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NFL rookies who'll shine and stink Chris Wesseling details the rookies who will have an instant impact this season, and the rookies who won't, like Broncos QB Tim Tebow. NBCSports.com |
We detail the key moves and roster spot battles, as all 32 NFL teams enter training camp.
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys
1. Big-name wideouts on notice. Combined with last season's emergence of Miles Austin, the Cowboys' trade up for Dez Bryant means that Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton will have to stand out to secure roster spots. Williams was among the NFL's least efficient pass catchers in 2009, while Crayton has lost his punt return job to Bryant and is owed $2 million in salary. Even more overpaid, Williams is due $3.45 million.
2. There's a new left tackle. Gone is blindside stalwart Flozell Adams, replaced by first-year starter Doug Free. Offseason reports of Dallas' interest in Jammal Brown, ultimately traded to division rival Washington, may hint that the Cowboys aren't as smitten with Free as they've let on publicly. They also traded for former first-round pick Alex Barron in May.
3. Defensive question marks in secondary. 25-year-old free safety Alan Ball is a starter for the first time in his pro career, while 23-year-old nickel back Orlando Scandrick missed much of OTA season with a shattered left index finger. Scandrick is also coming off a poor season. He could be challenged for playing time by talented rookie Akwasi Owusu-Ansah.
New York Giants
1. The Giants are finally healthy. Running backs Brandon Jacobs (knee) and Ahmad Bradshaw (feet, ankle) return from successful offseason surgeries after injury-plagued seasons. Pricey 2009 free agent acquisitions Chris Canty, a defensive tackle, and Michael Boley, a weak-side linebacker, are also back to 100 percent. The team could get a real boost in the secondary if strong safety Kenny Phillips recovers from microfracture knee surgery in time for Opening Day.
2. Camp battles at middle linebacker and offensive line. Jonathan Goff is the early favorite to replace now-retired Antonio Pierce in the middle, but must hold off thumping rookie Phillip Dillard. Talented left tackle William Beatty is being given a chance to unseat incumbent David Diehl, who would likely kick inside to guard if Beatty proves ready to start. Rich Seubert, a liability at left guard last season, would then move to the bench.
3. Eli's receiver corps is ready to explode. While possession man Steve Smith got more headlines with an NFC-high 107 catches last year, 2009 first-round pick Hakeem Nicks was the Giants' most effective wideout on a per-snap basis. Nicks had to fight through injuries, but led the team in yards after catch, yards per reception, and efficiency. Fellow second-year talent Ramses Barden was the talk of spring. Deep threat Mario Manningham, 24, will only get better.
Philadelphia Eagles
Sporting News
1. The Kevin Kolb era begins. Signed to a fully guaranteed two-year, $12.25 million contract after the Donovan McNabb trade, Kolb will receive all of the first-team practice reps for the first time in his career, and be relied on heavily by pass-happy coach Andy Reid. Philadelphia hasn't finished outside the top 10 in total pass attempts since 2003. ![]()
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2. Kolb's arsenal is young, and stacked. Receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin have speed to burn outside, while slot man Jason Avant and tight end Brent Celek are sure-handed presences in the underneath passing game. Tailback LeSean McCoy is also a big-time asset as a receiver. By season's end, Kolb's supporting cast may be considered the game's best.
3. An upgraded pass rush. The Eagles made this a major offseason priority, trading for nickel end Darryl Tapp in March before using high draft picks on elite college rushers Brandon Graham and Daniel Te'o-Nesheim in April. The idea is to generate so much up-front pressure that rookie free safety Nate Allen and injury-prone right corner Ellis Hobbs have an easier time in the back end.
Washington Redskins
1. Scheme first, talent second. New coach Mike Shanahan is installing his schemes with little regard for talent in place. The Redskins switched to a 3-4 defense despite top defender Albert Haynesworth's poor fit in the system. Defensive end Andre Carter will be forced to move to outside linebacker, where he's struggled in the past. Offensively, the 'Skins scrapped Jim Zorn's old power-based running game in favor of zone blocking. Whether they have the linemen to execute remains to be seen.
2. Skill core question marks. Former second-round receivers Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly have been disappointments, and will compete for one starting job. 31-year-old top wideout Santana Moss had offseason knee surgery and posted a career-worst yards-per-catch average last season. Running back Clinton Portis may be nearing the end of the line after a concussion-ruined 2009 campaign. He's fourth on the active career carries list.
3. Offensive line issues. The Redskins are already short one possible offensive line starter. Mike Williams, the club's incumbent first-team right guard, will miss the season due to blood clots near his heart. While newly signed Artis Hicks might have beat out Williams anyway, the loss is a blow to Washington's depth. The Redskins, meanwhile, are counting on right tackle Jammal Brown to rebound from a washed-out season due to injury, and rookie Trent Williams to protect McNabb's blind side.
