Training Camp Update Volume 3, Issue 1 8/02/07
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- Jacksonville Jaguars QB
- Jaguars Depth Chart QB
- Chiefs Depth Chart QB
- Dolphins Depth Chart QB
- Minnesota Vikings QB
Colts Depth Chart QB: Peyton Manning, Jim Sorgi, John Navarre, Josh Betts, Mike McGann RB: Joseph Addai, DeDe Dorsey, Kenton Keith, Clifton Dawson FB: Luke Lawton WR: Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Anthony Gonzalez, Roy Hall, Aaron Moorehead, John Standeford, Devin Aromashodu, Craphonso Thorpe, Brian Hare, Trent Shelton, Michael DePriest (IR) TE: Dallas Clark, Ben Utecht, Bryan Fletcher, Jerome Collins, Gijon Robinson, Mike Seidman, Jonny Harline, Justin Snow K: Adam Vinatieri, Shane Andrus DT: Anthony McFarland, Raheem Brock (DE), Quinn Pitcock (NT), Darrell Reid, Dan Klecko, Ramel Meekins, Tom Johnson, Corey Simon (PUP) DE: Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis, Josh Thomas, Bo Schobel, Keyunta Dawson, Jeff Charleston, Ben Ishola, Ryan LaCasse MLB: Gary Brackett (W/M) OLB: Rob Morris (S), Freddie Keiaho (W), Tyjuan Hagler (S), Clint Session, Rocky Boiman, Keith O'Neil (inj), Brandon Archer, KaMichael Hall, Ramon Guzman CB: Marlin Jackson, Kelvin Hayden, Daymeion Hughes, Michael Coe, T.J. Rushing (KR), Antonio Perkins, Tim Jennings, Cedric Holt, Duane Coleman S: Bob Sanders (SS) (PUP), Antoine Bethea (FS), Matt Giordano (FS), Brannen Condren, Tanard Davis, Norman LeJeune, Melvin Bullitt, Scott Ware Jacksonville Jaguars QB: The Jaguars were rumored to have interest in free agent Daunte Culpepper, but Jack Del Rio denounced those reports prior to the start of camp. That’s good news for returning starter Byron Leftwich; who is playing for a contract as he’ll be a free agent at the end of the year. For the first time since college, Leftwich’s ankle appears healthy, too. He is plenty motivated, but he’ll also be working with yet another new offensive coordinator, a new quarterbacks coach, two new wide receivers coaches, and maybe even two new receivers. Ironically, Leftwich is the one constant. “It’s a producing league. I know I’m here for a reason. If they didn’t think I was the guy for the team, I wouldn’t be here,” Leftwich said. “I have a new appreciation for football from having it taken away from me. When I’m out there, I’m going to be having fun. You’re not going to see many frowns on my face,” he added. David Garrard returns as the backup and Quinn Gray as the QB3. RB: The Jaguars have more running back talent than they know what to do with. Obviously the team’s primary ball-carriers will be veteran Fred Taylor and second-year phenom Maurice Jones-Drew. Both are in excellent shape, but the best player in camp thus far appears to be Jones-Drew. If it’s possible, he looks stronger, faster and more consistent than he was a year ago. On several plays, he has found a seam where there really wasn’t any to the naked eye, and run for daylight shortly thereafter. Barring injury, Jones-Drew is going to be dynamic this season. But the talent doesn’t stop there. Fullback Greg Jones is back running hard after missing last season with a knee injury. He’s showing power and were it not for Taylor and Jones-Drew, Jones would be a good bet to see a good amount of playing time, particularly in short yardage. Converted linebacker D.D. Terry is going to have difficulty breaking camp with the team, but he looks like a solid bet for practice squad participation and a possible role with the team in a year or two. WR: HC Jack Del Rio opened up competition for the starting WR spots showing some displeasure with the progress and lack of production out of Reggie Williams and Matt Jones. "Well, they don't stand at the front of the line… It's wide open," Del Rio said. "The guy who's really stepped up and really put himself into the picture is Charles Sharon. He's a guy who's earned his opportunity and look in camp." Sharon was an undrafted free agent a year ago, but he along with rookies Mike Walker and John Broussard have opportunities to earn a spot in camp. During offseason workouts, Sharon has played well and Walker has shown