ANDERSON, Ind. — Like the long-running chicken-or-egg conundrum, everyone in the NFL is wondering what will happen first: Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning gets a new contract or the league gets a new collective bargaining agreement.
Peyton Manning enters the final year of his Colts contract.
If you’re predisposed to gambling, bet on Manning. Not that Colts president Bill Polian, team owner Jim Irsay or Manning’s agent, Tom Condon is ready to show his hand.
"It could happen, sure," Polian said as he sat in a golf cart and watched a special teams practice at training camp Thursday afternoon. "There’s no deadline, there’s no timeline. Jim never said there was, I’ve never said there was, Tom Condon has never said that there was."
Perhaps, but you know the Colts aren’t going to allow the NFL’s only four-time MVP to dangle without a contract. The seven-year, $98 million contract (including a $35.5 million guaranteed bonus) Manning signed in March 2004 — at the time, a landmark deal in the NFL — expires at the end of this season.
Manning will have a new contract shortly after the season ends — if not before. Polian said he talks to Condon regularly, and Manning is often the subject of their conversations.
"Sure, I talk to him all the time," Polian said, adding that he and Condon have ongoing discussion about Manning’s contract situation. "There has, and there will be (continued talk)."
Manning isn’t the only premier quarterback whose contract will end after the season. Tom Brady, who signed a six-year extension worth about $60 million with the Patriots in 2005, also is seeking a new deal.
Irsay acknowledged the Manning-Brady parallel when he spoke to reporters on media day at the Super Bowl last February.
Bill Polian: “There’s no deadline, there’s no timeline.”
"Those two guys are kind of tied at the hip, so to speak, in terms of how they’re viewed as outstanding players in this league," Irsay said.
"(Brady’s) up at the same time, and there’s no question that those guys are comparable in terms of what they’ll be getting paid."
There has been speculation that Irsay said the Colts were ready to "break the bank" to pay Manning, but Polian disputes that. "I’m not sure he said that," Polian said. "I didn’t hear that."
But wouldn’t Polian agree that Manning is the top player in the league? "He certainly is among the top four or five," Polian said. "I don’t get into (that). I can’t tell you who the greatest players of all time are. I could take a guess on the top 100 — I’m probably old enough to see 75 of them and have an opinion — but I don’t get into who’s the best. It’s in the eye of the beholder."
The Manning contract isn’t the only fiscal issue on Polian’s plate. Wide receiver Reggie Wayne and defensive end Robert Mathis have two years left on their deals, but both players skipped the Colts’ offseason workouts and minicamps as signs they aren’t happy with their contract situations.
Can the Colts give Manning his proper due and still have enough money in their coffers to satisfy some of the team’s best supporting cast members and keep the talent together?
"We’ve done it for 13 years," Polian said, "so my presumption is we can continue to do it."
Polian said he and Manning talk every year at the end of spring. This year, Polian told Manning what his timeline was on a new contract for the quarterback. Polian declined to reveal what that timeline is. "That’s a private conversation," Polian said.
Yes, but it’s one everyone in the NFL is wishing would be made public.
This story appears in Aug. 13’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only digital sports daily, sign up today.
ANDERSON, Ind. — Like the long-running chicken-or-egg conundrum, everyone in the NFL is wondering what will happen first: Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning gets a new contract or the league gets a new collective bargaining agreement.
Peyton Manning enters the final year of his Colts contract.
If you’re predisposed to gambling, bet on Manning. Not that Colts president Bill Polian, team owner Jim Irsay or Manning’s agent, Tom Condon is ready to show his hand.
"It could happen, sure," Polian said as he sat in a golf cart and watched a special teams practice at training camp Thursday afternoon. "There’s no deadline, there’s no timeline. Jim never said there was, I’ve never said there was, Tom Condon has never said that there was."
Perhaps, but you know the Colts aren’t going to allow the NFL’s only four-time MVP to dangle without a contract. The seven-year, $98 million contract (including a $35.5 million guaranteed bonus) Manning signed in March 2004 — at the time, a landmark deal in the NFL — expires at the end of this season.
Manning will have a new contract shortly after the season ends — if not before. Polian said he talks to Condon regularly, and Manning is often the subject of their conversations.
"Sure, I talk to him all the time," Polian said, adding that he and Condon have ongoing discussion about Manning’s contract situation. "There has, and there will be (continued talk)."
Manning isn’t the only premier quarterback whose contract will end after the season. Tom Brady, who signed a six-year extension worth about $60 million with the Patriots in 2005, also is seeking a new deal.
Irsay acknowledged the Manning-Brady parallel when he spoke to reporters on media day at the Super Bowl last February.
Bill Polian: “There’s no deadline, there’s no timeline.”
"Those two guys are kind of tied at the hip, so to speak, in terms of how they’re viewed as outstanding players in this league," Irsay said.
"(Brady’s) up at the same time, and there’s no question that those guys are comparable in terms of what they’ll be getting paid."
There has been speculation that Irsay said the Colts were ready to "break the bank" to pay Manning, but Polian disputes that. "I’m not sure he said that," Polian said. "I didn’t hear that."
But wouldn’t Polian agree that Manning is the top player in the league? "He certainly is among the top four or five," Polian said. "I don’t get into (that). I can’t tell you who the greatest players of all time are. I could take a guess on the top 100 — I’m probably old enough to see 75 of them and have an opinion — but I don’t get into who’s the best. It’s in the eye of the beholder."
The Manning contract isn’t the only fiscal issue on Polian’s plate. Wide receiver Reggie Wayne and defensive end Robert Mathis have two years left on their deals, but both players skipped the Colts’ offseason workouts and minicamps as signs they aren’t happy with their contract situations.
Can the Colts give Manning his proper due and still have enough money in their coffers to satisfy some of the team’s best supporting cast members and keep the talent together?
"We’ve done it for 13 years," Polian said, "so my presumption is we can continue to do it."
Polian said he and Manning talk every year at the end of spring. This year, Polian told Manning what his timeline was on a new contract for the quarterback. Polian declined to reveal what that timeline is. "That’s a private conversation," Polian said.
Yes, but it’s one everyone in the NFL is wishing would be made public.
This story appears in Aug. 13’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only digital sports daily, sign up today.
GEORGETOWN, Ky. — On one side, he sees Chad Ochocinco. On the other side, he sees Terrell Owens. Inside, there is Jermaine Gresham and maybe Andre Caldwell or Jordan Shipley.
Carson Palmer enters his eighth season in the NFL, all with the Bengals.
Everywhere Carson Palmer looks, the Bengals quarterback sees a big passing play waiting to happen.
"There’s definitely a lot of talent, a handful of good players," Palmer said after a recent morning practice at training camp. "We feel if we can really get some continuity together and get comfortable with each other, we could be one of the better passing offenses in the league."
The Bengals have had big-time receiving weapons before. Ochocinco, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chris Henry once were a formidable trio. But this current group — which should only get better once Antonio Bryant returns from rehabbing a knee injury — could create nightmares for defensive coordinators.
The Bengals went 10-6 and won the AFC North last season, but their passing game lacked teeth. Their top two tight ends, Reggie Kelly (Achilles’ tendon) and Ben Utecht (concussion), were lost during the preseason. Henry suffered a broken arm in November and later died after falling out of the back of a pickup truck.
That left Ochocinco as the only legitimate receiving threat. He managed to catch 72 passes for 1,047 yards and nine touchdowns last season, but the lack of explosive plays in the passing game stood out like a broken nose on a Miss America candidate.
So the Bengals went looking for playmakers. In March, they signed Bryant, a former Bucs wide receiver. In April, they drafted Gresham (a tight end from Oklahoma) in the first round and Shipley (a wideout/return specialist from Texas) in the third round. They added the final piece when they signed T.O. right before training camp.
