AFC South Training Camp preview

AFC South Training Camp preview...


AFC South...man this one is an interesting Division...Tennessee, Houston, and Jacksonville all trying to slay the Dragon that is the Indy Colts...




Indianapolis
You wouldn't think that the defending AFC Champs would need to do too much in Training Camp to get ready for another deep run in 2010...but the Colts are actually looking to get better (scary) this Training Camp...

Austin Collie TD

On Offense Clyde Christensen is the new Offensive Coordinator...Training Camp will be his chance to continue to develop young WR's Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon, plus welcome #2 WR Anthony Gonzalez back from injury...even with their trusted Offensive Coordinator Tom Moore now in a different role with the organization there will not be any sense of panic, or worry, as there is sooo much talent on this team to catch the ball...

The running game however will need improvement...no team in the NFL had a worse running game then the Colts...the duo of Joseph Addai and Donald Brown, both former 1st round draft picks, have the potential to be a nice tandem...Mike Hart and undrafted Javarris James (Miami) will have a chance in Training Camp to show their skills in an attempt to add depth to this underachieving RB unit...


In the 2010 draft the Colts when heavy on defense...Training Camp will be a chance for Jerry Hughes (1st round Linebacker out of TCU) and Pat Angerer (2nd round - also a Linebacker out of Iowa) plus other rookies like CB Kevin Thomas (USC) and a trio of 7th rounders in Ricardo Matthews (DT from Cincinnati) Kavell Conner (another Linebacker - Clemson) and Ray Fisher (CB from Indiana) to show that they can add to this defense...Training Camp will also be a chance for 2nd year player Jacob Lacey to show that he can continue to be an asset in the Secondary...the Colts were an average to below-average defense in 2009


The Kick and Punt Returner spots are wide open and up for grabs in Training Camp...Rookies Ray Fisher and Brandon James will get an opportunity, as will 2nd year WR Sam Giguere and likely CB Jerraud Powers


Tennessee
Titans are looking to use Training Camp to build on the 8-2 finish to their 2009 season...the reins were handed back to Vince Young and the team flourished...the Defense was also a unit that did better and better as the season progressed...


The Offense will be using Training Camp to continue the development of 2nd year RB Javon Ringer...Ringer needs to show that he can provide a good option to give amazing RB Chris Johnson a rest here-and-there...

TE Jared Cook

Vince Young will use this time to further his developing relationship with 2nd year WR Kenny Britt...the Titans also drafted Damian Williams (3rd round out of USC) and he is solid...Young also has another up-and-coming threat in TE Jared Cook...Cook will pair with TE Bo Scaife to add to this Offense


On Defense 2nd year Defensive Coordinator Chuck Cecil will use Training Camp to try to improve the likes of DT Jason Jones, 2nd year player Sen'Drick Marks plus youngster William Hayes...it will also be the first look at draft picks Derrick Morgan ((#16 overall from Georgia Tech) and Rennie Curran (Linebacker taken in the 3rd round out of Georgia) who could both be contributors right away


The long search for a gifted Kick Returner may end in Training Camp where Damian Williams should be given a chance to be the guy


Jacksonville
The Organization will have their eyes on QB David Garrard as he is expected to improve on back-to-back 15 TD passes seasons...that # has to go up and the turnovers (Garrard throws picks and fumbles a lot) have to go down...


The running game is in good hands with Maurice Jones-Drew but Training Camp will be an opportunity for 2nd year RB Rashad Jennings to continue to improve and earn more playing time...rookie Deji Karim runs a 4.37 40-yard dash and will get a look in Training Camp as well


Training Camp will also be a chance for the continued development of WR Mike Sims-Walker who showed last year that he may be a #1 WR going forward for this organization...the Jags will also be using Training Camp to see if WR Troy Williamson can play to his potential for the first time since coming over from Minny in 2008...a key will also be the continued development of 2nd year WR Mike Thomas and perhaps Jarett Dillard

Tyson Alualu

On Defense Head Coach Jack Del Rio (certainly on the hot-seat) will be taking over play calling duties...that transition starts in Training Camp...Del Rio will need to use Training Camp as the starting point to improve the Jags horrid pass rush from 2009...this team averaged under 1 sack per game (yikes)...free agent Aaron Campman (Green Bay) will team with young DE Derrick Harvey, plus rookies Tyson Alualu (DE...#10 overall from Cal) D'Anthony Smith (3rd round DT from Louisiana Tech) and Austen Lane (DE...5th round from Murray State) will try to improve this poor unit...tackle-machine Linebacker Kirk Morrison (free agent from Oakland - in 5 years Morrison's lowest tackle total was his rookie year in '05 when he had 116) is a very consistent tackler and he is certain to upgrade the D...


In the Secondary 2nd year starter Derek Cox will be using his 2nd Training Camp to further develop his already impressive skills...any of Reggie Nelson, Gerald Alexander, Sean Considine, and likely Anthony Smith will get a chance to win starting Safety jobs...


On Special Teams rookie Deji Karim will be given an opportunity in Training Camp to win the starting Returner job with Jarett Dillard likely in the mix too...


Houston
For about the 3rd or fourth year in a row now beat writers for the Texans have been doing the ol' copy-and-paste from last season's Training Camp Preview to use for the current preview...story remains that this team is in the middle of the pack, and with a break here-and-there will finally earn their first playoff appearance...no lucky breaks in their favour will have them in their customary 7-9 win range...


New Offensive Coordinator Rick Dennison will be using Training Camp to improve one of the worst running attacks in 2009...now this unit did experience a few key injuries on the Offensive Line, plus a step-back season for RB Steve Slaton...but the band is back together (healthy O-Line) and Slaton will be pushed this season by 2nd year RB Arian Foster, plus rookie Ben Tate (Auburn...Tate has some work to do to continue to sharpen his moves but he has a chance to be productive for Houston)...2nd year RB Jeremiah Johnson will also be in the Training Camp mix looking to earn playing time...