great hands to go with his 6’ 2” frame. Walker got off to a nice start in camp making a leaping, two-handed grab along the sideline earning the loudest cheer from fans during Saturday morning’s opening practice. Ernest Wilford remains in the mix and the team brought in veteran Dennis Northcutt to add experience and competition for the team’s WR3 spot. "Dennis has been a terrific addition," said Del Rio. "He brings speed, suddenness, veteran savvy. The other thing he brings to our locker room is a guy that's done it. He understands what it takes to be a pro. He's been a tremendous influence on our young receivers." Northcutt and Sharon ran with the first team while Williams and Jones lined up with David Garrard on the second team. Del Rio also said “we really don’t have a depth chart right now” preferring to keep this an open competition and perhaps light a fire under Jones and Williams. TE: George Wrighster remains the starter heading into camp, but most expect Marcedes Lewis, last year’s first round pick to either produce more fantasy points than Wrighster or supplant him as the starter at some point. The Jags also signed veteran Jermaine Wiggins from Minnesota to add depth and another reliable, short-to-intermediate receiver. Depending on what happens during the preseason, one of these (Lewis?) could emerge as a bonafide sleeper for league requiring TEs. Defense: The team signed 1st-round pick Reggie Nelson to a contract worth a maximum value of $13.1 million; the deal includes $7.1 million in guarantees. 2nd round pick, LB Justin Durant signed a four-year deal worth $1.72 million in guaranteed money. Nelson and Durant were the last two rookies to sign, but both were signed right as camp opened. SS Gerald Sensabaugh has the inside track to replace Donovin Darius, but he’ll draw competition from rookie 2nd round pick Josh Gattis. HC Jack Del Rio said: "I think (Sensabaugh) is ready to compete to be a starter and a very productive starter. But I think it's best to leave it at that and let things work themselves out." DE Reggie Hayward was medically cleared to practice and in time to start training camp. Hayward suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in last year's season-opener. Special Teams: Heading into camp, there are no big questions on special teams for Jacksonville. Josh Scobee always had the leg strength, and has started to improve his consistency. Both were evident in this year’s minicamps. There is no other kicker on the roster, although punter Tony Yelk has kicking experience, and could serve as a camp leg. RB Maurice Jones-Drew is a playmaker and will be the lead kickoff returner once again. RB Derrick Wimbush is a solid backup option. RB Alvin Pearman was a respectable punt returner the last two years; however the Jaguars upgraded the position during the offseason. Free agent acquisition WR Dennis Northcutt is a playmaker on punt returns, and gives Jacksonville potentially one of the best return tandems in the league. Jaguars Depth Chart QB: Byron Leftwich (inj), David Garrard, Quinn Gray, Tim Couch, Lester Ricard RB: Fred Taylor, Maurice Jones-Drew (SD/3RB/KR) , LaBrandon Toefield (KR) , Alvin Pearman (PR), Montell Owens, D.D. Terry FB: Greg Jones, Derrick Wimbush (KR) WR: Reggie Williams, Matt Jones (inj), Ernest Wilford, Dennis Northcutt, Charles Sharon, Mike Walker, John Broussard, Jimmy Farris, D'Juan Woods, Roosevelt Kiser TE: George Wrighster (inj), Marcedes Lewis, Jermaine Wiggins, Richard Angulo, Greg Estandia, Isaac Smolko K: Josh Scobee DT: Marcus Stroud, John Henderson, Rob Meier (DE), Derek Landri, Tony McDaniel, Walter Curry DE: Reggie Hayward, Bobby McCray, Brent Hawkins, Paul Spicer, James Wyche, Jeremy Mincey, Brian Smith MLB: Mike Peterson (M/W) (inj), Tony Gilbert OLB: Daryl Smith (W/M), Clint Ingram (S), Nick Greisen (W), Justin Durant (W), Jorge Cordova (W/S), Pat Thomas (inj), Kenneth Pettway, Brian Iwuh, Chad Nkang CB: Rashean Mathis, Brian Williams, Terry Cousin, Scott Starks, Bruce Thornton, Dee Webb, Chris Roberson, Rashod Moulton, Jamar Landrom S: Reggie Nelson (FS), Gerald Sensabaugh (SS), Josh Gattis (SS), Nick Sorensen, Kevin McCAdam, Jamaal Fudge Kansas City Chiefs QB: With Trent Green dealt to the Dolphins, the stage is set for 2nd year QB Brodie Croyle to take over as the team’s starter. Croyle is penciled in as the starter as camp got underway, but he’ll have competition from veteran Damon Huard, who was 10-4 as a starter last season. Croyle has a good arm and he’s a natural leader who played in a pro-style offense at Alabama. He’ll need to limit his mistakes, though, considering that Huard threw just one interception last year in 244 attempts. After a few days of camp, Croyle has yet to really distance himself from his veteran competition. When asked if Head Coach Herm Edwards had seen any separation between the QBs, he said, “Naaaah, not really. As we get into this thing even more and more we’ll find out. I think you’ll see separation as we go through pre-season and the start of playing games.” RB: Larry Johnson is a hold out as he and the team remain $14 million apart. “We're very far apart, but I can't tell you exactly how far apart we are because we haven't received an offer from them since June 1," said Alvin Keels, Johnson's agent. GM Carl Peterson addressed the media on Friday noting that he has not attempted to trade the Chiefs star RB. "I have no intention whatsoever of trading Larry Johnson. Like before there was a lot of speculation on that; I have had no teams - zero - call me with an interest in trading for Larry. I think the obvious is that any team that would have an interest in him realizes that the compensation they would have to give to the Kansas City Chiefs in draft choices plus the contract that his agent is currently asking for makes it quite prohibitive for anybody to step up to all of that." Peterson went on to say that “"Larry is a terrific back, but I don't put him in the LaDainian Tomlinson category. Hopefully, he can get there; become a more complete back like LaDainian. This guy wants money beyond LaDainian Tomlinson. That's not going to happen with us." Meanwhile, Priest Holmes received medical clearance to play in 2007 giving the Chiefs perhaps a bit of leverage, though it’s hard to predict what to expect from Holmes, who is 34 and almost two years removed from his last NFL action following neck and head injuries. Holmes conceivably could be the team’s backup and occasional 3rd down back competing with Michael Bennett for snaps while LJ is out of camp. Rookie 5th round pick Kolby Smith will compete with Derrick Ross for a roster spot. Smith split first-team snaps with Bennett on Friday. LJ will be fined $14K for each day he misses camp. WR: Dwayne Bowe missed the first two days of camp as his agent and the team continued working on a contract for the first rounder. Bowe is expected to push Samie Parker for a starting job opposite Eddie Kennison. Parker hasn’t been very productive and Bowe gives the team a much better threat in the red zone due to his size and physical style of play. Coach Edwards admits that Parker has to prove himself this year or risk being demoted. “He’s competing to find out if he’s still going to continue to be the starter or what role he’s going to have. That’s a good thing. That’s what is great about the receiver corps right now. We’ve got some young guys in there that are getting a chance and having an opportunity and that’s raising the competition level at that position,” said Edwards. Also in the mix for playing time are Jeff Webb, Rod Gardner and Chris Hannon. TE: Tony Gonzalez enters his 11th season with the Chiefs having finished as a top 3 fantasy TE in seven of the last eight years. Fantasy owners hope the Chiefs losses on the offensive line won’t hurt Gonzo’s production (if he’s required to block more). Gonzo should be fine, but there are some concerns with an unknown commodity at QB, losses on the line and Larry Johnson holding out for a new contract. Jason Dunn and Kris Wilson remain the backups. Dunn is like a third tackle while Wilson can play some FB, H-back and TE. Defense: The Chiefs received some good news prior to camp when the NFL announced that DE Jared Allen’s suspension has been reduced from four to two games. 