NFL Training Camp is a busy time of year. This is when the coaches implement their system, playbooks are drawn up and every position on every team is up for grabs. Injuries are as common as practice cones and tackling dummies. If you blink, you could just miss the preamble to a breakout season. Fortunately, I’ll be keeping up with all of it in order to ensure Fantasy Alarm Nation stays in the know all summer long.
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If you've missed any of our previous Training Camp Reports you can find them all RIGHT HERE
COWBOYS QB
This is a very lucrative backup spot obviously since starter Tony Romo cannot keep his collarbone in place. So it should come as no surprise that just about every QB available is tossing his hat in the ring. Contract talks between the Cowboys and Nick Foles are said to be hot and heavy right now but there are also rumors swirling around about other free agents such as Charlie Whitehurst and Jimmy Clausen. There is even rumors of trade negotiations involving Josh McCown, Chase Daniel and Mike Glennon.
The latest QB to be attached to the Cowboys backup QB job is Michael Vick. Vick told an ESPN Dallas reporter that he is “in better shape than (he) was last season” and wants to “put the helmet on one more time and dedicate myself to football.” Very interesting considering Vick hasn’t been dedicated to football for a couple of years now but it is compelling that he is indeed considering playing for the right situation this year. I think Vick would be a great mentor for rookie QB Dak Prescott who I have already said multiple times is going to be a starter in this league eventually.
LOOKING GOOO, BILLY RAY!
Eagles WR Chris Givens has always been a speedy downfield threat but hasn’t ever translated that skill into any kind of on-field success. He is getting first team work as the teams “X” WR this week and has made a very good impression on the new coaching staff. As I explain in the Coaching Breakdowns article in the Draft Guide, this Eagles offense will dink and dunk time after time then take a shot downfield to a speedy receiver that can get behind the defense. It’s early, but somebody will be the Eagles downfield threat and Givens is in a position to get that job. Even if he does however, there won’t be enough consistency to make Givens or anyone else a regular fantasy contributor.
FEELING GOOD, LOUIS!!
Speaking of Andy Reid and his west coast style offense, out in Kansas City they have a speedy WR of their own that is making big plays early on in camp. Rookie WR Tyreek Hill was a world class sprinter back in high school but got arrested on an awful assault charge back in 2014 which got him expelled from Oklahoma State. The Chiefs took a shot on him in the fifth round and he’s been stunning them with his top end speed ever since. Hill is easily the most interesting receiver on the Chiefs besides Jeremy Maclin. He will likely be more of a factor in the return game than in the offense but he deserves our attention as training camp marches on.
CAN’T WAIT FOR THE NEW DANCE
After a couple of lackluster days the Panthers offense really looked sharp today especially their leader QB Cam Newton. Cam made two long TD throws one to Ted Ginn and the other to Damiere Byrd in what amounted to as dominating a performance as a QB can have in a practice. All of this came after two subpar days in which the coaching staff challenged the entire offense to be more attack like. This just goes to show that there really isn’t a more dominating player in the NFL than Cam Newton when he is properly motivated.
FALCONS QB’S
It is getting awkward around Falcons camp these days. Backup QB Matt Schaub, the onetime pro-bowl starter for the Houston Texans is significantly outperforming Matt Ryan in just about every facet. It is really bewildering to see what is becoming of Matt Ryan. He appears hesitant and not confident in his reads causing him to delay and either allow pressure to get to him or force the ball into coverage. Schaub has been very good in running the second team offense and actually got some time with the one’s today while Ryan was treated for a finger issue. There won’t be a QB controversy here in Atlanta but people who are watching these practices are starting to seriously wonder if maybe there should be.
DEPTH CHARTING
Last year I was getting call after call on my SiriusXM show about keeping Austin Seferian-Jenkins throughout his entire injury leave. ASJ had just one impressive performance in 2015 and the fantasy world seemed to go nuts for the guy. Well in training camp here in 2016, he is not even running with the second team offense currently. Cameron Brate is currently getting the first team reps while Luke Stocker is entering in two TE sets. I am sure that Dirk Koetter is trying to motivate Seferian-Jenkins with the demotion but I also don’t believe ASJ to be the type to want to really work for his role on the team. With all of the other options out there at the TE position, I would stay clear of him this season.
NOT PRACTICING
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Giants – Leg
Alshon Jeffery, WR, Bears – Hamstring
Josh Doctson, WR, Redskins – Foot
Marqise Lee, WR, Jaguars – Hamstring