The passing game yielded a TON of success in 2009...to the tune of 291 passing yards per game - tops in the NFL...QB Matt Schaub (Pro Bowl in `09) was healthy and played a full season for the first time in a while...Schaub has a deep unit of WR`s to throw to...we know that Andre Johnson is a beast - top 3 WR in the NFL...plus veterans like Kevin Walter, David Anderson, and Jacoby Jones make this a deep unit...Houston also drafted WR Trindon Holliday (LSU) in the 6th round


With so many options to throw to the Texans will be using Training Camp to prepare QB Dan Orlovsky as he will be the back-up for Schaub if Matt goes down to injury...also in camp will be former USC QB John David Booty

Mario Williams

The Defense finished the season pretty well in `09...2nd year Defensive Coordinator Frank Bush will be using this Training Camp to try and further develop this unit...the key to this unit will be the health of DE Mario Williams...remember back to the 2006 draft when the Texans took Williams #1 overall instead of Reggie Bush...they said that if you are going to compete in this Division you need to able to put pressure on Peyton Manning or he will lead the Colts passed you every time...while a 9 sack 2009 would have been huge for some players, it was actually a step back for Mario...let`s see in Training Camp if he is back on the attack as a healthy leader for this unit...


In the Secondary the Texans will use Training Camp to see how best to utilize rookies CB Kareem Jackson (#20 overall from Alabama)and CB Sherrick McManis (5th round out of Northwestern)...Training Camp will also provide an opportunity for 2nd year CB Glover Quin to continue to sharpen his already impressive skills...young Brice McCain will also be looking to impress and earn more playing time...


On Special Teams a guy like rookie Trindon Holliday should get a chance to impress as a Kick Returner


Check out the AFC West and AFC East Training Camp previews (below)...soon to come is the AFC North preview, and then of course our look at the NFC Divisions...


send me your thoughts...mailto:thoughts...craig.ballard@hotmail.com

AFC West Training Camp preview

a look at the AFC West Training Camp's




San Diego
Is there any other place to start than the Sand Diego SuperChargers?!?!  AFC Title contenders...certain Division winners...the class of the AFC West

Ryan Mattews

Face-of-the-Franchise LaDanian Tomlinson is now in New York...that leaves Training Camp as the stage for 2010 1st round draft pick RB Ryan Matthews (Fresno State) to show his stuff...Matthews has a great skill-set and will likely prove to be a more than adequate replacement for Tomlinson at RB...currently Matthews has not signed a contract, but that actually puts him in the majority as far as the 2010 first round draft picks go...only a few have signed so far, but those dominoes will start to fall and NFL franchises will begin their Training Camps with most, if not all of their pieces in place...when that happens for Matthews I think he is really going to excite the Chargers fan base...Training Camp will show if he is going to get 200 touches, or closer to 300 this season...

QB Philip Rivers has tall, skilled players to throw to with Vincent Jackson, Malcolm Floyd, and great TE Antonio Gates...add Buster Davis and Legedu Naanee to that list, they both will have to improve during this Training Camp to try to compete for playing time on this deep unit

On Defense the Chargers will be giving 2010 5th round draft pick Cam Thomas (North Carolina) a serious look as they hope he can fit in as a run-stuffing Defensive Tackle on this unit...

In the Secondary 4th rounder Darrell Stuckey (Kansas) will be given a chance to compete for a starting Strong Safety job in Training Camp...he will be competing with Steve Gregory and perhaps Paul Oliver

Denver Broncos
Training Camp #2 for Head Coach Josh McDaniels...since taking over the helm in early 2009 McDaniels has done everything under the sun to put his fingerprints on this franchise...gone are Top 10 QB Jay Cutler and Top Ten WR Brandon Marshall...gone is the once successful Broncos rushing game...all that led to the type of inconsistency that saw this team start 6-0 out of Training Camp, but the Broncos also suffered through a pair of 4-game losing streaks in 2009

Demaryius Thomas

2010 Broncos Training Camp will have a lot of eyes watching...McDaniels and management surprised everyone when they traded up in the draft to get QB Tim Tebow (Florida)...for me I understand the want to replace Cutler with a Franchise QB so I applaud the idea, but I am no fan of Tim Tebow's ability to lead an NFL offense...we will see in Training Camp Denver's version of the Wildcat offense and Tebow could certainly contribute to a specialized formation like that...I do however doubt his ability to be a drop back passer in this league...Denver also added WR's Demaryius Thomas (Ramblin' Wreck of Georgia Tech) and Eric Decker (Minnesota) through the 2010 draft...both will have a chance to play on this team going forward, and I like the potential that Thomas has...the Tebow surprise pick was 3 draft picks after Thomas, but Tebow got all the press

Knowshon Moreno had a decent rookie season but much will have to improve...he has the talent to be a 1,000 yard rusher with double-digit TD's in his second season...McDaniels has made strides to overhaul the Offensive Line...rookie 2nd round pick Zane Beadles (6'5" 310 pound Guard from Utah) and rookie 3rd rounder J.D. Walton (6'3" 300 pound Center out of Baylor) will get a chance to develop and earn playing time during this Training Camp...those 2 plus talent and beef like Tackle Ryan Clady (6'6" 325) and Ryan Harris (6'5" 300) are more along the lines of how McDaniels wants to operate his running game...less cut-back's and more straight ahead blocks - that is what McDaniels will try to have the running game look like

On Defense Denver will again have a new man at the Defensive Coordinator helm...Don Martindale replaces Mike Nolan and will have a veteran group to coach led by Elvis Dumervil and his new contract extension...Training Camp is an opportunity for young Cornerbacks like Alphonso Smith and Tony Carter, plus rookies like Perrish Cox and Syd'Quan Thompson to add depth along with veterans like Champ Bailey and Andre Goodman...Safeties Brian Dawkins and Renaldo Hill bring 25 years of NFL experience into Training Camp with them...

Special Teams is of interest in Training Camp for Denver as they have 2nd year punter Britton Colquitt hoping to prove that he is an NFL punter...as far as kick return players go this roster has a lot to try out and choose from in Training Camp...JJ Arrington, Eddie Royal, Alphonso Smith, Perrish Cox for example...