There’s not a quarterback in the league who wouldn’t want to throw to a wide receiver duo of Ochocinco and Owens.
"With what (Ochocinco) brings and what I bring to the table, I’m sure Carson is as ready and excited for the season to start as we are," Owens said.
In his five full seasons as a starter — he didn’t play as a rookie in ’03 and missed 12 games in ’08 with an elbow injury — Palmer threw for more than 4,000 yards twice, was selected to two Pro Bowls and had almost 50 more touchdown passes (125) than interceptions (76). Yet you never see him compared to elite quarterbacks such as Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Brett Favre.
What’s holding Palmer back?
"Super Bowls, I guess," he said. "You named all those guys; they’ve all got Super Bowls. That’s what it comes down to. You’re not judged on how many yards you throw for as a quarterback; you’re judged on how many Super Bowls you have."
Owens has played with many quarterbacks during his 15 seasons. Despite being with the Bengals for only a couple of weeks, he ranks Palmer behind only Steve Young and Donovan McNabb.
"A quarterback for a receiver, that’s like ham and cheese, peanut butter and jelly. They go hand in hand," Owens said. "Playing with Carson this year, knowing that I definitely have a capable quarterback, a proven quarterback, a guy that can throw the ball all across the field and make things happen, that makes my mouth water."
Palmer experiences a similar sensation when he lines up under center and looks around at all the playmakers. A Super Bowl would quench his hunger.
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.
GEORGETOWN, Ky. — On one side, he sees Chad Ochocinco. On the other side, he sees Terrell Owens. Inside, there is Jermaine Gresham and maybe Andre Caldwell or Jordan Shipley.
Carson Palmer enters his eighth season in the NFL, all with the Bengals.
Everywhere Carson Palmer looks, the Bengals quarterback sees a big passing play waiting to happen.
"There’s definitely a lot of talent, a handful of good players," Palmer said after a recent morning practice at training camp. "We feel if we can really get some continuity together and get comfortable with each other, we could be one of the better passing offenses in the league."
The Bengals have had big-time receiving weapons before. Ochocinco, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chris Henry once were a formidable trio. But this current group — which should only get better once Antonio Bryant returns from rehabbing a knee injury — could create nightmares for defensive coordinators.
The Bengals went 10-6 and won the AFC North last season, but their passing game lacked teeth. Their top two tight ends, Reggie Kelly (Achilles’ tendon) and Ben Utecht (concussion), were lost during the preseason. Henry suffered a broken arm in November and later died after falling out of the back of a pickup truck.
That left Ochocinco as the only legitimate receiving threat. He managed to catch 72 passes for 1,047 yards and nine touchdowns last season, but the lack of explosive plays in the passing game stood out like a broken nose on a Miss America candidate.
So the Bengals went looking for playmakers. In March, they signed Bryant, a former Bucs wide receiver. In April, they drafted Gresham (a tight end from Oklahoma) in the first round and Shipley (a wideout/return specialist from Texas) in the third round. They added the final piece when they signed T.O. right before training camp.
There’s not a quarterback in the league who wouldn’t want to throw to a wide receiver duo of Ochocinco and Owens.
"With what (Ochocinco) brings and what I bring to the table, I’m sure Carson is as ready and excited for the season to start as we are," Owens said.
In his five full seasons as a starter — he didn’t play as a rookie in ’03 and missed 12 games in ’08 with an elbow injury — Palmer threw for more than 4,000 yards twice, was selected to two Pro Bowls and had almost 50 more touchdown passes (125) than interceptions (76). Yet you never see him compared to elite quarterbacks such as Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Brett Favre.
What’s holding Palmer back?
"Super Bowls, I guess," he said. "You named all those guys; they’ve all got Super Bowls. That’s what it comes down to. You’re not judged on how many yards you throw for as a quarterback; you’re judged on how many Super Bowls you have."
Owens has played with many quarterbacks during his 15 seasons. Despite being with the Bengals for only a couple of weeks, he ranks Palmer behind only Steve Young and Donovan McNabb.
"A quarterback for a receiver, that’s like ham and cheese, peanut butter and jelly. They go hand in hand," Owens said. "Playing with Carson this year, knowing that I definitely have a capable quarterback, a proven quarterback, a guy that can throw the ball all across the field and make things happen, that makes my mouth water."
Palmer experiences a similar sensation when he lines up under center and looks around at all the playmakers. A Super Bowl would quench his hunger.
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.
Observations and opinions from Bengals training camp in Georgetown, Ky.:
What’s new
Months ago, Chad Ochocinco lobbied for Terrell Owens to join the Bengals, and now his wish has come true.
The Bengals have gone from one diva at wide receiver to diva deux with the recent signing of Terrell Owens. Assuming T.O. and Chad Ochocinco can play nicely together, the Bengals should have one of the most explosive passing games in the league. Yes, Owens is 36 and entering his 15th season. But in a less-than-stellar ’09 season in Buffalo, he still averaged 15.1 yards per catch and produced 10 plays of at least 25 yards. "The numbers speak for themselves," Owens said. "They constantly try to say that I have slowed down, that I have fallen off, this and that. But that’s one of those things where the media has always found some way to say something negative about my career."
Camp battle
Nickel back. Adam Jones, Morgan Trent, Brandon Ghee and David Jones all are contending for the backup spot behind starting corners Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph. Trent was the nickel back last season, but Jones was the first man in last Sunday against Dallas.
Rehab report
Wide receiver Antonio Bryant hasn’t practiced since the opening day of camp. He is rehabbing a left knee that had torn meniscus and a bone bruise last year. "He’s doing well," Lewis said Wednesday. "I wish I could tell you that tomorrow is going to be the day, but we’re not quite there yet. It’s a process that we’re going to let take its time and see how it comes out. Hopefully, it comes out positive for the kid."
Player on the spot
The team’s first-round pick in ’09, second-year tackle Andre Smith was expected to beat out Dennis Roland for the starting spot at right tackle. That looks like a pipe dream right now. Smith had surgery in February to insert a pin in his left foot, which he injured early last season, and hasn’t been on the field. There also have been questions about his offseason conditioning and work ethic. "I’m not going to let the offense get held back waiting for Andre to figure it out," Lewis said. "Andre is going to figure out how to become a pro and do things the way it’s asked to do all the time."
2010 Outlook
The Bengals have a young, rising defense that ranked fourth in the league in ’09. The running game is solid and the passing game should be helped by the additions of Owens and rookie tight end Jermaine Gresham. They may not go 10-6 and sweep their AFC North division rivals, like they did last season, but they will be a playoff team again.
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.
Observations and opinions from Bengals training camp in Georgetown, Ky.:
What’s new
Months ago, Chad Ochocinco lobbied for Terrell Owens to join the Bengals, and now his wish has come true.
The Bengals have gone from one diva at wide receiver to diva deux with the recent signing of Terrell Owens. Assuming T.O. and Chad Ochocinco can play nicely together, the Bengals should have one of the most explosive passing games in the league. Yes, Owens is 36 and entering his 15th season. But in a less-than-stellar ’09 season in Buffalo, he still averaged 15.1 yards per catch and produced 10 plays of at least 25 yards. "The numbers speak for themselves," Owens said. "They constantly try to say that I have slowed down, that I have fallen off, this and that. But that’s one of those things where the media has always found some way to say something negative about my career."
Camp battle
Nickel back. Adam Jones, Morgan Trent, Brandon Ghee and David Jones all are contending for the backup spot behind starting corners Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph. Trent was the nickel back last season, but Jones was the first man in last Sunday against Dallas.