2nd round pick DT Turk McBride started camp on a strong note after turning heads throughout the spring drills and workouts. McBride performed well in the 1-on-1 drills with the offensive linemen. The Broncos have shown interest in trading for veteran Greg Wesley as they hope to add an experienced player in their secondary, but the Chiefs have been reluctant to move the veteran safety to a division foe. eanwhile, the Chiefs will see what free agent CB Will Poole has left, signing him to a two-year contract on Friday. Poole has not played in the NFL since 2004. Special Teams: The Chiefs’ house cleaning was very evident on special teams. They traded away Lawrence Tynes, shortly after drafting Justin Medlock from UCLA. They also released Aaron Barret, leaving Medlock as the only kicker on the roster. Training camp will be an opportunity for Medlock to show that the team’s confidence in him is justified. The Chiefs also traded away return specialist WR Dante Hall. WR Jeff Webb did well in relief of Hall last year and will likely be the starter this year. CB Benny Sapp, rookie WR Ean Randolph and WR Chris Hannon have also been practicing on kickoff returns. WR Samie Parker is the early frontrunner for the lead punt returner role. Ean Randolph from Florida Southern is also a possibility, although the coaches are looking for steady north-south returners more so than explosive dancers. Rookie WR Titus Ryan and CB Justin Phinisee have also been practicing on punt returns. If they don’t pan out, WR Eddie Kennison has been the primary backup the last few years and could step into the role. Chiefs Depth Chart QB: Brodie Croyle, Damon Huard, Casey Printers, Jeff Terrell RB: Larry Johnson, Priest Holmes, Michael Bennett, Kolby Smith, Derrick Ross, Marcus O'Keith FB: Boomer Grigsby, Greg Hanoian, Gilbert Harris WR: Eddie Kennison, Samie Parker (RFA), Jeff Webb, Dwayne Bowe, Rod Gardner, Chris Hannon, Ean Randolph (KR), Maurice Price, Brent Little, Ryan Titus, Brad Ekwerekwu TE: Tony Gonzalez, Jason Dunn, Kris Wilson, Michael Allan, Mike Pinkard, Keith Willis K: Justin Medlock DT: James Reed, Ron Edwards, Turk McBride, Tank Tyler, Alfonso Boone (NT), Kiki Gonzalez, Patrice Majondo-Mwamba DE: Tamba Hali, Jared Allen (susp), Jimmy Wilkerson, Michael Heard, Chris Harris, Montez Murphy MLB: Napoleon Harris, Rich Scanlon OLB: Derrick Johnson (L), Donnie Edwards (R), Kendrell Bell (R), Keyaron Fox (R/L), William Kershaw, Nick Reid, David Hicks, Nate Harris, Brian Crum CB: Patrick Surtain, Ty Law, Benny Sapp, Marcus Maxey, Michael Bragg, Justin Phinisee, Dimitri Patterson, Will Poole, Tyron Brackenridge S: Bernard Pollard (SS), Jarrad Page (FS), Greg Wesley (FS), Jon McGraw, Chad Williams, Marlon Fair Miami Dolphins QB: The Dolphins traded for Trent Green with the hope that he can stabilize the offense after a turbulent year with Daunte Culpepper, Joey Harrington and Cleo Lemon leading the offense. Green is a risk since he missed most of last season due to a serious concussion and its aftermath. While everyone expects Green to start for the Dolphins this season, the team is going to make him earn it. Lemon was getting some first team snaps as camp opened, but that arrangement probably won’t last for long. "Bottom line is, you learn over time, why make a decision before you need to make it?" head coach Cam Cameron said. "And this year, this particular year, it's not the time to do that yet in my opinion." The Dolphins gave Green, Lemon and rookie 2nd round pick John Beck adequate snaps on the first day. RB: If anyone was wondering whether Ronnie Brown was going to have to share the load, the first week of training camp should have cleared up the situation. Brown has taken virtually all the snaps with the 1st team offense, and Cameron expects huge things out of the former Auburn Tiger. Brown showed up to camp at 230 pounds and has been the hardest worker in camp according to several veterans, including Vonnie Holiday. Coach Cameron doesn’t mince words about his plan to run early and often. “I love to run the football," Cameron said Wednesday. "And