NFL Training camp 2019: Notes and observations so far

NFL Training camp is only a week old thus far. However, we’ll whip around the 32 NFL teams and see what’s going on, and what catches our eye. Below we discuss 5 teams to keep an eye on during NFL training camp.

• The Cincinnati Bengals must be breathing a huge sigh of relief over A.J. Green. Yes he tore ankle ligaments and is likely going to miss a few games come the regular season, but at least he’s not gone for the year. Look, it’s a rebuilding season for there Bengals, and Green, 31, has only this year remaining on his contract. It makes all the sense in the world for the Bengals to trade him come the deadline, and he’s the one asset they could get a nice haul for. If he would have been out for the year, that possibility is gone, and Green is likely trying to reset his value instead of cashing in.

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• The Oakland Raiders might have a star in Jonathan Abram. Oakland has been desperately trying to find some talent on the defensive side of the ball since it traded outside linebacker Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears a year ago. Abram has only played a few practices, but there’s a belief coming out of Napa that he could at least be a fixture in the secondary for years to come.

• So far, no major injuries. We’ve already covered the situation with Green in Cincinnati. Beyond that, we’ve been fortunate not to see someone of major note going down with a torn ACL. The closest we’ve gotten to it was the unfortunate knee injury to Atlanta Falcons safety J.J. Wilcox. For the most part, though, we’ve seen the teams getting through camp without the ugliness which tends to dot the arrival of all the teams.

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• The Miami Dolphins firmly believe Ryan Fitzpatrick is the starting quarterback at this point. Head coach Brian Flores went on the record to media, saying Fitzpatrick is clearly the better player over Josh Rosen at this juncture. While it’s not surprising a grizzled vet would be farther along than a second-year player on his second team, it is surprising to see the Dolphins publicly bury Rosen like that. If Rosen actually ends up sitting behind Fitzpatrick for even one game, it says volumes about. the youngster who Miami gave up draft capital for.

• Keep an eye on the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense. Wait, what? Yes, the maligned unit is now under the watch of Steve Spagnuolo, and it’s undergoing a huge transformation. The Chiefs added Frank Clark and Tyrann Mathieu, subtracted Eric Berry, Dee Ford and Justin Houston, and are going from a 3-4 scheme to the 4-3. So far, things look good, and rookie safety Juan Thornhill continues to turn heads.