Rehab report
Wide receiver Antonio Bryant hasn’t practiced since the opening day of camp. He is rehabbing a left knee that had torn meniscus and a bone bruise last year. "He’s doing well," Lewis said Wednesday. "I wish I could tell you that tomorrow is going to be the day, but we’re not quite there yet. It’s a process that we’re going to let take its time and see how it comes out. Hopefully, it comes out positive for the kid."
Player on the spot
The team’s first-round pick in ’09, second-year tackle Andre Smith was expected to beat out Dennis Roland for the starting spot at right tackle. That looks like a pipe dream right now. Smith had surgery in February to insert a pin in his left foot, which he injured early last season, and hasn’t been on the field. There also have been questions about his offseason conditioning and work ethic. "I’m not going to let the offense get held back waiting for Andre to figure it out," Lewis said. "Andre is going to figure out how to become a pro and do things the way it’s asked to do all the time."
2010 Outlook
The Bengals have a young, rising defense that ranked fourth in the league in ’09. The running game is solid and the passing game should be helped by the additions of Owens and rookie tight end Jermaine Gresham. They may not go 10-6 and sweep their AFC North division rivals, like they did last season, but they will be a playoff team again.
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.
Observations and opinions from Titans training camp in Nashville:
A more talented receiving corps could give Vince Young a boost this season.
What’s new
When you think of the Titans’ offense, you think of 2,000-yard rusher Chris Johnson first. But now they’re developing some talent at the wide receiver position.
In addition to veterans Justin Gage, Kenny Britt and Nate Washington, Lavelle Hawkins looks like he has made a big jump heading into his third season, and seventh-round rookie Marc Mariani has been impressive. Damian Williams, a third-round pick, currently is on the physically unable to perform list.
"This is the best group of receivers (fifth-year quarterback) Vince Young has had around him since coming here," coach Jeff Fisher said.
Camp competition
Jason McCourty and Ryan Mouton, a pair of ’09 draft picks, aren’t the only two competing for the starting cornerback spot opposite Cortland Finnegan. Rookie Alterraun Verner also is in the mix. And veteran Tye Hill (strained hamstring) will join the competition once he returns to team drills.
"They are all just getting better right now," Fisher said. "It would be a tough call today if we were starting the regular season."
Rehab report
Starting outside linebacker David Thornton still is recovering from a shoulder injury that ended his ’09 season after 11 games. Thornton has been running and lifting weights but hasn’t practiced. The coaches hope he can play during the preseason at some point.
Rookie on the spot
The Titans drafted former Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan in the first round, hoping he could replace Kyle Vanden Bosch (now in Detroit). But nagging injuries, including a strained calf on the second day of camp, have limited Morgan. He is missing a lot of important reps.
"That’s costly," Fisher said, "but if there’s an underlying provision it’s that he plays well. He plays the run well, he rushes the passer, he plays with a good pad level. He’s a smart kid. He knows what to do and how to do it."
2010 outlook
There are a lot of reasons for optimism in Tennessee. Johnson is the fastest running back in the NFL—if not the best. Young appears to be on the verge of full blossom. And Fisher, currently the longest-tenured coach with one team, always gets his players to play hard. But this is a young team, especially on defense, and it might be a year away from being a contender.
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.
Observations and opinions from Titans training camp in Nashville:
A more talented receiving corps could give Vince Young a boost this season.
What’s new
When you think of the Titans’ offense, you think of 2,000-yard rusher Chris Johnson first. But now they’re developing some talent at the wide receiver position.
In addition to veterans Justin Gage, Kenny Britt and Nate Washington, Lavelle Hawkins looks like he has made a big jump heading into his third season, and seventh-round rookie Marc Mariani has been impressive. Damian Williams, a third-round pick, currently is on the physically unable to perform list.
"This is the best group of receivers (fifth-year quarterback) Vince Young has had around him since coming here," coach Jeff Fisher said.
Camp competition
Jason McCourty and Ryan Mouton, a pair of ’09 draft picks, aren’t the only two competing for the starting cornerback spot opposite Cortland Finnegan. Rookie Alterraun Verner also is in the mix. And veteran Tye Hill (strained hamstring) will join the competition once he returns to team drills.
"They are all just getting better right now," Fisher said. "It would be a tough call today if we were starting the regular season."
Rehab report
Starting outside linebacker David Thornton still is recovering from a shoulder injury that ended his ’09 season after 11 games. Thornton has been running and lifting weights but hasn’t practiced. The coaches hope he can play during the preseason at some point.
Rookie on the spot
The Titans drafted former Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan in the first round, hoping he could replace Kyle Vanden Bosch (now in Detroit). But nagging injuries, including a strained calf on the second day of camp, have limited Morgan. He is missing a lot of important reps.
"That’s costly," Fisher said, "but if there’s an underlying provision it’s that he plays well. He plays the run well, he rushes the passer, he plays with a good pad level. He’s a smart kid. He knows what to do and how to do it."
2010 outlook
There are a lot of reasons for optimism in Tennessee. Johnson is the fastest running back in the NFL—if not the best. Young appears to be on the verge of full blossom. And Fisher, currently the longest-tenured coach with one team, always gets his players to play hard. But this is a young team, especially on defense, and it might be a year away from being a contender.
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.
CORTLAND, N.Y.—You might feel like you’ve had a belly full of the Jets already, but you’ve only sampled the hors d’oeuvres. Get ready for the entrees.
The team that believes it is bound for Super Bowl 45—just ask anyone in green and white; he’ll tell you—will be served up on the sixth season of HBO’s Hard Knocks, which premieres Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET.
Even if the Jets eventually fall short of their ultimate goal, there are compelling reasons to pay attention to them this season.
• The coach. Rex Ryan has become one of the NFL’s most colorful personalities. He isn’t bashful about being boastful. Other coaches think the same things; they just don’t have the audacity to say them out loud.
"I expected to win every game last year, and that’s the way we’ll go into every game (this year)," Ryan said.
The Jets need Darrelle Revis on the field if they want to live up to the hype.
• The missing piece. Last season, Ryan called cornerback Darrelle Revis the best defensive player in the league, and a lot of folks agreed with him. But Revis is holding out right now—he wants a new contract that will make him the NFL’s highest-paid corner—and it’s uncertain whether his situation will be resolved before the Sept. 13 opener vs. Baltimore.
"We’ll be very good without Darrelle, but he allows us to do things you can’t do without him," safety Jim Leonard said. "He’s huge in this defense. But we’d find our way without him, obviously."
• The new additions. The Jets added some high-profile playmakers in the offseason, including running back LaDainian Tomlinson, wide receiver Santonio Holmes, pass rusher Jason Taylor and cornerback Antonio Cromartie.
• The quarterback. Mark Sanchez, the fifth-overall pick in the ’09 draft, created a lot of buzz as a rookie, but his regular-season numbers (53.8 completion percentage, 12 touchdowns, 20 interceptions) were mediocre. The Jets aren’t a Super Bowl team if Sanchez doesn’t take a big step forward.
"I saw a growth in (the offseason)," wide receiver Braylon Edwards said of Sanchez. "He was finding the spots, he was putting the ball where it needed to be, and he was taking charge."
• The division race. The Patriots always are in playoff contention—they did win the AFC East last year—and the Dolphins should be improved. The Jets must get past those teams first on their way to the Super Bowl.
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.
CORTLAND, N.Y.—You might feel like you’ve had a belly full of the Jets already, but you’ve only sampled the hors d’oeuvres. Get ready for the entrees.
The team that believes it is bound for Super Bowl 45—just ask anyone in green and white; he’ll tell you—will be served up on the sixth season of HBO’s Hard Knocks, which premieres Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET.