Kansas City
This team experienced serious growing pains last season...2nd year coach Todd Haley will be looking to improve this team in many areas...I am optimistic about the improvements this off-season...but this team went 1-7 in Kansas City last year, and overall endured two 5 game losing streaks (yikes)

Much to do in Training Camp...the 2009 Defense was as bad as any in the NFL...the Offense was bolstered by the emergence of RB Jamaal Charles (1,100 rushing yards with 8 overall TD's) and will add Thomas Jones from the Jets...Jones has rushed for over 1,100+ yards in 5 straight seasons...in 6 of the last 7 seasons he has averaged at least 4.0 yards per carry...plus 27 TD's in the last 2 seasons...he teamed with Shonn Greene to run all the way to the AFC Title game (a game the Jets led at halftime) but fell just short...in KC he gets a chance to duo with Jamaal Charles and this two-some has a lot of potential...Jones is very consistent and Charles is explosive...

Dexter McCluster

The Offense is lead in Training Camp for the first time by new Coordinator Charlie Weis...Weis will have the running backs plus other receiving weapons to work with...I am a big fan of WR Dwayne Bowe, and this is the first full season for WR Chris Chambers...those 2 plus RB/WR Dexter McCluster (#36 overall in 2010 draft out of Ole Miss) and veteran WR Jerheme Urban will give QB Matt Cassel, and Head Coach Todd Haley plus Weis, an opportunity to improve on the poor passing performance of the 2009 Chiefs...Training Camp will be the opportunity for 3rd round TE Tony Moeaki to show that he can contribute too...KC will also look at Leonard Pope and Brad Cottam to play TE

Defensively the 2009 Chiefs had no alibi - they u-g-l-y...new Defensive Coordinator Romeo Crennel will have Training Camp to begin to develop 2010 1st round draft pick Eric Berry (Safety from Tennessee) and Strong Safety Jarrad Page returns from injury to anchor the Secondary...

On Special Teams rookies Dexter McCluster and Javier Arenas are athletic enough to compete for the Kick Returner, and Punt Returner starting spots

Oakland
Where to start...the Raiders have lost at least 11 games in 7 straight seasons - an NFL record for futility...the Owner Al Davis looks like he died some time ago and no one has had the courtesy to tell him...the franchise decisions in the past several years with Davis ruling the organization have been brutal...the choice of Tom Cable as Head Coach is under whelming and poor...

First year Offensive Coordinator Hue Jackson will have new QB Jason Campbell (ex-Redskin)...Cable is an Offensive Line coach playing a Head Coach on TV yet the Offensive Line has struggled for multiple years...Coach Jackson will use Training Camp to try and get improved play from young WR's like Darrius Heyward-Bey, Johnnie Lee Higgins, Chaz Schilens, and rookie Jacoby Ford (Clemson)...

Rolando McClain attacks

On the other side of the ball the Raider Nation welcome rookie Rolando McClain (#8 overall from Alabama) and Training Camp should provide an opportunity for 2nd round pick Lamarr Houston (6'3" 305 pound from Texas - Defensive Tackle) to show his worth going forward...

One certain area of strength for Oakland is the Secondary...Nnamdi Asomugha (Cornerback) is a Top 3 CB in the entire NFL...Chris Johnson is good on the other side at CB...Michael Huff is solid at Free Safety...the Raiders need to add to the depth in the Secondary and will use Training Camp to get a look at rookies Walter McFadden (Auburn) and Jeremy Ware (Michigan State)

On the Defensive Line the 2010 Training Camp will have Raiders coaches looking at guys like Jay Richardson, Matt Shaughnessy, and Desmond Bryant

Oakland had a revolving door at Kick Returner in '09...Jacoby Ford should get a chance to join the fun in Training Camp...at a horrible 12 points per game last year the Raiders are in desperate need of their Special Teams to put immediate points on the board, and set up the offense in good field positions...

The AFC East Training Camp blog preceded this entry, and AFC North and AFC South will follow...check for them in the Blog Archive section...

craig.ballard@hotmail.com

AFC East Training Camp preview

AFC EAST

New England...

Tom Terrific

#1 Training Camp story is the contract status of Patriots QB Tom Brady...Tom Terrific is entering the final year of his contract and is slated to earn $6.5 million which is about 1/3 of what his new contract will pay per year...Brady and Peyton Manning are likely going to get more than the $16.25 per year average of Giants QB Eli Manning's contract extension signed in August 2009...for me Tom Brady is one the few sports heroes left out there and I will be stunned if he allows his image/reputation to be tarnished with a contract dispute that goes too far...that being said I fully anticipate a great year from Brady and this Patriots offense...an offense that was #3 in the entire NFL last year...Bill Belichick also added some new toys for Brady through the draft in TE's Rob Gronkowski (2nd round pick out of Arizona) and Aaron Hernandez (4th round out of Florida)...

Training Camp will be big for Brady-backups Brian Hoyer (un-drafted out of Michigan State) and rookie 7th rounder Zac Robinson (OK State)...if Brady does go down to injury (or the unthinkable - a contract dispute leading to a holdout) then the Pats know there is enough talent at the WR position to still make a playoff run...WR randy Moss is in a contract year and Wes Welker had more catches than anyone in the NFL last year (Moss most TD's)...Welker is returning from a late season horrific knee injury and may not be 100% right away so the Pats will be using Training Camp to see what they have with Julian Edelman, 2nd year player Brandon Tate, and speedy rookie Taylor Price (Ohio)...plus veteran Torry Holt was signed in the off-season...

BIG Sebastian Vollmer

On the Offensive Line I would like to have Training Camp provide more of an opportunity for 6'8" 315 Sebastian Vollmer...I think this guy is a beast and with the limited talent in the Patriots backfield I would like to see them give Vollmer a chance to be a factor at keeping would-be tacklers away from ball carriers...

New England has gone 2 straight years with 0 playoff wins...very un-Patriot like...Tom Brady and Bill Belichick usually do a lot more winning  

On defense CB Devin McCourty (2010 1st round pick out of Rutgers) will be getting his first taste of pro-ball...2009 2nd round pick Ron Brace (Defensive End) and 2010 2nd round pick Brandon Spikes (Linebacker out of Florida) will join McCourty as guys who will need to add much needed youth and energy to this unit...Shawn Crable was a 3rd round pick in '08 but has yet to play due to injury and could be a wild-card to make this team out of Training Camp...2nd year Safety Patrick Chung will likely get a chance to win a job in Training Camp too...