the only way that I'm familiar with being able to run the football is being able to run it in practice - and run it, and run it and run it and continue to run it and give it to the guy that continues to run it. I don't know any other way." While Brown is in line to be the workhorse, it didn’t take long for rookie Lorenzo Booker to impress his teammates. Booker got a rise out of the crowd when he juked LB Derrick Pope in the backfield during a 1-on-1 drill. Before that, he beat Channing Crowder deep and Crowder just raised his hands as Booker trotted in for a TD. Veteran DT Vonnie Holliday liked what he saw, too. "This guy is impressive, he's fast," Holliday said after Saturday’s first full-squad workout. "I can't wait to see him actually get into a preseason game and get some carries and some catches out of the backfield. He's so quick ... and his ability to make a move and get north and south is impressive." Booker believes he was underutilized at Florida State, so he’s going out of his way to do whatever is asked of him by the Dolphins coaching staff. He took part in punt return drills along with several others. Earlier last week in full-squad plays Booker and Ray Perkins were running on every play. Perkins showed nice cut-back ability up the middle, while Booker showed good speed on the outside, catching the corners on a number of plays. Starter Ronnie Brown made a nice move in RB receiving drills, making Zack Thomas miss as he went in for a score. WR: The Dolphins were able to sign first-round pick Ted Ginn Jr. to a five-year deal worth more than $13 million. The signing was key because the team had all 87 players signed for their first full squad workouts. Ginn missed five practices earlier in the week, but he made team meetings Friday before the team took the field. Ginn is finally healthy after spraining his foot during an end-zone celebration after returning the opening kickoff for a TD in the BCS national championship game. Ginn proclaimed himself 100% and said he would not be limited. "It's great to be here on time," said Ginn, the 9th overall pick. "We both had the same goal - to come in and be on time and be ready to start rolling. It all worked out fine." Ginn was asked if he's be the fastest player in the NFL. "No," he said. How about top 10? "Yeah," he said. Ginn has plenty of work ahead. He needs to work on his route running, hands and getting off the line cleanly before he makes an impact at this level. On the first day of camp, Ginn connected with Green and Beck for a pair of nice receptions. Chris Chambers, the team’s #1 WR, seems pleased with HC Cam Cameron's offense. "I like the precision. He's very confident about his offense, I know that," Chambers said. "Over the years in San Diego they've been in the top five probably the last four or five years so you know what he brings. It's a variation of probably one of the greatest offenses that's been run, but it depends on who's calling the plays and he knows he can do that." Marty Booker will face competition from 2nd year WR Derek Hagan for the other starting job, and ultimately, from Ginn as well. On the opening day of camp, rookies Kerry Reed and David Sutton displayed some good route running, proving they’ve been studying the playbook. Marty Booker caught a nice pass on the sideline over CB Michael Lehan but needs to do more to reclaim the goodwill he lost while demanding a trade this offseason. TE: David Martin will start for the Dolphins, but he’s not exactly a one-man gang. The Dolphins picked up tight end Courtney Anderson off waivers from the Oakland Raiders on Saturday waiving rookie safety David Lofton in order to make room for the 26-year-old Anderson. Anderson gives the team another veteran to compete with Justin Peelle for playing time. Defense: The LBs and secondary got off to a good start on the first day making solid tackles and preventing yards after the catch. WR Chris Chambers paid the price for dropping a pass on a slant route when safety Cameron Worrell dropped him in his tracks. Chambers remained down for a minute before bouncing back to his feet. Later on, the LBs