Even if the Jets eventually fall short of their ultimate goal, there are compelling reasons to pay attention to them this season.
• The coach. Rex Ryan has become one of the NFL’s most colorful personalities. He isn’t bashful about being boastful. Other coaches think the same things; they just don’t have the audacity to say them out loud.
"I expected to win every game last year, and that’s the way we’ll go into every game (this year)," Ryan said.
The Jets need Darrelle Revis on the field if they want to live up to the hype.
• The missing piece. Last season, Ryan called cornerback Darrelle Revis the best defensive player in the league, and a lot of folks agreed with him. But Revis is holding out right now—he wants a new contract that will make him the NFL’s highest-paid corner—and it’s uncertain whether his situation will be resolved before the Sept. 13 opener vs. Baltimore.
"We’ll be very good without Darrelle, but he allows us to do things you can’t do without him," safety Jim Leonard said. "He’s huge in this defense. But we’d find our way without him, obviously."
• The new additions. The Jets added some high-profile playmakers in the offseason, including running back LaDainian Tomlinson, wide receiver Santonio Holmes, pass rusher Jason Taylor and cornerback Antonio Cromartie.
• The quarterback. Mark Sanchez, the fifth-overall pick in the ’09 draft, created a lot of buzz as a rookie, but his regular-season numbers (53.8 completion percentage, 12 touchdowns, 20 interceptions) were mediocre. The Jets aren’t a Super Bowl team if Sanchez doesn’t take a big step forward.
"I saw a growth in (the offseason)," wide receiver Braylon Edwards said of Sanchez. "He was finding the spots, he was putting the ball where it needed to be, and he was taking charge."
• The division race. The Patriots always are in playoff contention—they did win the AFC East last year—and the Dolphins should be improved. The Jets must get past those teams first on their way to the Super Bowl.
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.
Rex Ryan is the uber-optimist. His glass isn’t half full; it’s spilling over the brim.
So it’s not surprising that Ryan is gushing about his group of wide receivers. In fact, he thinks it could be the most improved unit on a Jets team that advanced to the AFC championship game last season in his first year as coach.
There are plenty of targets for second-year quarterback Mark Sanchez, beginning with starters Braylon Edwards — "I’m expecting a monster year from him," Ryan said — and Super Bowl 43 MVP Santonio Holmes, an offseason acquisition from the Steelers. Then there are Jerricho Cotchery, David Clowney and Brad Smith, who Ryan referred to as "kind of like a Swiss Army knife for us" because of his versatility.
"You look at our wide receiver corps," Ryan said. "That’s about as good as anybody’s in the league."
Here are nine other units that coaches are expecting to step up big in 2010:
Coach Norv Turner would like to see more production from this group. Despite myriad injuries on defense, the Chargers still managed to produce 35 sacks in ’09, but Turner wants the Chargers to turn up the pressure on quarterbacks even more.
"In terms of someone observing us," he said, "I would like to think that when the year is over, they’re going to look at it and say we got a lot better up front on defense."
Falcons secondary
Brent Grimes, Thomas DeCoud, Chris Owens and Chevis Jackson are young players who should have a much better understanding of the Atlanta system in their second or third year. Then you add cornerback Dunta Robinson, a free-agent addition from Houston, and safety William Moore, who missed most of his rookie season last year because of injuries.
No wonder coach Mike Smith and defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder have high expectations.
49ers offensive line
After allowing 150 sacks over the last three seasons, it was obvious the 49ers weren’t getting the job done up front. With their first two draft picks, they selected Rutgers tackle Anthony Davis and Idaho guard Mike Iupati, a couple of players who will turn up the competitive heat, if not start, on the line.
"I really like what I’m seeing there," coach Mike Singletary said.
Lions defensive line
During the offseason, the Lions traded for Corey Williams, signed free agent Kyle Vanden Bosch and drafted Ndamukong Suh with the second overall pick. The return of Jared DeVries, who missed the ’09 season with a torn Achilles’ tendon, plus the continued development of players such as Cliff Avril, Turk McBride and Sammie Hill should also help this unit.
"Just personnel-wise, we’re more settled than we were last year," second-year coach Jim Schwartz said.
Texans running backs
There figures to be plenty of competition at this position. Steve Slaton, who rushed for nearly 1,300 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie in ’08, is hoping to rebound from an ’09 season during which he suffered a neck injury, developed a fumbling problem and ran for only 437 yards. Arian Foster, an undrafted rookie in ’09, turned some heads with his performance in the final two games. Rookie Ben Tate will also be in the mix.
"The group has the potential to be excellent," coach Gary Kubiak said. "But it’s a young group, so you’re worried about consistency, you’re worried about maturity. But if we can find those two things, it has a chance to be the most improved area."
Vikings offensive line
Once considered one of the best O-lines in the league, it has become mediocre the last couple of seasons. If left guard Steve Hutchinson can regain his form coming off of shoulder surgery and right tackle Phil Loadholt and center John Sullivan can take a step forward in their second seasons as starters, this could become a top-10 line again.
This is a young group that is still developing. Cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Brandon Flowers are entering their third seasons. Free safety Eric Berry, expected to be a playmaker in the middle, and strong safety Kendrick Lewis are rookies who could start. Coach Todd Haley believes these players can step up this season.
"I think they’re poised to do it," he said.
Bengals wide receivers
Cincinnati’s wideouts lacked consistency last season. They also didn’t produce enough explosive plays for coach Marvin Lewis’ taste.
"There weren’t enough of them," he said, "and we didn’t make hay when we had them."
So the Bengals added Antonio Bryant and Terrell Owens to a mix that already included Chad Ochocinco. Lewis hopes they can contain their explosiveness to the field — and not let it spill over to the sideline or locker room.
Buccaneers offensive line
It’s one of the biggest lines in the league, but its performance was underwhelming last season. After watching the group during the offseason, coach Raheem Morris thinks it will be much better.
"I look forward to how much they’re going to improve this year," he said.
This story appears in July 30’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only digital sports daily, sign up today.
Rex Ryan is the uber-optimist. His glass isn’t half full; it’s spilling over the brim.
So it’s not surprising that Ryan is gushing about his group of wide receivers. In fact, he thinks it could be the most improved unit on a Jets team that advanced to the AFC championship game last season in his first year as coach.
There are plenty of targets for second-year quarterback Mark Sanchez, beginning with starters Braylon Edwards — "I’m expecting a monster year from him," Ryan said — and Super Bowl 43 MVP Santonio Holmes, an offseason acquisition from the Steelers. Then there are Jerricho Cotchery, David Clowney and Brad Smith, who Ryan referred to as "kind of like a Swiss Army knife for us" because of his versatility.
"You look at our wide receiver corps," Ryan said. "That’s about as good as anybody’s in the league."
Here are nine other units that coaches are expecting to step up big in 2010:
Coach Norv Turner would like to see more production from this group. Despite myriad injuries on defense, the Chargers still managed to produce 35 sacks in ’09, but Turner wants the Chargers to turn up the pressure on quarterbacks even more.
"In terms of someone observing us," he said, "I would like to think that when the year is over, they’re going to look at it and say we got a lot better up front on defense."
Falcons secondary
Brent Grimes, Thomas DeCoud, Chris Owens and Chevis Jackson are young players who should have a much better understanding of the Atlanta system in their second or third year. Then you add cornerback Dunta Robinson, a free-agent addition from Houston, and safety William Moore, who missed most of his rookie season last year because of injuries.
No wonder coach Mike Smith and defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder have high expectations.
49ers offensive line
After allowing 150 sacks over the last three seasons, it was obvious the 49ers weren’t getting the job done up front. With their first two draft picks, they selected Rutgers tackle Anthony Davis and Idaho guard Mike Iupati, a couple of players who will turn up the competitive heat, if not start, on the line.
