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10 questions about the actual game of football
By CARL KOTALA
Florida Today
After months of speculation about free agency, trades, the draft, the supplemental draft and, of course, what will happen to the players who got in trouble with the law in the off-season, it's time to return the focus to the game of football itself.
What are the big training camp battles? How will off-season moves affect your team? Who will hold out? And just what the heck was Detroit quarterback Jon Kitna smoking when he predicted the Lions would win more than 10 games this season?
The answers will begin to unfold as players hit the field for practice leading up to the start of the preseason on Aug. 5, when the New Orleans Saints face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Hall of Fame Game. The NFL regular season kicks off a month later when the Saints visit the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 6.
Ten questions to consider as training camps begin:
Question:Can Randy Moss thrive in New England?
Answer:All indications are the man who was once the league's most dangerous receiver has been nothing but a good citizen in New England. Despite all the bashing his reputation took in Oakland, Moss is still all about winning.
New England has strong locker room leadership, and Tom Brady — the best quarterback Moss has ever played with — will see to it that he gets his share of passes thrown his way.
Q: What are the biggest position battles?
A: Teams with quarterback battles include Oakland and Cleveland, where first-round picks JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn will push for playing time. It's unlikely either will start the season, but of the two Russell is the best bet to crack the lineup at some point. Quinn looked shaky in off-season workouts.
Q: Who can we expect to hold out?
A: Disgruntled Chicago linebacker Lance Briggs and New England cornerback Asante Samuel have threatened to hold out until Week 10, but it remains to be seen if they're willing to go that far and give up millions. Kansas City running back Larry Johnson has also threatened to hold out if his demands for a contract extension aren't met.
Then there are the draft picks. It happens every year. There will be a number of first-round picks who won't be there when camp starts. Don't expect Quinn in camp anytime soon.
Q: Which coaches are on the hot seat?
A: Tom Coughlin survived the New York Giants' horrible 2006, but he won't be as lucky if the Giants falter again in 2007. The same goes for Cleveland's Romeo Crennel, who could be followed out the door by general manager Phil Savage if the Browns don't show some improvement.
Tampa Bay's Jon Gruden and Jacksonville's Jack Del Rio have to be feeling a little pressure, too, after leading their teams to the playoffs in 2005 but struggling mightily last season.
And don't think for a second there won't be plenty of heat on Norv Turner in San Diego after the team fired Marty Schottenheimer after a 14-2 regular season.
Q: What about players?
A: They may not be involved in training camp battles, but there are some players who will need to perform well early this season in order to keep their jobs.
A top candidate for that list is Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme. There is a reason the team brought in David Carr to be his backup.
And what list would be complete without mentioning Chicago's Rex Grossman? To his credit, Bears coach Lovie Smith stuck with his quarterback last season. But what happens if Grossman bombs at San Diego in Week 1 and at home against Dallas in Week 3?
Q: Which rookies will shine?
A: While Russell and Quinn will draw a lot of attention, the biggest spotlight may fall on Indianapolis' Tony Ugoh. If reports that left tackle Tarik Glenn is contemplating retirement are true, the job of protecting quarterback Peyton Manning's backside could fall on the second-round pick.
Q: Can the Colts and Bears repeat?
A: It won't be easy. The Colts' defense took a big hit when Brandon Stokley left for Denver, and now Indianapolis could be dealing with the possible loss of Glenn. Throw in a challenging schedule and a conference that includes New England, San Diego, Baltimore and Denver, and the Colts will have their hands full.
As for Chicago, the pressure will be on a defense that did not play nearly as well the second half of the season as it did the first. Cutting Tank Johnson had to be done, but it will hurt up front.
Q: Biggest change of scenery?
A: The New York Jets scored big with their acquisition of running back Thomas Jones, and the Houston Texans are happy to be handing the keys of their offense to new quarterback Matt Schaub. But the biggest move, other than Moss, could be in Baltimore, where running back Willis McGahee will change the way the Ravens run their offense.
Q: So ... what was Jon Kitna thinking?
A: With the addition of wide receiver Calvin Johnson and running back Tatum Bell, plus another season in coordinator Mike Martz's system, he was thinking the Lions could have a top-five offense this season. But 10 or more wins? Sorry, not buying it. Still, the Lions have a chance to be one of the surprise teams of 2007 if their defense comes together.
The team to watch out for could be San Francisco, assuming all the new pieces fit together nicely.
Q: So ... what do the Atlanta Falcons do with Michael Vick?
A: A suspension, by the league or the team, could be forthcoming for Vick, who faces charges related to dog fighting. There have been reports Vick will be asked to take a voluntary leave of absence this season.
New coach Bobby Petrino put together his offense based on Vick's playmaking ability, but don't be surprised if Petrino winds up scaling it down for the much more conventional Joey Harrington.
But eventually, the Falcons and the rest of the NFL will find themselves talking about something else.
It's time to play ball.
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Originally Posted by bigboydan
