The start of training camp has had no shortages of storylines to follow. The most important detail about this time of wide spread speculation and optimism among the league is that most of this will be forgotten by Week One.
Still, it’s important to follow these storylines, as which players recover from off-season surgeries and injuries, which rookie get the most time in camp as possible, how new teammates are bonding, and how quarterbacks feel about their contract and their teams.
Opening Thought: Enough with Cowboy Camp Miscommunication on Hazing
I don’t want to delve into the Dez Bryant situation too much, as it’s a huge non-issue that the media has overblown in search for a story. They understand that Bryant had somewhat of a renegade personality over his college career and him not carrying Roy Williams pads shows that he could be a “diva” like the two in Cincinnati.
That shows nothing except that he’s ready to work. Relax, it hazing. Bryant is too valuable, too talented, and too ready to prove everyone wrong to play along with the “Cowboy way”. That way hasn’t lead to a Super Bowl, and maybe this shows that.
TO and Ochocinco Equals Cincy Uh-Oh
The main story that’s been hogging the headlines the past few weeks has finale concluded, and the most outgoing receiver in NFL history couldn’t have landed in a more perfect media location.
With Ochocinco, newly signed Antonio Bryant, and three young receivers, there seems to be no room for the eventual Hall of Famer. However, with Andre Caldwell and Jerome Simpson yet to show production and Antonio Bryant coming off injury, it looks like TO could slide right in as a possible number two receiver, allowing Bryant to be in the slot and make this corps one of the best in the NFL.
Tom Brady and his New Contract: Just a Matter of How Much
All this talk of Brady and whether he’ll get his huge extension is like wondering if it will rain in Seattle. It’s going to happen, and though it may not be on schedule, it’s gunna come and come flowing.
The deal will be the biggest ever for a quarterback, and if anyone deserves it, it’s gotta be him. He’s already in camp, ready to go, and primed to compete once again for an AFC crown.
We’re Rolling with Rookie Deals, Minus Bradford and Most First Rounders
With a solid run on draft picks signed over the past few days, things look good for the rest of the unsigned rookies to get contracts done soon. For the remaining 27 unsigned first rounders, hopefully things will get done soon for those remaining teams. After Bradford, which should happen any day now with 50 million likely guarenteed, there should be a domino effect with the remaining top 10.
Suh is the only possible snag in that domino effect, as his agent will want his contract to be close to Bradford, while the Lions will say that Bradford got the “quarterback bonus”. Other than that, once Bradford and Suh go, McCoy, Williams, Berry, Okung, and the rest of the unsigned should soon follow.
The Injury Bug Spreading Like Locusts
Just as training camp begins, the story is starting to shift from which players won’t be on the field to which ones can’t be. Impact players such as Wes Welker (ACL surgery), Steve Smith (foot injury from recreational football), and three impact Saints (Marques Colston, Robert Meachem, and Darren Sharper) are all on the PUP list (physically unable to perform).
Also, Colts safety Bob Sanders has been dealing with a torn bicep injury for the past three seasons, and now it seems it could be worse then ever anticipated. It looks as though this injury could be career threatening. Hopefully that’s not the case because Sanders play with reckless abandon is so entertainig to watch, but it’s something to follow.
Ugh, No Word Yet on the Eventual Comeback of Brett Favre: Keep Working Rachel Nichols
The constant “updates” on Favre have begun, as usual, to lose it’s luster. He’s been working with his usual high school teammates in Mississippi and rehabbing his ankle.
What does that all mean?
His ankle kind of hurts, and doesn’t think that leaving the comforts of his own home will aid in its recovery. He’s going to lineup in front of Adrian Peterson come mid preseason, and he may just take them to the Super Bowl to play the Baltimore Ravens.
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