"I really like what I’m seeing there," coach Mike Singletary said.
Lions defensive line
During the offseason, the Lions traded for Corey Williams, signed free agent Kyle Vanden Bosch and drafted Ndamukong Suh with the second overall pick. The return of Jared DeVries, who missed the ’09 season with a torn Achilles’ tendon, plus the continued development of players such as Cliff Avril, Turk McBride and Sammie Hill should also help this unit.
"Just personnel-wise, we’re more settled than we were last year," second-year coach Jim Schwartz said.
Texans running backs
There figures to be plenty of competition at this position. Steve Slaton, who rushed for nearly 1,300 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie in ’08, is hoping to rebound from an ’09 season during which he suffered a neck injury, developed a fumbling problem and ran for only 437 yards. Arian Foster, an undrafted rookie in ’09, turned some heads with his performance in the final two games. Rookie Ben Tate will also be in the mix.
"The group has the potential to be excellent," coach Gary Kubiak said. "But it’s a young group, so you’re worried about consistency, you’re worried about maturity. But if we can find those two things, it has a chance to be the most improved area."
Vikings offensive line
Once considered one of the best O-lines in the league, it has become mediocre the last couple of seasons. If left guard Steve Hutchinson can regain his form coming off of shoulder surgery and right tackle Phil Loadholt and center John Sullivan can take a step forward in their second seasons as starters, this could become a top-10 line again.
This is a young group that is still developing. Cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Brandon Flowers are entering their third seasons. Free safety Eric Berry, expected to be a playmaker in the middle, and strong safety Kendrick Lewis are rookies who could start. Coach Todd Haley believes these players can step up this season.
"I think they’re poised to do it," he said.
Bengals wide receivers
Cincinnati’s wideouts lacked consistency last season. They also didn’t produce enough explosive plays for coach Marvin Lewis’ taste.
"There weren’t enough of them," he said, "and we didn’t make hay when we had them."
So the Bengals added Antonio Bryant and Terrell Owens to a mix that already included Chad Ochocinco. Lewis hopes they can contain their explosiveness to the field — and not let it spill over to the sideline or locker room.
Buccaneers offensive line
It’s one of the biggest lines in the league, but its performance was underwhelming last season. After watching the group during the offseason, coach Raheem Morris thinks it will be much better.
"I look forward to how much they’re going to improve this year," he said.
This story appears in July 30’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only digital sports daily, sign up today.
The Falcons allowed an alarming 55 explosive passing plays (20 yards or more) last season — including eight for touchdowns, according to STATS, Inc. — which partly explains why Atlanta slipped from an 11-5 playoff team in ’08 to a 9-7 also-ran in ’09.
Tedd Ginn enters his fourth NFL season with the 49ers after spending three years in Miami.
Falcons officials say the addition of Dunta Robinson, a physical cornerback who played his first six NFL seasons in Houston, will help them rebound in ’10.
"Dunta has been a very effective corner in this league," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "He’s a guy who has played both left and right corner as well as what we call ‘matchup corner,’ who goes and matches a specific receiver (all over the field). And he’s a guy who has played nickel and lined up as a slot receiver as well.
"That skill set allows us to have a lot of flexibility in what (defensive coordinator) Brian VanGorder and his staff want to do in terms of trying to shore up the defense’s deficiencies from 2009."
A look at nine other players who should make big impacts on their new teams in ’10:
Anquan Boldin, WR, Ravens. After playing second fiddle to Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona, Boldin is expected to be the No. 1 man in a revamped receiving corps that also includes Donte’ Stallworth.
"(Boldin) fits right in as a Raven," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "He plays smart, tough and with physicality."
Ted Ginn, WR, 49ers. A ’07 first-round pick of the Dolphins, Ginn was a bust in Miami as a receiver/returner. Once the Dolphins acquired Brandon Marshall, they were willing to trade Ginn for a fifth-round draft pick. Niners coach Mike Singletary says Ginn can add something to the team’s receiving corps.
"He can help our offense significantly by just continuing to perfect his skills and really work at the craft of being a wideout and not just a special teams guy," Singletary said.
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Bengals. Although Gresham missed the ’09 season at Oklahoma with a knee injury, Bengals coaches proclaimed him their starting tight end as soon as they selected him with the 21st pick in April’s draft.
"He has special abilities," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "He’s big, he’s fast, he’s strong, he catches the ball with strong hands and he likes contact. So he has all the things you’re looking for."
Thomas Jones, RB, Chiefs. Running backs are supposed to decline once they turn 30. Since he hit that mark, Jones has had back-to-back seasons of 1,312 and 1,402 yards rushing. Despite that production, the Jets allowed Jones to skate away in the offseason.
"He had a great year last year, and I think he’s playing with a chip on this shoulder," Chiefs coach Todd Haley said. "He wants to come in and get something done."
Gerald McCoy, DT, Bucs. Tampa Bay took McCoy, another former Oklahoma standout, with the third-overall pick in the draft because they believe the 3-technique tackle can be the linchpin of the defense.
"He has the ability to come in and lead the defense and help us get back to the dominance we have shown in the past," Bucs coach Raheem Morris said. "He is the type of player where teams really have to focus on him and game-plan around him."
Brodney Pool, S, Jets. Coach Rex Ryan says Pool, a former Browns player, has a chance to win the free safety spot, left open when Kerry Rhodes was traded to Arizona, and join arguably the best secondary in the league.
"He’ll be out there with the No. 1 defense in football and starting, so I think he’s going to be a major contributor," Ryan said. "This guy has a lot of ability in the back end, and I think he’s going to make a lot of plays for us."
Fred Robbins, DT, Rams. Although Robbins is 33 and heading into his 11th season, Rams coaches say he still can make plays. If the season opened tomorrow, in fact, he would be a starter. Coach Steve Spagnuolo also likes the leadership Robbins brings to a young Rams roster.
Patrick Robinson, CB, Saints. Although Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter formed a solid cornerback tandem last season, the Super Bowl champions struggled a bit when Greer missed seven games with a sports hernia and Porter was sidelined for four games with a sprained knee. Feeling you can never have too much depth in the secondary, the Saints selected Robinson with the final pick in the first round.
"I like the fact that he can run, and I like his size," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "He’s got good ball skills and has good range."
Lito Sheppard, CB, Vikings. With Cedric Griffin (torn ACL) expected to miss the start of training camp, this former Eagles cornerback will compete for the spot opposite Antoine Winfield.
"I’m happy to have Lito as part of the equation," Vikings coach Brad Childress said. "Lito has been around, and he has a chance to make an impact."
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.
The Falcons allowed an alarming 55 explosive passing plays (20 yards or more) last season — including eight for touchdowns, according to STATS, Inc. — which partly explains why Atlanta slipped from an 11-5 playoff team in ’08 to a 9-7 also-ran in ’09.
Tedd Ginn enters his fourth NFL season with the 49ers after spending three years in Miami.
Falcons officials say the addition of Dunta Robinson, a physical cornerback who played his first six NFL seasons in Houston, will help them rebound in ’10.
"Dunta has been a very effective corner in this league," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "He’s a guy who has played both left and right corner as well as what we call ‘matchup corner,’ who goes and matches a specific receiver (all over the field). And he’s a guy who has played nickel and lined up as a slot receiver as well.
"That skill set allows us to have a lot of flexibility in what (defensive coordinator) Brian VanGorder and his staff want to do in terms of trying to shore up the defense’s deficiencies from 2009."
A look at nine other players who should make big impacts on their new teams in ’10:
Anquan Boldin, WR, Ravens. After playing second fiddle to Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona, Boldin is expected to be the No. 1 man in a revamped receiving corps that also includes Donte’ Stallworth.