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears
1. Clock's ticking on Smith, Angelo. G.M. Jerry Angelo and coach Lovie Smith are on the hot seat, and evidence that they're aware of their tenuous situations showed up in Chicago's offseason moves. New playcaller Mike Martz will be asked to make a quick fix of the Bears' offense. Defensive end Julius Peppers was handed an $84 million contract as the game's highest-paid non-quarterback. Fellow free agent pickups Chester Taylor and Brandon Manumaleuna will be well-compensated role players.
2. Cutler gets help. On the record, Martz has guaranteed the Bears' receivers will be a strength. Chicago's young pass catchers were criticized for mental mistakes and blown routes throughout the 2009 season, contributing to quarterback Jay Cutler's league-high 26 interceptions. Martz, though, envisions Devin Hester as his new Isaac Bruce and Johnny Knox as the next Torry Holt. Tight end Greg Olsen's role will decrease, as he struggles as a blocker. Manumaleuna may start ahead of him.
3. Healthy defensive stars? In addition to Peppers, the Bears are counting on tackle Tommie Harris and linebacker Brian Urlacher to spark the defense. Urlacher's '09 season ended in Week 1 with a fractured wrist, but he was medically cleared this spring. Injuries sapped Harris' burst, and he struggled against both the pass and run. Though he's still just 27, Harris' knees and dedication are long-term concerns.
Detroit Lions
1. More offense! The Lions dedicated their offseason to upgrading quarterback Matthew Stafford's supporting cast. Deep threat tight end Tony Scheffler, new No. 2 receiver Nate Burleson, and dynamic pass-catching back Jahvid Best add firepower to an offense that became easy to defend after running back Kevin Smith's torn ACL down the stretch last season. While Stafford's protection remains a concern, he and Calvin Johnson have breakout potential in Scott Linehan's revamped offense.
EAST EAST NORTH NORTH SOUTH SOUTH WEST WEST
2. A wide-open secondary. Detroit fielded the league's worst secondary last year, and has essentially opened the entire unit to competition. Only free safety Louis Delmas is assured of a job. The Lions need a strong safety with cover skills to emerge from a battle including Ko Simpson, Marquand Manuel, C.C. Brown, and Jonathan Hefney. Cornerback pickups Chris Houston, Amari Spievey, Dre' Bly, and Jonathan Wade are all contending for two spots. Spievey is arguably the best talent of the group. ![]()
3. A new defensive line. The Lions inserted promising second-year middle linebacker DeAndre Levy as the starter behind new defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Corey Williams. Kyle Vanden Bosch is the new right end, with Cliff Avril and Jason Hunter competing on the left side. Zack Follett has replaced Ernie Sims at weak-side linebacker.
Green Bay Packers
1. A popular Super Bowl pick. G.M. Ted Thompson's impressive ability to draft productive players in the mid-to-late rounds, and sticktoitiveness when it comes to avoiding over-the-hill free agents, has resulted in one of the league's deepest rosters. Sports Illustrated and NBC Sports have tabbed Green Bay as early favorites to win the NFC.
2. Driver nearing an end. Top wideout Donald Driver is recovering from surgery to both knees. While the procedures were termed "routine" by the Packers, they're still reason for major concern. Knee surgery is not typically kind to 35-year-old wide receivers, and Driver's production slipped sharply down the stretch of last season. Green Bay is going to need more from James Jones and Jordy Nelson.
3. Year two of Dom Capers' 3-4 scheme. The system was a success in year one, as the Packers ranked second in total defense and first against the run. With 2009 first-round picks B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews entering their second years, it's scary to think how good the unit will be in 2010. Capers does need a few good defensive backs to step up with No. 1 corner Charles Woodson entering his age-34 season and No. 2 corner Al Harris coming off major knee surgery.
Minnesota Vikings
1. Where's Brett? From his ankle surgery to the Vikings' offseason decision making, all signs point to quarterback Brett Favre's return for the 2010 season. Favre, though, isn't expected to make anything official until mid-to-late August. That way, he won't have to practice during the dog days of training camp.
2. Sidney's slow return. Breakout receiver Sidney Rice missed nearly all of the offseason program with soreness in his hip. While Rice "hopes" to be healthy for Week 1, he's hinted that practicing in Mankato might be a long shot. Coming off his first career Pro Bowl berth, Rice's slow recovery coupled with his history of nagging injuries that haven't healed quickly makes this a cause for concern.
3. Defending the pass. The Vikings have question marks throughout the secondary. Right cornerback Cedric Griffin's early-season status is in doubt as he returns from a torn ACL. Left corner Antoine Winfield is coming off an injury-plagued season and turned 33 in July. Safeties Madieu Williams and Tyrell Johnson are coming off poor years. The Vikings supplemented the group with rookie Chris Cook and free agent Lito Sheppard, but Cook is a rookie and Sheppard was a free agent bust as a Jet.
Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
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