u QB competitions, story lines to watch,
Football is back. And as all 32 NFL teams report to training camp this week, starting with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings — the two teams facing off in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 9 — the road to Super Bowl 50 begins now. That means playoff hopefuls need to quickly figure out what they have on their roster and what are their best options to win. Every single squad at this stage has questions it needs to address. Here are some top story lines heading into training camp:
QB competitions
Anytime one of the 32 starting spots is up for grabs, it generates a huge amount of interest. The Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans each has an open competition in August, and Buffalo’s situation is the most interesting. Head coach Rex Ryan has made it clear it won’t just be the top two players on the depth chart fighting for the spot. EJ Manuel, Matt Cassel and Tyrod Taylor will have a fair shot at being named Week 1 starter.
In Cleveland, it will come down to newly signed Josh McCown and last year’s first-round pick, Johnny Manziel, who spent a significant chunk of the offseason in rehab while battling substance abuse issues. In Houston, Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett will fight for the job. Two other jobs worth monitoring are those of Geno Smith with the New York Jets and Robert Griffin III with the Washington Redskins.
First impressions
All eyes in Tampa and Nashville will be on Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota. The No. 1 and No. 2, respective, overall selections in the draft are each projected to start for their teams, and the success of both franchises rests in their arms. The Buccaneers and Winston have a better chance of success, at least initially. With wideouts Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson and tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins — all of them 6-5 — Winston will have plenty of capable and trusted targets if the offensive line can hold its blocks.
Mariota, who could face early struggles as he adapts to more pro-style elements in Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt’s offense, has a steeper learning curve. Either player could win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, and fans are in for an early-season treat as the quarterbacks face off in Tampa in Week 1.
Other rookies who could make an instant impact for their teams are receiver Amari Cooper (Oakland Raiders, No. 4 overall); running back Todd Gurley (St. Louis Rams, No. 10 overall); receiver Nelson Agholor (Philadelphia Eagles, No. 20 overall); defensive end Shane Ray (Denver Broncos, No. 23 overall) and defensive tackle Malcom Brown (New England Patriots, No. 32 overall).
New coaches
There are seven in total. Ryan (Bills), John Fox (Chicago Bears), Gary Kubiak (Broncos), Jack Del Rio (Raiders), Dan Quinn (Atlanta Falcons), Todd Bowles (Jets) and Jim Tomsula (San Francisco 49ers) enter their first seasons with new teams or are making their head coaching debuts. Some situations are set up more favorably than others.
The Broncos were the only playoff team of the group, and they have Peyton Manning as their quarterback. Even with a number of departures in free agency, Denver should have a potent offense and steady defense. The big question will be how the Broncos offense looks in Kubiak’s zone rushing system — a big departure from the offenses Manning is used to. The Falcons, who have steady QB play with Matt Ryan, and the Bills, who went 9-7 last year and have a roster loaded with talent everywhere but quarterback, could be surprise playoff contenders in 2015.
Deflategate fallout
This story just won’t go away. The deflated football scandal that has enveloped the Patriots offseason doesn’t seem to have an end in sight. Once NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issues his verdict from Tom Brady’s appeal on his four-game suspension, the quarterback will have the option of taking the case to federal court.
And if he does, expect this process to drag out over several months. That could involve Brady receiving a temporary restraining order, which would allow him to play while the legal process runs its course. But it would mean he could open himself to the risk that his suspension could come down at anytime — even in the playoffs.
Defensive MVP?
Could this be the year? Texans defensive end J.J. Watt made a
strong push in his quest to become the first defensive player to earn the NFL’s Most Valuable Player Award since linebacker Lawrence Taylor achieved the feat in 1986.
Watt earned 13 votes last season, compared with Green Back Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ winning tally of 31.
Watt, who became the first player in league history to unanimously win the Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2014, poses the best chance to take home the hardware, but it’s likely the only way he’d win the trophy is as a part-time, two-way player.
Watt caught three touchdown passes as a special-package tight end last season.
If that number increases in 2015, Watt could be in line to make history.
Road to recovery
For many talented players, the 2014 season ended far earlier than expected because of significant injuries. In most cases, grueling rehabs have dominated the players’ offseason schedules. The most notable names to watch are quarterbacks Carson Palmer and Sam Bradford. Palmer’s torn anterior cruciate ligament derailed the Arizona Cardinals’ playoff hopes, and a return to health would make them, again, instant contenders in the NFC West.
Bradford had torn the ACL in his left knee for the second season in a row. He is trying to make a positive first impression with the Philadelphia Eagles, who traded for him in March. Entering a contract season with Philadelphia, Bradford needs to show he can be a consistent starter before he becomes an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
Other players who are looking for healthy bounce-back campaigns after season-ending in- juries include New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz (torn patellar tendon); Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (knee microfracture); 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman (torn ACL, medial collateral ligament); Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert (dislocated elbow); Titans linebacker Brian Orakpo (torn chest muscle); Saints receiver Brandin Cooks (broken thumb); Eagles linebacker Kiko Alonso (torn ACL); Rams running back Todd Gurley (torn ACL); Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta (hip); Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (foot); and Browns center Alex Mack (broken foot).
Suspensions lifted
For the first time in a year, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will be back on the field. After dealing with child abuse charges last season, which landed Peterson on the commissioner’s exempt list and then in court, Peterson has been reinstated.
Though Peterson sought a new contract in the offseason, he rejoined his teammates and is set to — again — become a vital force in Minnesota’s offense in 2015. Though Peterson might be rusty and is approaching the age when running backs start to decline, he remains one of the most athletic and powerful players at his position.
Similarly, Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy will be eligible to return to the field Oct. 11 against the Patriots after the league reduced his 10-game suspension to four games.
Hardy had charges dropped in a domestic violence case after the victim, ex-girlfriend Nicole Holder, failed to show up in a jury trial. Like Peterson, Hardy spent the majority of last season on the commissioner’s exempt list but faced a 10-game suspension from the league in April.
The NFL Players Association is considering taking Hardy’s case to court, but either way it appears he will be a much-needed presence for the Cowboys in some form.