"(Boldin) fits right in as a Raven," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "He plays smart, tough and with physicality."
Ted Ginn, WR, 49ers. A ’07 first-round pick of the Dolphins, Ginn was a bust in Miami as a receiver/returner. Once the Dolphins acquired Brandon Marshall, they were willing to trade Ginn for a fifth-round draft pick. Niners coach Mike Singletary says Ginn can add something to the team’s receiving corps.
"He can help our offense significantly by just continuing to perfect his skills and really work at the craft of being a wideout and not just a special teams guy," Singletary said.
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Bengals. Although Gresham missed the ’09 season at Oklahoma with a knee injury, Bengals coaches proclaimed him their starting tight end as soon as they selected him with the 21st pick in April’s draft.
"He has special abilities," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "He’s big, he’s fast, he’s strong, he catches the ball with strong hands and he likes contact. So he has all the things you’re looking for."
Thomas Jones, RB, Chiefs. Running backs are supposed to decline once they turn 30. Since he hit that mark, Jones has had back-to-back seasons of 1,312 and 1,402 yards rushing. Despite that production, the Jets allowed Jones to skate away in the offseason.
"He had a great year last year, and I think he’s playing with a chip on this shoulder," Chiefs coach Todd Haley said. "He wants to come in and get something done."
Gerald McCoy, DT, Bucs. Tampa Bay took McCoy, another former Oklahoma standout, with the third-overall pick in the draft because they believe the 3-technique tackle can be the linchpin of the defense.
"He has the ability to come in and lead the defense and help us get back to the dominance we have shown in the past," Bucs coach Raheem Morris said. "He is the type of player where teams really have to focus on him and game-plan around him."
Brodney Pool, S, Jets. Coach Rex Ryan says Pool, a former Browns player, has a chance to win the free safety spot, left open when Kerry Rhodes was traded to Arizona, and join arguably the best secondary in the league.
"He’ll be out there with the No. 1 defense in football and starting, so I think he’s going to be a major contributor," Ryan said. "This guy has a lot of ability in the back end, and I think he’s going to make a lot of plays for us."
Fred Robbins, DT, Rams. Although Robbins is 33 and heading into his 11th season, Rams coaches say he still can make plays. If the season opened tomorrow, in fact, he would be a starter. Coach Steve Spagnuolo also likes the leadership Robbins brings to a young Rams roster.
Patrick Robinson, CB, Saints. Although Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter formed a solid cornerback tandem last season, the Super Bowl champions struggled a bit when Greer missed seven games with a sports hernia and Porter was sidelined for four games with a sprained knee. Feeling you can never have too much depth in the secondary, the Saints selected Robinson with the final pick in the first round.
"I like the fact that he can run, and I like his size," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "He’s got good ball skills and has good range."
Lito Sheppard, CB, Vikings. With Cedric Griffin (torn ACL) expected to miss the start of training camp, this former Eagles cornerback will compete for the spot opposite Antoine Winfield.
"I’m happy to have Lito as part of the equation," Vikings coach Brad Childress said. "Lito has been around, and he has a chance to make an impact."
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.
The Rams will go into training camp with one of the youngest and least experienced corps of wide receivers — unless they sign a veteran, such as Terrell Owens.
ESPN.com reported on Saturday that the Rams have intensified discussions about Owens, who has been on the market since the start of free agency in March. How serious are they about signing Owens?
"Next question," GM Billy Devaney told Sporting News, parroting a reply that Drew Rosenhaus, Owens’ agent, made famous.
"We’ve been looking at a lot of guys, like everybody does, at different positions as we head into training camp, and Owens is one of those guys. I don’t want to get too deep into it, but sure; I think he’s on a lot of people’s radar."
Owens, 36, is sixth in NFL history in receptions (1,006), third in receiving yards (14,930) and fifth in touchdowns (147). He has played a total of 14 seasons, for the 49ers, Eagles, Cowboys and Bills. He caught 55 passes for 829 yards and five TDs last year, his only season with the Bills.
Laurent Robinson, a fourth-year player who missed most of the ’09 season with an injury, is the most experienced receiver on the Rams roster. Of the other nine, three are going into their third seasons, three are going into their second seasons and three are rookies.
The ESPN story said the Bengals also are interested in Owens.
Rosenhaus could not be reached for comment.
The Rams will go into training camp with one of the youngest and least experienced corps of wide receivers — unless they sign a veteran, such as Terrell Owens.
ESPN.com reported on Saturday that the Rams have intensified discussions about Owens, who has been on the market since the start of free agency in March. How serious are they about signing Owens?
"Next question," GM Billy Devaney told Sporting News, parroting a reply that Drew Rosenhaus, Owens’ agent, made famous.
"We’ve been looking at a lot of guys, like everybody does, at different positions as we head into training camp, and Owens is one of those guys. I don’t want to get too deep into it, but sure; I think he’s on a lot of people’s radar."
Owens, 36, is sixth in NFL history in receptions (1,006), third in receiving yards (14,930) and fifth in touchdowns (147). He has played a total of 14 seasons, for the 49ers, Eagles, Cowboys and Bills. He caught 55 passes for 829 yards and five TDs last year, his only season with the Bills.
Laurent Robinson, a fourth-year player who missed most of the ’09 season with an injury, is the most experienced receiver on the Rams roster. Of the other nine, three are going into their third seasons, three are going into their second seasons and three are rookies.
The ESPN story said the Bengals also are interested in Owens.
Rosenhaus could not be reached for comment.
Nothing adds intrigue to an NFL training camp more than a good position battle. Here are 10 competitions to follow when camps open later this month, according to a Sporting News survey of head coaches:
Running back Steve Slaton only played in 11 games for the Texans last season.
Buccaneers: wide receiver. It’s expected to be a wide-open race, with veterans Michael Clayton and Reggie Brown the leading candidates to win starting jobs. Coach Raheem Morris wants some veterans on the field helping out second-year quarterback Josh Freeman.
But the Bucs have high hopes for rookies Mike Williams, the team’s most impressive wideout during the offseason, and Arrelious Benn. Second-year wideout Sammie Stroughter is expected to be the slot receiver.
"We have so much competition at that spot, between a bunch of young guys with fresh legs and our veterans," Morris said. "I think the competition is going to be at an all-time high there."
Falcons: starting cornerback opposite Dunta Robinson. Brent Grimes (eight starts, six interceptions last season) and Christopher Owens (six starts, two interceptions) will go one-on-one to see who pairs up with Robinson, an offseason addition from Houston. "It will be the one (battle) most people will be watching," coach Mike Smith said. "It was a very good battle in OTAs, and I think it will continue on into the preseason."
Texans: running back. This has been somewhat of an unsettled position, with Steve Slaton in 2008 being the team’s only back to rush for more than 1,000 yards in the last five years. As a team, the Texans averaged only 92.2 rushing yards per game (30th in the league) last season.
"We’re going young," coach Gary Kubiak said. "I think how far Arian (Foster) comes, Steve (Slaton) coming back, how quick (rookie Ben) Tate becomes a dang good player is probably the key to our offensive team."
Chargers: right offensive tackle. Jeromey Clary had been the starter since late in the ’07 season before he suffered an ankle injury last season. Brandyn Dombrowski stepped in for the final six games.
"Those two guys battling it out at right tackle will probably be the No. 1 spot," coach Norv Turner said. "There’s going to be great competition."
Kansas City’s Jamaal Charles rushed for 1,120 yards and seven touchdowns in 2009.
