NFL training camp: Notes and observations
With all 32 NFL teams now hitting the field with pads on, it’s a fine time to make some notes about what has transpired so far this August.
– The New York Giants don’t need the nonsense from Joe Judge. On Monday, Judge talked to the press about taking names off the backs of jerseys and making both players and coaches run laps for mistakes. This isn’t high school, and most of these players are getting paid more than Judge. If he tells Saquon Barkley to run laps, Barkley might run to the parking lot instead and call his agent. Who could blame him?
– The Kansas City Chiefs are dealing with a bit of early-season injury woes. Nothing too serious it seems, but wide receiver Sammy Watkins and defensive tackle Chris Jones were held out of practice, both dealing with slight muscle pulls. Offensive tackle Eric Fisher is also in concussion protocol.
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Additionally, the Chiefs might be a bit shorthanded defensively when the season starts, as cornerback Bashaud Breeland is dealing with a four-game suspension, while defensive tackle Mike Pennel is apparently also facing a ban. Kansas City should be able to weather the issues, but it’s still an extra challenge in an already difficult summer.
– The early reports are good coming out of Denver on the Broncos’ two rookie receivers, Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler. It’s impossible to know yet how they will translate to actual games. Meanwhile, it’s a positive for general manager John Elway to see promising returns in the early going.
Second-year quarterback Drew Lock needs to have them shine alongside veteran Courtland Sutton. If they do, the Broncos could have a fun offense in 2020.
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– The Dallas Cowboys lost defensive tackle Gerald McCoy to a season-ending quad injury on Monday, a major blow to their defense. Dallas already watched cornerback Byron Jones leave in free agency, and owner/general manager Jerry Jones hoped to compensate with a better pass rush, one helped by McCoy.
The onus now falls on veteran defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and nose tackle Dontari Poe to push the pocket in Big D. If they can’t, the Cowboys will be even more reliant on their offense to win games this fall. The good news? Their offense was the league’s top-ranked unit last year and added first-round rookie receiver CeeDee Lamb to the mix.
