|
|
|
At long last, football is back. We've got you covered today with live coverage on NFL Network until 11 p.m. ET. On NFL.com, we'll be featuring highlights from the television coverage and notes from our reporters in the field. Here are today's whispers. Twenty-two teams are in camp today in some capacity (some teams with full rosters, others with only rookies). It's the first day of camp for the , , , , , and , and the veteran reporting day for the , , , and . Check NFL Media's Rand Getlin reported that the and LB are making progre s in talks about a new deal. Getlin added that the contract situation with the and LB will likely influence the David talks in Tampa Bay. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport told Rhett Lewis about the feelings in ' camp after the news that safety . Berry was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma last December and mi sed the season's final five games. Rapoport said that a official described Berry's quick return as "a gift from God ... something that nobody expected." Read . Veterans report to ' camp today in preparation for a full practice Thursday. of 's 4-game suspension Tuesday, Rapoport gave Lewis a feel for the team's training camp and preseason plans. " will be at practice ... He will likely take snaps in the preseason games as he has done over the years," Rapoport said. "But still, there is now an element of having to get ready to play." coach Bill Belichick was asked about Garoppolo Tuesday morning but would not comment specifically on the second-year quarterback. "Training camp is where everybody gets reps. We evaluate the entire team," he said in response to a question about how he would divide reps between Brady and Garoppolo. Safety also weighed in, describing how Garoppolo "hangs on Joel Kiviranta Jersey every word and everything that Tom does, you see him try to emulate that and do that." NFL Media's Charley Ca serly compared the ' current situation to 2008, when Brady went down with a torn ACL in Week 1 and l stepped in. Though Ca sell, who in Week 2 started his first game since high school, led the to an 11-5 record, the team mi sed the playoffs. "As I remember, they started off running the Brady offense. They immediately got into the Ca sel offense, which was more conservative," Ca serly said. "Then by the end of the year they were more open again ... I think they will adapt to what Garoppolo can do best on his throws and then work from there." Ca serly later added that even if Brady does sit out four games, he's still picking the Pats: "There isn't a team in the division that can beat the with Brady (playing) 12 games." The begin camp Thursday, but Rapoport reported that they may be without safety , who according to sources. With the in Florham Park, New Jersey, NFL Media's Kimberly Jones reported that the team took its first conditioning test of camp this morning. "Significantly but not surprisingly, is here," Jones said, referencing the star defensive end and his tense contract situation. "Wilkerson is always important to the but particularly important given that (DE) will be suspended for the first four games of the season." Per Jones, QB met the media and appears "very confident." Jones added: "It seems to me that he now realizes, frankly, what it means to be a starting quarterback in this league, what it means to be a franchise quarterback ... He's looking to instill that confidence in his teammates. That's a new feel for ." Ca serly also weighed in on Geno, e sentially labeling the upcoming campaign a make-or-break season for the third-year QB. "Is this a crucial year for him? Absolutely, it's a crucial year for him." Smith himself addre sed the doubters, telling reporters that he laughed when he saw a ranking that had him dead last among starting QBs. "It's hilarious," Smith said. After meeting the media yesterday, led linebacker drills this morning in Glendale. Albert Breer with the in Richmond, Va. and the obligatory check-in: "He's made a lot of progre s over the offseason, and he does carry some momentum into camp," Breer said, citing Griffin's work to improve in the pocket, keep his eyes downfield, and stay under control during busted plays. The NFL Network's roundtable continued the conversation. Jamie Dukes: "To me, he's not a pure drop-back pa ser. He's an athlete quarterback who needs to play both inside the pocket and outside the pocket." Heath Evans: "I'm not sure people thought his awarene s in space would be as bad as it is. There's been a lot of times when he's really struggled to get down ... our game is about evolving. This guy's rookie year was special ... But this league catches up to you." A big 'Skins story broke Wednesday afternoon: -- who had 13.5 sacks last year -- to a multi-year extension. :The deal is 5 years at $11.5 M per year with a $16 M signing bonus. Breer added an interesting tidbit about management and coaching additions in Washington. "The other big story here is new the faces, in particular Scot McCLoughan and Bill Callahan, the new offensive line coach and general manager, (who are) bringing a new physicality to the team." Brian Baldinger is in Latrobe, Pa. with the , a group that got good news yesterday when RB . Baldinger reported that the mood is focused. "There's not a lot of hooplah here in Latrobe surrounding the reduction," he said. Harrison also told Baldinger that the ' defense is moving along without longtime coordinator Dick LeBeau, who left for the during the offseason. "It's not really a big chaange. Different tweaks here and there but all around it's not really a big change," Harrisn said. "Coach LeBeau is not here but Keith Butler has been here (for 10 years) ... so it's a voice we're used to hearing." Baldinger added that the ' offense has the potential to be as high flying as QB suggested when he said he wants to score 30 points a game. "There are enough weapons here to do what spoke about," Baldinger said. Dolphin fans were euphoric last week . More good news today: the are in camp in Davie. In one move of note, the team , meaning Parker's foot has still not completely healed from surgery last month. the team expects Parker to be ready for Week 1. The once again will train in Oxnard, Calif. this year, and owner/GM Jerry Jones remarked that he was happy to be in camp coming off a strong season. "It's not like we have to tell these guys about 1992" he joked. Desmond Purnell has made the trip from Dallas to Oxnard, and he discu sed the return of LB with NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano. "Having back, (he is) a guy that has the ability to make plays. He led the team in interceptions two seasons ago. If he can stay healthy he definitely gives this defense a pick me up," Purnell said. He confirmed, though, that DE is a currently camp holdout due to a contract dispute. Purnell said a prolonged Mincy absence could force second-round pick into significant early action. The don't begin until Saturday, merits early coverage. As our own Dan Hanzus put it: " works out with death machine." That's it for the July 29th edition of 'whispers.' Check back Thursday as nine teams begin camp and teams like the hold opening practices. We'll join nine hours of live coverage on * NFL Network * kicking off at 9 a.m. ET. The latest Podcast and 's comeback. Claude Lemieux Jersey |
|
发表于