On Special Teams Training Camp will be the first pro look at 2010 5th round draft pick Punter Zoltan Mesko (Michigan) who is sure to be an upgrade over 2009 punter Chris Hanson

New York

Head Coach Rex Ryan addresses team

The J-E-T-S JETSJETSJETS ran the ball better then any other team in the NFL in 2009...the "ground-and-pound" is the preferred style of play for 2nd year Head Coach Rex Ryan...gone are 2 thirds of the RB's picking up those yards...Thomas Jones is now in KC and Leon Washington is in Seattle...2nd year threat Shonn Greene will need to use this Training Camp to continue to sharpen his already impressive running skills, but Greene had zero catches in 2009 which must greatly improve...young QB Mark Sanchez is a good play-action QB and if Greene is to increase his contributions to the offense he will need to become a reliable check-down guy for Sanchez to dump the ball to when the WR's are covered...New York will also be using this Training Camp to get RB LaDanian Tomlinson prepared to share the load with Greene...the Jets will have to find some running plays at the goal line for LT that they can go to as it is likely he that will be the red-zone scorer...Greene had more fumbles (3) then TD's (2) in his rookie season of '09 but that will surely improve greatly...RB Joe McKnight was a nice pick for New York in the 4th round of this years draft...McKnight (USC) is happy to compete on this roster and leave the issues surrounding him and possible NCAA violations behind him...with new WR Santonio Holmes (formerly of the Steelers) serving an NFL 4-game suspension (Substance-Abuse Policy) to start the season that could give Aundrae Allison a chance to further impress the coaching staff during Training Camp...other WR's who will have a chance for early playing time are David Clowney and Jerricho Cotchery...Brad Smith will also get a look to and the other starter will be Braylon Edwards...released 9-time Pro Bowl Guard Alan Faneca will be replaced with either Matt Slauson (who has appeared in 3 games) or 2010 2nd round draft pick OT Vladimir Ducasse out of Massachusetts who could be converted to a Guard

Kyle Wilson

No team blitzes more than the Jets..they play a base 3-4 defense, often putting another person on the line of scrimmage and blitz, leaving the corners in man-to-man...New York has Revis Island aka Darrelle Revis at one corner spot - his 2009 campaign was the best season I have ever seen from a player at that position...Training Camp will provide a glimpse at how much pressure the Jets will be able to apply through their daunting blitz packages as newcomer CB Antonio Cromartie (formerly in San Diego) and 1st round 2010 draft pick Kyle Wilson (Boise State) are the other CB's on this team...both would be the #1 CB on most other teams, but will get to cover the oppositions #2 and #3 WR's as Revis Island will lock down the #1 WR...that has the potential to be as good as it gets in the NFL as far as CB's go...The Jets do have some work to do in their defensive secondary though as the team traded Free Safety Kerry Rhodes to Arizona leaving the trio of  Eric Smith, James Ihedigbo, and former Cleveland Brown Brodney Pool to compete in Training Camp for the job...

On Special Teams will Kyle Wilson be returning punts?..He will have a shot at that job in Training Camp...as far as Kickers go for the Jets it is Jay Feely out and Nick Folk in...Folk was just 18 for 28 in 2009 - Mike Westhoff is the great Special Teams guru in New York and he will have his finger prints on Wilson and Folk during Training Camp so expect big things from them

Miami Dolphins

#1 item for Miami to work on in 2010 Training Camp is establishing a connection between 2nd year QB Chad Henne and newly acquired WR Brandon Marshall...Marshall is an absolute monster, and the best WR in South Florida since Mark Clayton and Mark Super Duper...Henne is the QB going forward for Miami and this Training Camp will be crucial in his development (12 TD's 14 INT's in 2009)

Brian Hartline

Offensive Coordinator Dan Henning will be using this Training Camp to develop the #2 WR's (secondary to Marshall) like 2nd year guy Brian Hartline, Greg Camarillo, and my personal fav Davone Bess


I would like to see TE Anthony Fasano more involved in the passing game...Miami had a nice TD combo when Fasano was the main red-zone target of Chad Pennington, but that did fade in 2009 under Henne...Training Camp is the time, and place to help these two develop their chemistry

Training Camp will be the starting point for the defense of the Mike Nolan era in Miami...Nolan was the Denver Broncos Defensive Coordinator in 2009 and is very respected in the NFL as a very good defensive coach...one player to watch under Nolan is rookie Jared Odrick (Right Defensive End)...3rd year Defensive End Kendall Langford, and 2010 2nd round pick Linebacker Koa Misi are also players who will both have an opportunity to grow under Nolan...Miami will also use Training Camp to get their first look in-person at Inside Linebacker Karlos Dansby (free agent signing from the Cardinals) who will be their new tackle-machine at Inside Linebacker...

Sean Smith

In the Secondary 2nd year Cornerbacks Vontae Davis and Sean Smith have a lot of potential and should flourish under Nolan...with that being said the 'Phins are still in search of a Free Safety, and that battle will likely come down to 2nd year man Chris Clemons vs perhaps Tyrone Culver (slim pickings there)

Mike Nolan and Head Coach Tony Sparano will get a good look in Training Camp at several rookies on defense..Bill Parcels and the rest of the 'Phins management went heavy of defense with their 2010 draft picks looking to improve a unit that was near the bottom of the NFL in '09...

On Special Teams the 'Phins traded Kick Returner Ted Ginn Jr so there will be a battle for KR and Punt Returner...Patrick Cobbs and Devone Bess are currently the likely options but Training Camp will tell story...

Only 2 teams had a lower ranked passing offense than Buffalo in 2009, and one of those teams was the New York Jets who rode #1 running game plus great defense to the AFC Title game...the Bills rode nothing to nowhere...overall the teams Total Yards for 2009 were better than only Oakland and Cleveland...the predictable came (firing of Dick Jauron) and then the more predictable came (the replacing of a re-tread Head Coach - Jauron - with another re-tread Head Coach in Chan Gailey) as the Bills once again remain stagnant as an organization...since the glory days of the Super Bowl runs of the early 90's the Bills have won 1 playoff game in total since losing Super Bowl XXVIII 30-13 to the Dallas Cowboys...