and secondary continued to set the tone in 7-on-7 drills and 11-on-11, picking off a number of passes from Green, Lemon and Beck. Will Allen picked off Green, while Kelvin Smith nabbed one of Cleo Lemon’s throws. Special Teams: Free agent acquisition Jay Feely takes over the kicker job. He’ll be spelled during the preseason by camp leg Matt Prater. Who will be the holder remains a question. Punter candidates Ryan Flinn and rookie Brandon Fields are the top choices. Second choices are the backup QBs Cleo Lemon and John Beck. It’s difficult to discuss returners without mentioning the Devin Hester effect. That’s especially true with the Dolphins, who used the ninth overall draft pick to select their return specialist, WR Ted Ginn Jr. from Ohio State. He appears to be healthy again, and agreed to contract terms several days into camp. If he gets hurt again or flops as a returner, then Az-Zahir Hakim provides a veteran option. Another rookie possibility is RB Lorenzo Booker from Florida State. He has looked good in practices on kickoff returns, but has struggled fielding punts. Dolphins Depth Chart QB: Trent Green, Cleo Lemon, John Beck, Gibran Hamdan RB: Ronnie Brown, Lorenzo Booker, Patrick Cobbs, Jesse Chatman, Ray Perkins FB: Corey Schlesinger, Kyle Eckel, Reagan Mauia WR: Chris Chambers, Marty Booker, Derek Hagan, Ted Ginn (inj)(KR/PR), Az-Zahir Hakim, David Sutton, Kerry Reed, P.K. Sam, Michael Malone, Marvin Allen TE: David Martin, Justin Peelle, Courtney Anderson, Tim Massaquoi, Aaron Halterman, Jason Rader K: Jay Feely DT: Vonnie Holliday, Keith Traylor (NT), Paul Soliai (NT), Rodrique Wright, Kevin Vickerson, Marquay Love, Steve Fifita, Chase Page, Brian Soi DE: Jason Taylor, Matt Roth, Mkristo Bruce, John Denney (LS) MLB: Zach Thomas, Robert McCune OLB: Channing Crowder (W), Joey Porter (S), Donnie Spragan (S), Derrick Pope (W), Kelvin Smith, Abraham Wright (S), Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, Edmin Miles, Jim Maxwell CB: Will Allen, Andre Goodman (PUP), Travis Daniels, Jason Allen, Michael Lehan, Derrick Johnson, Shirdonya Mitchell, Tuff Harris, Geoffrey Pope S: Renaldo Hill (FS), Yeremiah Bell (SS), Travares Tillman (SS), Cameron Worrell, Chris Harrell, Courtney Bryan, Christopher Vedder Minnesota Vikings QB: Conventional wisdom suggests Tarvaris Jackson will be the Vikings QB this year. But head coach Brad Childress continues to proclaim that there are no-predetermined decisions being made in regards to the team’s starting QB, and nor should they. Brooks Bollinger is going to do everything in his power to insert his way into the Week One starting lineup. Regardless of what Childress says and Bollinger does, clearly the Vikings hope Jackson will emerge as their guy. He’s taken most of the first team reps through the first three days of practice. Recall, the Vikings moved up into the 2nd round to draft Jackson last year with the hope he would become the franchise QB eventually. Jackson is well-built, athletic, moves well in the pocket and he throws with good rhythm and high velocity. "He's got a tremendous arm," Vikings rookie WR Sidney Rice said. "On the last play today he threw a ball to me from the pocket and it hit my hands and went right through them to my chest and I had to trap it there. It was on me fast. He has what it takes to get the job done this year." Veterans have confidence in Jackson, too. "I know Tarvaris has all the ability to lead us to victory, whoever we play, because he brings so much to the table," safety Darren Sharper said. "He's such a threat as far as running the football and also the arm and the accuracy that he has, and he's a smart kid. So I have all the confidence in Tarvaris." Jackson remains focused on improving despite the praise from his teammates. "I'm a lot farther along than I was last year. I still have a lot of learning to do, but it just feels good to be here. I'm more confident out here than I was last year coming in, and I have more of a chemistry with my teammates this year than I did last year, so it feels a lot better,” Jackson says. 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