flirt with enough status to repeat themselves.
The verdict: Sale
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