Perhaps no team in the AFC East will benefit more from Training Camp than Buffalo as they have numerous holes to fill...new General Manager Buddy Nix has a lot of work to do to add wins in the Regular Season column (this franchise has won as many as 9 games only once in the 2000's and is averaging a 7-9 record since the 1994 Super Bowl)...this team is looking to get into the AFC playoffs, where they once dominated, but recent history shows a 10 year gap since their last playoff appearance, and 2010 is sure to continue the drought...

C.J. Spiller

First-year Offensive Coordinator Curtis Modkins will be implementing his schemes (through Head Coach Chan Gailey as Gailey has a terrific offensive mind) in Training Camp and will try to have a few Home Run calls for speedy RB C.J. Spiller (#9 overall pick in 2010 draft) who adds a big-play threat to the Bills inept offense...

Also coming to the Bills in the 2010 was Troy QB Levi Brown...we will see what Brown can prove in Training Camp, but if you are like me and have zero faith in any of Trent Edwards, Ryan Fitzpatrick, or Brian Brohm then lets watch the progression of Levi Brown throughout Training Camp and see if he has a chance to climb that depth chart

Bills need a guy like Nelson to develop

Training Camp for Buffalo will be an open audition for a #2 WR to play alongside #1 Lee Evans...lesser-known players like James Hardy, Steve Johnson plus rookie Marcus Easley (UCONN) and my fav  Roscoe Parrish will be given the chance to be the #2...TE Shawn Nelson will try to show in Training Camp that he is ready for more responsibility/playing time...if you are a Bills fan I think he is a player you should be watching for the next month to see if he is a guy to get excited about going forward

 

On Defense the Bills will use Training Camp to develop 2010 2nd round pick Torrell Troup (Central Florida) and 2010 3rd round pick Alex Carrington (Arkansas State)...Troup is a 6'3" 314 pound DT and Carrington is an athletic 6'5" 285 pound DE

Training Camp will be critical for this defense as new Defensive Coordinator George Edwards will be implementing a 3-4 base defense...Buffalo is one of 2 teams (Washington) switching from the traditional 4-3 this season...1/2 the NFL defenses at this point are running the 3-4 defense

The Secondary is a place of strength for Buffalo...very good skill, athleticism, and depth on this unit...the only real Training Camp issue here is getting CB Leodis McKelvin back to game shape coming back from a broken ankle

On Special Teams new coach Bruce DeHaven has good kickers, and there are athletes on this roster that will compete for kick returning duties in Training Camp (Parrish...Spiller amongst them)


check out the other NFL Training Camp previews...all 8 Divisions broken down like this one...


send me an email on this, or any of the other previews...
craig.ballard@hotmail.com

Alex Anthopoulos

My name is Craig Ballard, and I am a Jays fan...

Alright Jays fans...I know we look at the Jays in 27 game segments but it is time to hold our first AA meeting...AA being Alex Anthopoulos...32 year old rookie GM of YOUR TORONTO BLUE JAYS...I am a fan so far...in early October of 2009 Jays President and CEO Paul Beeston made his way to Baltimore where the Jays were in a series vs the Orioles amidst rumors of unrest in the clubhouse vs Cito Gaston...in the process Beeston fired GM JP Riccardi...Beeston summoned for AA to his hotel suite - AA knew he was meeting with the President to be formally informed of what he knew second hand just took place which was the dismissal of JP...after hearing that official word from Beeston AA knew what followed was "meeting adjourned"...instead what followed was Paul Beeston informing AA that the keys to the franchise were now in fact in AA's hands...Anthopoulos told us himself that he didn't see that coming...

On the surface it looks like an odd choice to hire such a young person to head-up your franchise...and that youngster has no MLB experience as a player...but if you look deeper you see that this is hardly unprecedented in the American League...of the 14 GM's in the AL only 2 had MLB careers (ex-Jays outfielder Kenny Williams runs the Chicago White Sox and Billy Beane, who spent parts of 6 seasons as a back-up outfielder, is the boss in Oakland) and notice that the Red Sox-Angels-Rangers-Rays-Twins are all currently contending teams in the AL and all have GM's under the age of 40...

We see the background now of how AA became our leader...now after approx 9 months on the job let's have our first AA meeting and look at some of the results...

My name is Craig Ballard, and I am a Jays fan...

The first off-season for AA saw the GM pluck guys off of what seemed to be the scrapheap...SS Alex Gonzalez...C John Buck...Closer Kevin Gregg...a trade for Brandon Morrow who Seattle seemed ready to give up on...an early season trade for Fred Lewis who San Francisco had certainly given up on...

Plus the signing of Cuban defector Adeiny Hechavarria (significant in that Hechavarria is a sure-fire stud at Shortstop, and at 21 years old provides a bright future at that position...also to land him required out-bidding the New York Yankees and to have that financial commitment from ownership was very encouraging)...

We know this past off-season also was the stage for the Roy Halladay trade...I was a fan of the return on that trade too...Kyle Drabek is currently at New Hampshire (Double-A level) where he recently threw a no-hitter, and is performing to the point where the promotion to AAA Las Vegas is surely immanent...an outfielder named Michael Bradley came back to T.O. in that trade and was subsequently traded to Oakland for first baseman, or third baseman, of the future Brett Wallace (Wallace too has had the type of season that demands a promotion at some point soon - currently at AAA Las Vegas)...Travis d'Arnaud is the 21 year old catching prospect that was the third asset in return for Doc, and d'Arnaud is currently off to a nice start at A-Ball in Dunedin...

Then came the first MLB Entry Draft under the AA regime...do you think AA has a liking for tall tall tall pitchers who have that built-in downward plane to their pitches?!?!  Witness this - AA drafted an amazing 32 pitchers in his first draft...3 are 5'10"...2 are 5'11"...the other 27 are between 6'0" and 6'6"!!!...I have never seen a draft like that before, and although guys like Deck McGuire (6'6") - Aaron Sanchez (6'4") - Noah Syndergaard (6'5") - Asher Wojciechowski (6'4") are not familiar to you now - they will be...this draft class has the chance to provide numerous quality arms in this organization, and AA will have great depth from which to A) trade for MLB position players or B) have as quality/emerging back-fill players for other guys higher up in the organization to be traded...

