Welcome to the 2014 NFL Training Camp Blog! Everyday I’ll be reporting on all of the fantasy worthy news, notes and nonsense from around all 32 NFL training camps. If you want more in-depth knowledge on how to become a better fantasy football player, check out the 210 page Fantasy Football Draft Guide. We’ve got 550+ players ranked, 30 winning strategies from the best players in the world, every coaching system, offensive line and rookie broken down like you have never read before. Plus, you can get is ALL FOR FREE when you deposit into a NEW DraftKings account.
Here is the Training Camp Report for Friday August 2nd:
Let’s Be Blount
doesn’t get along well with people. He is have an especially difficult time getting along with his new Steelers teammates. On Friday, when fellow RB Le’Veon Bell went at it with LB Vince Williams, Blount came to Bell’s defense almost setting off a complete team melee. Blount wasn’t even in on the play that started the fight but rushed in as it started and quickly became the main aggressor.
Today, Blount had a full on screaming match with CB Ike Taylor and then became crazy loud and obnoxious when LT Kelvin Beachum and LB Chris Carter mixed it up. It is obvious that Blount has some sort of chip on his shoulders but it is also concerning that he doesn’t seem to have any friends on the team.
Speaking Of People Who Always Fight
Baltimore Ravens WR Steve Smith always mixes it up with opposing defensive backs mostly because his skills are as diminished as his size so he takes it out on the world. Well today Smith had a full out swinging match with teammate CB Chykie Brown. Brown has been a complete disaster this camp even getting sent home the other day for kicking a ball in frustration. But Smith really seemed to be taking advantage of Brown’s frail state of mind today in an attempt to win favor with his new teammates. It was a real sad situation to be honest with you. Avoid Smith like the plague this season unless your league awards points for pass interference penalties.
Moving On Up
Just a few months ago it appeared as though the Jets were about to shit can failed WR Stephen Hill. Then Hill reported to minicamp and proclaimed that he “grew 3 inches” this offseason which could be in the team photo for weirdest things ever said at an offseason minicamp.
But Hill has really been good over the first week of training camp. He indeed looks bigger (that is not possible I know but just look at the guy), faster and perhaps most important more confident than ever. What’s more is that Geno Smith really loves throwing to Hill as it’s almost obscene how little the other receivers are targeted in game drills.
I have moved hill up 17 places in my latest WR rankings as it becomes more obvious that not only will Hill factor into the offense this year but that the Jets offense will be substantially improved in 2014 I like Hill a lot more in standard league formats because his great size makes him a very valuable red zone weapon.
Remember The Name
is one of those guys that you cannot believe you hadn’t noticed before. In checking my notes from previous years I have but one writeup on him stating that I “love his size and speed” and that Streeter is a guy to “watch closely this summer.” That was back in 2012 when Streeter was a sixth round pick by the Baltimore Ravens.
Now Tommy Streeter is in camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is making heads turn just about every day. Streeter is 6’5”, 215 lbs and ran a 4.34 40-yard dash back at the combine in 2012. The Bucs love his hands too as he’s been making sensational grabs looks almost ordinary. His size and speed are obviously legit and it’s really a wonder it has taken this long for his name to surface as a legitimate fantasy threat.
The Buccaneers already feature two other 6’5” WR’s in Vincent Jackson and rookie Mike Evans. That is quite an impressive group that Josh McCown has to throw to and very similar to the tree toppers he had in Chicago last year in Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. It’s going to be very difficult for any team to matchup defensively with these huge WR’s and could wind up being a good thing for McCown and the Bucs offense.
Quick Hits
The Saints aren’t saying much but it is very odd that CB Champ Bailey has been absent from camp the past two days after being embarrassed earlier in the week. My hunch is that Bailey is contemplating retirement as it is apparent that he is completely done being an effective player.
The Dolphins are having such problems finding a replacement for injured C Maurice Pouncey that they went out and signed veteran Samson Satele who has played for the Colts, Raiders and Dolphins. Hopefully he can add some stability to the interior of the Dolphins offensive line.
Bengals second year TE Tyler Eifert was Andy Dalton’s favorite target in today’s scrimmage. Dalton torched his defensive teammates and made frequent use of Eiferts big arms and leaping ability. I’d expect an increase in Eifert’s production this year but nothing that would make him an every week starter despite having immense talent.
Speaking of big TE’s…no this isn’t going to be about Kim Kardashian rather Browns TE Jordan Cameron. Cameron left practice today with a shoulder injury. The medical staff doesn’t seem too concerned but my guy who saw the tumble says that Cameron came down hard on his clavicle and appeared in quite a bit of pain. We’ll know more on this by tomorrow I am sure.
Cameron wasn’t the only TE to crumble with an injury today. Dolphins TE Charles Clay went down with a right leg injury today. Clay did walk off under his own power so hopefully it isn’t anything that will linger.