Things to watch as NFL training camps kick off
Until the NFL shortens its preseason, there will be one goal in late July and early August.
Stay healthy. Unfortunately, nearly every team sustains significant injuries, some of which can be devastating for the regular season. Coaches and general managers will curse under their breath when they lose a key regular, then claim the “next man up” policy will take care of the problem.
Sometimes, they are right. Often, the swearing becomes more intense and louder.
As teams settle in at sweltering training camps this week, playbooks are distributed (digitally, of course), rookies and other youngsters try to catch the eye of decision makers, and fans wonder what their teams will look like in early September. And beyond. Except, perhaps, in New England. Some things to keep an eye on until the Packers and Bears kick off on Sept. 5 to open the league’s 100th season.
Brady, yes; Gronk, no
We’re not likely to see much of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady until opening day. We won’t see any of his buddy and standout tight end, Rob Gronkowski, whose battered body caused him to retire.
It’s a big blow for the soon-to-be 42year-old Brady, who somehow manages to overcome such obstacles.
Gronk’s absence is the most critical difference for last season’s champions.
Coaching carousel
When the spinning stopped, new head coaches landed in Tampa, Miami, Green Bay, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Arizona, Denver, and New Jersey.
Bruce Arians, Buccaneers: One of two hires with previous head coaching experience (Adam Gase is the other), Arians is charged with developing the talent and instilling maturity in Jameis Winston. The quarterback never has lived up to his top overall draft pick status, but if anyone can push Winston toward elite status, it is QB whisperer Arians.
Brian Flores, Dolphins: For a while, it looked as if Miami was ready to tank this season as it reorganizes from top to bottom.
But this is not the worst roster in the league. Still, Flores has to prove a Belichick protege can succeed as a head coach.
Matt LaFleur, Packers: Aaron Rodgers isn’t the easiest superstar passer to work with, so keep an eye on the transition in Cheesehead Land. The offense should be pretty good if A-Rod is healthy, so the biggest chore is upgrading a previously unreliable defense.
Zac Taylor, Bengals: Good luck, Zac. The Bengals have the weakest talent group in the AFC North, with even their stars such as A.J. Green and Geno Atkins carrying big question marks. Of course, if Taylor ever wins one postseason game, he will have outdone Marvin Lewis.
Freddie Kitchens, Browns: The idea here is that Kitchens, QB Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. will blend their skills and personalities to create a dynamic offense. And, yes, a winner on the shores of Lake Erie.
Of all the new hires, Kitchens might be under the most pressure considering the ramped-up expectations in Cleveland – and the potential for major disruptions.
Kliff Kingsbury, Cardinals: Perhaps the strangest hire of this group because Kingsbury had a mediocre record at Texas Tech and was fired. But he specializes in the kind of offense top draftee Kyler Murray favors, and he is innovative. Kingsbury also is stuck with a weak roster.
Vic Fangio, Broncos: A career assistant who has built strong defenses for years – including in Chicago last season – Fangio is the latest sideline boss hired by John Elway.
He has some studs on D with Von Miller, Chris Harris Jr. and Bradley Chubb, so improvement is possible. Can the offense, with Joe Flacco behind center, do the same?
Adam Gase, Jets: Developing Sam Darnold into the franchise QB the Jets believe he will become is Gase’s responsibility. While there’s been substantial turmoil in New York’s front office, the roster has been upgraded with the likes of RB Le’Veon Bell and LB C.J. Mosley.
That gives Gase a chance to do what predecessor Todd Bowles could not: make the playoffs.