My name is Craig Ballard and I am a Jays fan...

Now we approach another first for AA...his first Trade-Deadline...

A significant move has already been made...it is a dictionary definition of buy-low sell-high...the surging Alex Gonzalez gets moved to Hotlanta, and in return 27 year old SS Yunel Escobar joins the Jays...Gonzalez is surprising most people this year...the 33 year old leads all MLB SS in HR's...Doubles...Extra-Base hits...the 27 year old Escobar on the other hand is at the absolute bottom of all offensive categories...yet I love this trade...a MAJOR factor for any Jays move is the idea of  is the asset coming back controllable?!?!  Controllable meaning a decent/acceptable annual salary with several years left on the contract...Escobar is under control until after 2013 which is perfect and necessary for AA...Anthopoulos believes in his rejuvenated Scouting Staff and they have watched Escobar in batting practise to make sure that the raw power he has shown in his brief career is still there (he has 0 HR's this year...make that 1...he literally just hit a Grand Slam as I write this!!!)...AA has been assured that all that is required to get Escobar back to being a top SS is a tweak here-and-there in his swing...if that is accurate then AA already has a check mark in a column that went unchecked for the entire 8-year JP Riccardi era...that column being addressing the SS situation short, and long term...between Hechevarria and Escobar AA must feel very good about the direction of that position going forward...JP never could get that situation straightened out...remember JP's first draft pick ever was SS Russ Adams who was supposed to be the Jays SS for many years to come and we know that did not work out...

I look for several Jays deals to go through in the next 2 weeks...AA insists that he is not actively shopping any Jays player, but I certainly believe that a market exists for Lyle Overbay - Scott Downs - Kevin Gregg - John Buck - Jason Frasor, and perhaps someone will wow AA with an offer for MLB HR leader Jose Bautista...as we mentioned before the one thing that all assets returning to the Jays in any deal(s) will have in common are controllable contracts...

If I were AA I would be very concerned with my struggling 4-some of Aaron Hill - Adam Lind - Travis Snider - Yunel Escobar...those 4 are directly tied to the success of this organization going forward and all 4 are having miserable seasons...every Jay will have a new coach next year and AA will likely be looking for a candidate that can continue to improve this high-ceiling pitching staff, but he certainly needs a guy to put those 4 back on track

Thus concludes our first AA meeting but we will have many more...in this city I am a firm believer in the baseball smarts of Paul Beeston and Warren Sawkiw - and both have told me personally that they are very impressed and excited with AA, and the growing sentiment of Jays fans seems to be that we are in good hands going forward with AA

send me an email with your thoughts too...

craig.ballard@hotmail.com

Toronto Raptors

So Raptors fans the summer-o-fun in the NBA has improved several franchises, but has claimed a victim or two as well...YOUR TORONTO RAPTORS are among the victims...so far anyway...T.O. lost Chris Bosh but the return assets may yet be fruitful...the return assets are 2 first round picks (one was Toronto's originally, but it was traded to the Heat in a previous Heat/Raps deal - T.O. will get that pick back from Miami in this trade, and the other 1st round pick is Miami's own draft pick which is likely to be a poor draft spot as Miami will surely have a great Regular Season record and not offer a high or even middle draft spot) and there is potential brewing as Bryan Colangelo also received a $14.5 million Trade Exception (in the NBA the total $$$ value of players traded in any trade must have combined/total salaries within about 10% of each other, so the Trade Exception is $$$ added to the trade to help the total contracts match - it has to be used within 1 year and can only involve 1 player, but the trade can also include $$$ or draft picks)...we just saw the Utah Jazz replace Carlos Boozer in a trade with the Minny T-Wolves for Al Jefferson using the $14.5 mill Trade Exception they received from Chicago in the Carlos Boozer sign-and-trade...The Jazz used the Exception and as a result there were no players off of the Utah roster that went to Minny...Bryan Colangelo will be using the Exception the Raps now have in a similar move...it is almost as good, if not better then having $ for free-agent spending...the Trade Exception puts the Raps in play for guys throughout the Association who have high salaries (the assumption is that a high salary means a player of high talent) but are in need of a change of scenery, either as per them, or as per their current organization...with that said we see that the Raps are now in the trade market which has a lot more players to choose from then just having Cap space to pursue the free-agent scraps still available on the market...

So instead of wondering what free-agents are left to hopefully improve your Raptors you can now expand your imagination to include adding players from other rosters...

If you are a Raptors fan you already know that this team has several deficiencies, and for me the place to surely start is on defense...this team was the worst defense in the Association last season...this team was also 19-0 when holding an opponent under 100 points so when they actually did defend the results were ideal...seems easy to me to want to start the re-tooling of this franchise with defensive upgrades...so far though the off-season moves (overpaying Amir Johnson and trading Türkoğlu for Leandro Barbosa) do nothing to address that so we will need to hope that the Trade Exception can bring back an asset that can address the defense on this unit...I would submit that the draft day additions of Ed Davis and Solomon Alabi pictured here doing battle vs each other in the NCAA will help the interior defense, but more will be needed as we know that rookie big-men in the NBA often find themselves with foul trouble issues which does affect their playing time...not long ago we thought that BC had added Tyson Chandler and Boris Diaw to really help address the interior, but Air Jordan put an end to that good news story...so who are the guys out there that we can speculate/hope the Raps can add with the Trade Exception?

For me I have my hopes set on big-men who can provide consequences at the rim on defense (teams ran lay-up drills vs Toronto last year - we hoped Reggie Evans would help out but due to injury the jury is till out on Evans)... I am looking at guys like LaMarcus Aldridge / Marcus Camby (Portland)...Paul Millsap (Jazz)...Marc Gasol / Zach Randolph / Hasheem Thabeet (Memphis)...David West (New Orleans)...Antawn Jamison / Anderson Varejo (Cavs)...Chris Kaman (Clippers)...Kenyon Martin (Nuggets)...Andris Biedrins (Golden State)

If you are more interested in improving the Raps on the wing here are some Small Forwards to consider...James Posey / Peja Stojaković (New Orleans)...Gerald Wallace (Bobcats)...Trevor Ariza (Houston)...Andrei Kirilenko (Jazz)...