Vikings: starting cornerback opposite Antoine Winfield. Cedric Griffin, who suffered a torn ACL while covering the overtime kickoff in the NFC championship game, won’t be ready when camp opens. That will open the door for Asher Allen, Benny Sapp, rookie Chris Cook and offseason acquisition Lito Sheppard to battle it out.
Saints: strongside linebacker. Youngsters Stanley Arnoux and Jonathan Casillas are expected to push veteran offseason pickup Clint Ingram for the spot that opened when Scott Fujita went to Cleveland as a free agent. Arnoux and Casillas were impressive late in the team’s Super Bowl season. Both players can run, so they add the element of speed.
Packers: punter. Green Bay has struggled in this area for the last two seasons. Jeremy Kapinos was cut during the offseason after compiling a 34.1-yard net average (25th in the league) and putting only 15 punts inside the 20 (32nd) in ’09. Former Australian rules football player Chris "Bear" Bryan and Tim Masthay, neither of whom has played in an NFL game, will battle for the punting job.
"We have two men in here I’m excited about," coach Mike McCarthy said. "That’s the one position I think can really help improve our special teams."
Chiefs: running back. Thomas Jones will turn 32 in August but is coming off seasons in which he rushed for 1,312 and 1,402 yards for the Jets. Jamaal Charles, 23, broke out when he became the team’s feature back in the second half of last season. They figure to share most of the rushing load in coach Todd Haley’s second season, but there are several other players who will try to get into the mix.
That group includes Kolby Smith, rookie Dexter McCluster, Jackie Battle and Kestahn Moore, who was picked up late in the season. "Between Charles, Jones, McCluster and however all this plays out," Haley said, "we ought to have a pretty talented backfield."
Jets: left guard. The release of nine-time Pro Bowl lineman Alan Faneca, who eventually signed with Arizona, left a big hole in a line that had been intact for two years and helped the Jets lead the league in rushing last season. Second-year lineman Matt Slauson and rookie Vladimir Ducasse, who played tackle at Massachusetts, will compete for Faneca’s old spot.
"The battle between Matt Slauson and Vladimir Ducasse will be one to watch," coach Rex Ryan said.
Bengals: nickel cornerback. With former first-round picks Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall entrenched as the starters, the battle will be for the No. 3 and No. 4 spots. David Jones and Morgan Trent played those roles last season, but now they face stiff competition from rookie Brandon Ghee and Adam Jones.
The team won’t keep six corners. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has said it’s possible that cornerbacks who played last year might not make the roster because of the improved depth.
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.
Nothing adds intrigue to an NFL training camp more than a good position battle. Here are 10 competitions to follow when camps open later this month, according to a Sporting News survey of head coaches:
Running back Steve Slaton only played in 11 games for the Texans last season.
Buccaneers: wide receiver. It’s expected to be a wide-open race, with veterans Michael Clayton and Reggie Brown the leading candidates to win starting jobs. Coach Raheem Morris wants some veterans on the field helping out second-year quarterback Josh Freeman.
But the Bucs have high hopes for rookies Mike Williams, the team’s most impressive wideout during the offseason, and Arrelious Benn. Second-year wideout Sammie Stroughter is expected to be the slot receiver.
"We have so much competition at that spot, between a bunch of young guys with fresh legs and our veterans," Morris said. "I think the competition is going to be at an all-time high there."
Falcons: starting cornerback opposite Dunta Robinson. Brent Grimes (eight starts, six interceptions last season) and Christopher Owens (six starts, two interceptions) will go one-on-one to see who pairs up with Robinson, an offseason addition from Houston. "It will be the one (battle) most people will be watching," coach Mike Smith said. "It was a very good battle in OTAs, and I think it will continue on into the preseason."
Texans: running back. This has been somewhat of an unsettled position, with Steve Slaton in 2008 being the team’s only back to rush for more than 1,000 yards in the last five years. As a team, the Texans averaged only 92.2 rushing yards per game (30th in the league) last season.
"We’re going young," coach Gary Kubiak said. "I think how far Arian (Foster) comes, Steve (Slaton) coming back, how quick (rookie Ben) Tate becomes a dang good player is probably the key to our offensive team."
Chargers: right offensive tackle. Jeromey Clary had been the starter since late in the ’07 season before he suffered an ankle injury last season. Brandyn Dombrowski stepped in for the final six games.
"Those two guys battling it out at right tackle will probably be the No. 1 spot," coach Norv Turner said. "There’s going to be great competition."
Kansas City’s Jamaal Charles rushed for 1,120 yards and seven touchdowns in 2009.
Vikings: starting cornerback opposite Antoine Winfield. Cedric Griffin, who suffered a torn ACL while covering the overtime kickoff in the NFC championship game, won’t be ready when camp opens. That will open the door for Asher Allen, Benny Sapp, rookie Chris Cook and offseason acquisition Lito Sheppard to battle it out.
Saints: strongside linebacker. Youngsters Stanley Arnoux and Jonathan Casillas are expected to push veteran offseason pickup Clint Ingram for the spot that opened when Scott Fujita went to Cleveland as a free agent. Arnoux and Casillas were impressive late in the team’s Super Bowl season. Both players can run, so they add the element of speed.
Packers: punter. Green Bay has struggled in this area for the last two seasons. Jeremy Kapinos was cut during the offseason after compiling a 34.1-yard net average (25th in the league) and putting only 15 punts inside the 20 (32nd) in ’09. Former Australian rules football player Chris "Bear" Bryan and Tim Masthay, neither of whom has played in an NFL game, will battle for the punting job.
"We have two men in here I’m excited about," coach Mike McCarthy said. "That’s the one position I think can really help improve our special teams."
Chiefs: running back. Thomas Jones will turn 32 in August but is coming off seasons in which he rushed for 1,312 and 1,402 yards for the Jets. Jamaal Charles, 23, broke out when he became the team’s feature back in the second half of last season. They figure to share most of the rushing load in coach Todd Haley’s second season, but there are several other players who will try to get into the mix.
That group includes Kolby Smith, rookie Dexter McCluster, Jackie Battle and Kestahn Moore, who was picked up late in the season. "Between Charles, Jones, McCluster and however all this plays out," Haley said, "we ought to have a pretty talented backfield."
Jets: left guard. The release of nine-time Pro Bowl lineman Alan Faneca, who eventually signed with Arizona, left a big hole in a line that had been intact for two years and helped the Jets lead the league in rushing last season. Second-year lineman Matt Slauson and rookie Vladimir Ducasse, who played tackle at Massachusetts, will compete for Faneca’s old spot.
"The battle between Matt Slauson and Vladimir Ducasse will be one to watch," coach Rex Ryan said.
Bengals: nickel cornerback. With former first-round picks Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall entrenched as the starters, the battle will be for the No. 3 and No. 4 spots. David Jones and Morgan Trent played those roles last season, but now they face stiff competition from rookie Brandon Ghee and Adam Jones.
The team won’t keep six corners. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has said it’s possible that cornerbacks who played last year might not make the roster because of the improved depth.
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.
RENTON, Wash. — It was a simple zone running play. Jets running back Leon Washington took the handoff and got held up in traffic. Then Raiders defensive tackle Tommy Kelly fell across the back of his right leg, and Washington’s world suddenly became complicated.
Leon Washington’s broken leg is nearly fully healed, but he’s being held out of team drills this week as a precaution.
He heard a pop and thought he had torn his ACL. But when he felt his leg dangling, he suspected he had broken his leg — a diagnosis doctors confirmed in the X-ray room at the Oakland Coliseum last Oct. 25.
"You think about a broken leg and you automatically think about Joe Theismann," Washington said, referring to the former Redskins quarterback whose NFL career ended during a 1985 Monday night game when a sack by Lawrence Taylor resulted in a grotesque compound leg fracture.
Washington suffered a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula. He was rushed to a hospital, where a metal rod was inserted in his leg during surgery that ended about the same time the Jets-Raiders game did. Then he began the long rehab process.
Washington’s story took another twist on April 24, the final day of the NFL draft, when the Jets traded him to Seattle. So in addition to trying to come back from a career-threatening injury, Washington now finds himself three time zones from New York on a new team and in a new conference.
"The positive out of this is I had a chance to sit back and look at football from a different perspective," Washington said Wednesday after the Seahawks concluded a two-day minicamp that wrapped up their offseason. "How fortunate we are to play this game. It’s my fifth year, and I feel like I was just a rookie a few days ago. That’s how fast it goes.
"Also, I feel like I’m in better shape than I’ve ever been in, because I’ve been in a training mode since last October."
Washington’s rehab here has included lifting weights, pushing sleds and running up and down the 45-degree hill that borders the Seahawks’ practice field. Sometimes, he has placed cones on the hill and cut side to side.
Washington caught the attention of Seahawks coach Pete Carroll last season when Carroll watched Mark Sanchez, his former quarterback at USC, play for the Jets.
"I love the way he plays the game," Carroll said of Washington. "I got to see him and thought he was a dynamic player—running, catching, returns. If he’s able to add to our offense, I think that’s a big plus for us."
Although he is only 5-8, Washington is a multiple threat with the ball in his hands. He was selected to the Pro Bowl as a kick returner in 2008, his third year in the NFL, and led the league in combined yards (2,332) that season.
"Like all good running backs in this league, he can make the first guy miss," CBS analyst Solomon Wilcots said. "He’s been great on special teams and catching the ball out of the backfield, running screens and quick flare-outs. That’s kind of what you want. You don’t really want to use him as an inside runner."
The Seahawks likely will use Washington as a third-down back early this season, then gradually integrate him into the running game with Julius Jones, Justin Forsett and Quinton Ganther. Washington believes he can be a big contributor if he’s utilized right.
"I don’t see myself carrying the ball 30 times a game," he said, "but give me 12 to 15 carries and eight or nine catches, and I can have the same production as a lead back."
With both Jones (renewing his wedding vows) and Forsett (on his honeymoon) missing from this week’s minicamp, it would have been an opportune time for Washington to get some work. But even though X-rays on Tuesday showed his leg has just about completely healed, he was held out of team work and participated only in individual drills.
The Seahawks likely will continue to take a cautious approach with Washington when training camp opens on July 31. "My time will come," Washington said. "And when I get the opportunity, I’ll take advantage of it."
Running game will stay in committee
The Seahawks don’t have a prototypical feature back on their current roster. Unless they trade for one — say, Marshawn Lynch —they’ll operate with a running backs by committee approach in 2010. "We played a lot of running backs the last nine years (at USC)," Seahawks first-year coach Pete Carroll said. "I have no problem with mixing guys and going with who’s hot."
These players could comprise the committee:
Julius Jones. The former Cowboy needs to step up his performance after two mostly disappointing seasons in Seattle.
Justin Forsett. He rushed for 619 yards and four TDs last season—impressive for a former seventh-round draft pick.
Quinton Ganther. Maybe reuniting with running backs coach Sherman Smith, who coached Ganther in Tennessee and Washington, will light a fire for Ganther.
Leon Washington. If he is fully recovered from a broken leg, Washington can be a multi-dimensional back.
Louis Rankin. He has good size (6-1, 205) but not much experience.
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.
RENTON, Wash. — It was a simple zone running play. Jets running back Leon Washington took the handoff and got held up in traffic. Then Raiders defensive tackle Tommy Kelly fell across the back of his right leg, and Washington’s world suddenly became complicated.
Leon Washington’s broken leg is nearly fully healed, but he’s being held out of team drills this week as a precaution.
He heard a pop and thought he had torn his ACL. But when he felt his leg dangling, he suspected he had broken his leg — a diagnosis doctors confirmed in the X-ray room at the Oakland Coliseum last Oct. 25.
"You think about a broken leg and you automatically think about Joe Theismann," Washington said, referring to the former Redskins quarterback whose NFL career ended during a 1985 Monday night game when a sack by Lawrence Taylor resulted in a grotesque compound leg fracture.
Washington suffered a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula. He was rushed to a hospital, where a metal rod was inserted in his leg during surgery that ended about the same time the Jets-Raiders game did. Then he began the long rehab process.
Washington’s story took another twist on April 24, the final day of the NFL draft, when the Jets traded him to Seattle. So in addition to trying to come back from a career-threatening injury, Washington now finds himself three time zones from New York on a new team and in a new conference.
"The positive out of this is I had a chance to sit back and look at football from a different perspective," Washington said Wednesday after the Seahawks concluded a two-day minicamp that wrapped up their offseason. "How fortunate we are to play this game. It’s my fifth year, and I feel like I was just a rookie a few days ago. That’s how fast it goes.
"Also, I feel like I’m in better shape than I’ve ever been in, because I’ve been in a training mode since last October."
Washington’s rehab here has included lifting weights, pushing sleds and running up and down the 45-degree hill that borders the Seahawks’ practice field. Sometimes, he has placed cones on the hill and cut side to side.
Washington caught the attention of Seahawks coach Pete Carroll last season when Carroll watched Mark Sanchez, his former quarterback at USC, play for the Jets.
"I love the way he plays the game," Carroll said of Washington. "I got to see him and thought he was a dynamic player—running, catching, returns. If he’s able to add to our offense, I think that’s a big plus for us."
Although he is only 5-8, Washington is a multiple threat with the ball in his hands. He was selected to the Pro Bowl as a kick returner in 2008, his third year in the NFL, and led the league in combined yards (2,332) that season.
"Like all good running backs in this league, he can make the first guy miss," CBS analyst Solomon Wilcots said. "He’s been great on special teams and catching the ball out of the backfield, running screens and quick flare-outs. That’s kind of what you want. You don’t really want to use him as an inside runner."
The Seahawks likely will use Washington as a third-down back early this season, then gradually integrate him into the running game with Julius Jones, Justin Forsett and Quinton Ganther. Washington believes he can be a big contributor if he’s utilized right.
"I don’t see myself carrying the ball 30 times a game," he said, "but give me 12 to 15 carries and eight or nine catches, and I can have the same production as a lead back."
With both Jones (renewing his wedding vows) and Forsett (on his honeymoon) missing from this week’s minicamp, it would have been an opportune time for Washington to get some work. But even though X-rays on Tuesday showed his leg has just about completely healed, he was held out of team work and participated only in individual drills.
The Seahawks likely will continue to take a cautious approach with Washington when training camp opens on July 31. "My time will come," Washington said. "And when I get the opportunity, I’ll take advantage of it."
Running game will stay in committee
The Seahawks don’t have a prototypical feature back on their current roster. Unless they trade for one — say, Marshawn Lynch —they’ll operate with a running backs by committee approach in 2010. "We played a lot of running backs the last nine years (at USC)," Seahawks first-year coach Pete Carroll said. "I have no problem with mixing guys and going with who’s hot."
These players could comprise the committee:
Julius Jones. The former Cowboy needs to step up his performance after two mostly disappointing seasons in Seattle.
Justin Forsett. He rushed for 619 yards and four TDs last season—impressive for a former seventh-round draft pick.
Quinton Ganther. Maybe reuniting with running backs coach Sherman Smith, who coached Ganther in Tennessee and Washington, will light a fire for Ganther.
Leon Washington. If he is fully recovered from a broken leg, Washington can be a multi-dimensional back.
Louis Rankin. He has good size (6-1, 205) but not much experience.
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.