There may be Shooting Guards available if you feel that DeMar DeRozan requires more time to develop a complete game (and are underwhelmed with the other Shooting Guards on this roster like Marco Belinelli and Sonny Weems)...guys like Stephen Jackson (Bobcats)...Jason Terry (Mavs)

Anything there to interest you?

I am in the minority in that I still have good hopes for Andrea Bargnani...at 24 years old his best days are still to come...if you consider him a Dirk Nowitzki-type of player then consider that Disco Dirk became the stud as we know him around this age...the only bright spot I can point to for Jay Triano as a Head Coach is that Bargnani has shown consistency and improvement under Triano's lead...I am a big believer that his development has to, and will continue...as Andrea is not a force on the defensive end despite being 7 feet tall the need for a gritty, legit shot blocker under the rim is magnified

The Guard spot is interesting currently as Leandro Barbosa pictured left will surely get playing time and he has shown himself to be the Brazilian Blur when healthy...he does play the same position as DeMar DeRozan so between the 2 of them the Raps have quick/athletic/attacking Shooting Guards who both need to improve their jump shots...Raps also need improved consistency from Marco Belinelli and Sonny Weems in order to justify playing time for them at the now crowded Shooting Guard spot (could either of them be in a Jose Calderon/Reggie Evans package?!)...running the offense currently is Jarrett Jack and Jose Calderon...we know that BC tried to trade Calderon to Charlotte with Reggie Evans for Tyson Chandler and Colangelo-drafted Boris Diaw but Bobcats owner Michael Jordan re-nagged...awkward for any team to have a player(s) know that the organization tried to trade them only to have the other team nix the deal...Jose must be playing a waiting game at this point as he is clearly on the trade market as the Raps look to use him to get a different kind of asset in return...looks like the team will be run by Jarrett Jack...I do not mind that but I certainly wonder who will be added by BC to compliment Jack at the PG spot...I am underwhelmed with current back-up Marcus Banks and his $4.8 mill, and I am underwhelmed by Jose Calderon´s OLÉ approach to defense so I am all for a shake-up with Toronto`s Point Guards...

So where we are currently is that our team is guided by a Point Guard who may be better served as a back-up...a 2nd year Shooting Guard that needs improvement in a lot of areas...a team with no real quality Small Forward...and the big-men spots are Bargnani plus an overpaid Amir Johnson with Reggie Evans and Joey Dorsey...(side note - WHY folks did BC give Johnson a 5 year / $34 mill contract recently for this career 4.8 points per game player?!?!  WHO was he negotiating against?!?!  Often times if you are a Canadian team in various sports we know that you have to overpay as the cost of doing business to get players to come north of the border, or to stay here, but in this case what other team was offering Amir $7 mill per season?!?!)

GOOD LUCK Mr Colangelo...as I have written here before the list of GM's that are better then you and doing a better job than you is growing every day (ESPECIALLY now that a guy like Kevin Pritchard is free from his Portland job...great GM)...the franchise was once thought to be in good hands with you but Raps fans are as disgruntled currently as they have ever been...and it is your poor moves that have put us in this place so all eyes are on you to rectify this sinking situation...(final side note here...for me BC has to be held accountable for the numerous poor trades (may never recover from the Jermaine O'Neal trade)...poor free agent signings (he lost me the day he signed Jason Kapono to that big contract)...poor timing of the firing of Sam Mitchell, and to have Jay Triano as your Head Coach is really really really weak...for me the time to make the inevitable move on firing Triano was right after the season ended as that would have perhaps had them in the Tom Thibodeau hunt, but alas he signs on with Chicago and that city just got a GREAT up-and-coming Head Coach where we are still left with a glorified assistant running our on-court product and that is BC's fault)

keep sending me your thoughts/feedback...always welcomed and appreciated

craig.ballard@hotmail.com

NBA free-agency maaadness

R.I.P. NBA as we knew it...sort of...the summer-o-fun is off to a massive start...in the T-Dot was it ever conceivable that this city would have more hate for someone than Vince Carter?!?!  I sure am down on Chris Bosh and I am in the majority...on a larger scale how did the once Golden Child of the NBA LeBron James pass #1 hated Kobe Bryant as the top villain in the Association?!?!...Raps (CB4) Cavs (Bron Bron) Suns (Amar'e) Jazz (Carlos Boozer) all lose a franchise-type guy and get zero players in return...heck even the Knicks got talent like Anthony Randolph plus 2 other NBA players for David Lee...Paul Pierce and Disco Dirk both opted out in order to re-sign for less per-year so what will those franchises do to further surround those studs with more firepower?...Cavs owner Dan Gilbert firing an all-caps barrage at his former star...and Pat Riley strikes again...NBA is where amazing happens - until next year when the Collective Bargaining Agreement expires and we have a lockout (seriously it's coming)

Of the things written above that we will look specifically at let's start with Pat Riley...he stacked Titles at the helm of the Showtime Lakers of the 80's...if it wasn't for #23 in Chicago he could have really competed for championships - plural - in his Knicks and Heat days of he 90's...orchestrates Shaq trade to pair him with D-Wade in South Beach, and from there follow this - he wins a Title with Shaq - then gets Phoenix to take on that contract in exchange for Shawn Marion - then trades Marion for Jermaine O'Neal (a move the Raptors would do anything to have back) and uses the leverage of that contract coming off the books this summer - THE summer - to help parlay other salary-dump trades to be in this unreal situation of landing Bosh/Wade/LBJ on a roster that had zero sign-and-trade options...with Bosh we know that other teams meant other - BETTER - scenarios...names like Joakim Noah/Anderson Varejo/Andrew Bynum/Luis Scola/Shane Battier/David Lee were all hot-and-heavy rumours at one point or another in exchange for CB4, but Riley gets Bosh and James for only draft picks...I wrote a few weeks ago that Riley had this unthinkable plan back then, and Alonzo Mourning, who works in the Heat organization, said recently that he knew for some time now that the 3 were headed to the Heat...Pat Riley!

All right now on to the NBA's newest Big 3...

Why this will work...

for me this is a small list but of course we want to examine all angles and all sides here...LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are special Superstars...special in that they are obsessed with making the right decision with the basketball irregardless if that means they are getting theirs, or creating for a teammate...they clearly create late-game issues for opponents as they will have a choice between the 2 of them as to who has the weaker defender on them for a last second shot...either can take and make game winners...As for Bosh that collective "WHAT?!?!" you heard during the Wednesday Wade/Bosh espn interview to announce their intentions to be Heat players came from north of the border as Chris Bosh declared that Wade is a "winner" (true) and that he too is a "winner" (pardon cest moi?!?!)...were you able to find anyone in Canada who agrees with that?...truth is Bosh is absolutely not a winner but in this scenario he gets to ride 2 amazing coattails which suits his game and personality perfectly...a piece yet to fall in place for the Heat is the signing of Derek Fisher...now I personally believe that D-Fish will re-up in LA but the Heat and Riley are in hot pursuit of the perfect fit at PG for this unit...even LeBron made sure to meet with Fisher for a bit in the airport in Miami where Fisher was landing to meet with Riley and James was departing for New York to be in Carmelo Anthony's wedding...James is smart enough to know that what separates him from Kobe these days is Bryant's unparalleled mental game, and no one in this league has a better understanding\insight of that then Fisher...his veteran leadership plus ability to impart Kobe-type wisdom and approach to the game will benefit James immensely...this Heat team is public enemy #1 and thus will have immense pressure on them and Fisher is the perfect leader to remain calm and guide his team through any storm

Why this won't work...

Where to start...well lets look at these names - Chris Quinn - Jamal Magloire - Juwan Howard - Earl Watson - Etan Thomas...these are the types of names\players that Miami will have to fill out their roster with due to the obvious lack-of-funds left after signing the Big 3...plus current Heat players like Mario Chalmers, Joel Anthony, and their 2010 draft picks Dexter Pittman, Jarvis Varnado, and Da`Sean Butler...not a lot there to be excited about...

With or without LeBron this Heat club was in desperate need of a legit 7-foot shot blocking Center plus a minimum of 1, likely 2 shooters (looks like they will sign Mike Miller which is nice but he plays LeBron`s position so to get him playing time Heat coach Erik Spoelstra will have to be creative and play guys in different positions)...adding LeBron does nothing to address those areas, in fact leaves little $$$ to address those areas...

For Wade and James they were each eliminated by the Boston Celtics this year and both were victim to the Rajon Rondo coming out party where RR did whatever he wanted, went wherever he wanted, and created whatever he wanted for himself and\or teammates...plus the Celtics have an overwhelming play-off defense...for me the Big 3 signing with Miami does nothing to address that...is Mario Chalmers the answer to Rondo...no sir...even if they sign D-Fish at 36 years old is he the answer to Rondo?  Doubt it...that also leaves Chris Bosh as the #1 defender at the rim vs Garnett\Perkins\Davis...hey good luck with that (Miami is going to find out at some point what a horrible defender Bosh is)

And what about the Chicago Bulls...this Heat team has no answer for Derrick Rose and again have Bosh to defend a front court of Joakim Noah (Noah will outwork Bosh every single possession) and Carlos Boozer...hey good luck with that part II

The Orlando Magic offer an All-Star Point Guard in Jameer Nelson - no answer from Miami - plus Bosh to shut down Dwight Howard...hey good luck with that part III (side note - Howard is approx 2 years away from complete control of this league...when Kobe leaves the NBA it will not be LeBron James' league but in fact D12...take a look at the history of the great NBA Center's and they take their games to that unstoppable level around 28 years old...Howard will be 25 next season and already at a beast level)...Raptors fans saw Howard dwarf Bosh in the play-offs multiple times...and it may be on deck for Heat fans in the summer of 2011 in a playoff series with state rival Orlando...

Boston (Doc Rivers) Chicago (Tom Thibodeau) will be foes for Miami in the East and both have significantly better coaches than the Heat`s Erik Spoelstra...not to mention guys like Phil Jackson (Lakers) Greg Popovich (Spurs) Rick Carlisle (Mavs) in the West

The 2 biggest sub-plots in the Association this year are 1 and 1A...

1 is the Miami Heat are the most hated team in the NBA and I truly wonder if the Big 3 could have seen this coming...their management teams surely would have been smart enough to have their clients understand the probability of some backlash, but did anyone see this coming?

1A - the Collective Bargaining Agreement expires after this upcoming season...this could be huge for the Heat...heck this could be huge for all of us NBA fans as a lockout\work stoppage is coming in about 11 months...for the Miami Heat the end results of the work stoppage, and what the new CBA looks like will be of CRUCIAL importance...we already know that Miami has to convince several contributors to come to South Beach for the NBA minimum salary but what if the Owners get the Hard Salary Cap with no Exceptions that they will be insisting on?!?!  (an Exception being like a Trade Exception or a Mid-Level Exception where NBA teams who are already over the Salary Cap can still use Exceptions for trades or to add free-agents)  A hard cap would mean that once you are at the cap max then sorry about your management decisions because that is it...no additions for you...meaning whatever scrubs the Heat surround the Big 3 with this year will be theirs for years to come with no room to add any other players...that could take the Heat from the euphoria they feel currently to a whole lot of "ahhhh crap", especially from the Big 3

Now we know that the Heat`s Big 3 are impressive, but that will do nothing to deter several teams in the East (Celtics\Magic\Bulls will all have the BRING IT ON approach vs the Heat) and if the Lakers can win the West for an amazing 4th straight year they will be confident in a Finals date with anyone out of the East (Lakers beat the best defence out there this year and will feel that they can beat anyone)

UNREAL start to the 2010-2011 NBA season! 

Drop me an email on this or any other blog entry previous....

craig.ballard@hotmail.com