NFL

Five things to watch for this NFL preseason

Okay, it’s tough to really get into training camp and preseason in the NFL. Most of the time, preseason games feature late round draft picks and desperate free agents fighting it out for the last spot on the roster. For a football enthusiast, it’s a blast to watch this competitive battle, but for a casual fan, watching paint dry on the wall is much better. In order to liven-up this year’s training camp and preseason, I have created a list of five things to watch for.

5. The Chicago Bears quarterback competition:

Who doesn’t love an old fashion QB competition? In past preseasons, football fans have witnessed great competitions. One that comes to mind is the classic battle between Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Steve Young before the 1988 season. But, Rex Grossman vs. Kyle Orton really doesn’t have the same ring to it.

To the optimist, this will be a grueling competition that will bring the best out of both competitors and will help the winner continue to use that as fuel for a solid season behind center. To the pessimist, this competition will determine who gets benched first.

So why put this competition before the San Francisco 49ers competition, the New York Jets competition, or the Arizona Cardinals competition? Well, the one between Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton is a bit different. You see, this will basically determine Grossman’s fate in the NFL. If Orton wins, Grossman will go from a highly touted first round pick to a bust and career back-up and journeyman.

Prediction: Head Coach Lovie Smith said that this battle is at a dead heat right now. Frankly, it’s hard to predict this one, but I think Grossman’s arm and natural talent will beat out Orton’s game management skills. Having said that, don’t be shocked if both quarterbacks rotate for the starting job throughout the season.

4. Adam Jones (a.k.a. The cornerback formerly known as Pacman):

Yes, don’t call him Pacman now. It’s Adam Jones to you. Since being traded to the Dallas Cowboys, Commissioner Roger Goodell is giving Jones the chance to workout and performing during the training camp and preseason. However, he has not been given the green-light to play in regular season games. Goodell is expected to meet with him in August

So far, he has done and said all the right things by seemingly abandoning the ways of Pacman Jones. Adam Jones has showed up at charity events, sported a clean-cut look instead of his old dreadlocks, received guidance from former greats Jim Brown and Deion Sanders, and is even praying for Don Imus. Wow! Say it ain’t so!

The thing to watch for is whether or not he continues to stay out of trouble. So far, he’s convinced many so-called experts that Roger Goodell will let him play this season. If he does that, the next thing to watch for is whether or not his skills have diminished. The last time he stepped on the field in 2006, Jones was considered a top cornerback with tremendous coverage skills. That season, he intercepted 4 passes on defense, taking one back for a touchdown and scored an additional 3 touchdowns on punt returns. Let’s see if he is able to have that same impact next season. If so, Comeback Player of the Year anyone?

Prediction: Adam Jones will play in 2008 and play well. I’m seeing 3 picks and a punt return for a touchdown. Heck, if he plays at that level while staying out of trouble, Jones just might be Comeback Player of the Year.

3. What will Chad Johnson do?

The flashy wide receiver went from a fun-loving character to a disruptive prima donna over the offseason. Johnson said he would sit out the 2008 season if the Bengals didn’t follow through on his request to be traded to a contender. Head Coach Marvin Lewis and Bengals’ owner Mike Brown refused to let him go despite enticing offers from the Washington Redskins.

In an interview with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, Johnson said that he has decided to play in fear of losing significant amount of money. However, many fear he will remain disruptive. While Johnson says he’ll be at training camp and play the 2008 season, he has also said that the Bengals don’t have a good chance at postseason success and that Carson Palmer would be nothing without Ocho Cinco. That’s not good for the locker room.

Prediction: Chad Johnson will play the entire season. Sure, he might be putting on his best T.O., but he wants to play and continue his success. However, Johnson might be sporting new props this season. Instead of a jacket stitched with the words “Hall of Fame,” he might have one with the words “Trade Me.”

2. Free agent running backs–who gets signed first?

Shaun Alexander, Kevin Jones, Travis Henry, Ron Dayne, Najeh Davenport, and Cedric Benson are looking for jobs…still. It’s shocking that no one has taken a serious look at these guys considering most teams like to have depth at the running back position.

Currently, little on-field news has come up involving these guys. Kevin Jones recently had a workout for NFL teams, Shaun Alexander talked with the New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals earlier in the offseason, and the Houston Texans showed an interest in signing Cedric Benson but have decided to take a different route.

Why are they waiting to play? In the case of Alexander, many consider him to be a washed-up, former shell of his 2005 MVP self. Also, some analysts and coaches have questioned his on-field motivation. Henry, Davenport, and Benson have some character issues and teams seem to be afraid to take that risk since Commissioner Goodell put in new policies that fine teams if players get into trouble. Kevin Jones and Ron Dayne are both considered underachievers. Jones is called one due to setbacks from injuries during his career. Dayne, on the other hand, has performed well but has had weight issues and has not lived up to the hype he received from his Heisman Trophy days at Wisconsin.

Prediction: Kevin Jones is my pick to be the first running back off the market. Coaches from the Dolphins, Packers, Steelers, and Lions all attended his June 28th workout and felt he ran well. Where he winds up is unknown, but his good attitude and determination gives him a slight edge over the others. Don’t be surprised if Alexander, Dayne, and maybe Davenport get offers once running backs start to get hurt in training camp. Travis Henry and Cedric Benson could be on the outside looking in this season, but you never know, some teams are desperate.

1. Brett Favre and the Packers:

Just when you thought Aaron Rodgers was ready to play behind center for the Packers, reenter Brett Favre. Last week, it was reported that Favre had an “itch” to play again. Rumors have been swirling that if the Packers want to move on, Favre would request to be released or traded so he can still play elsewhere. He claims that it is all rumors, but there has been no confirmed denial from him.

So what will the Packers do? Well, if Favre is back, watch to see if Aaron Rodgers will request a trade. Also, see if Favre still has the magic touch he had during his rejuvenated 2007 season. But, if the Packers stick with Rodgers, look to see where the old gunslinger goes.

Dan Pompei, an NFL beat reporter from the Chicago Tribune, said that many teams usually use OTA camps as a way to have quarterbacks adjust to new schemes and systems. If Favre searches for a new team, teams that are interested might hesitate to sign the quarterback for that reason.

A team like the Bears would come to mind when talking about a need for a quarterback. However, as mentioned in #5, the Bears are only focused on having Grossman or Orton as their starting quarterback. The Vikings would also seem like a good fit, but Head Coach Brad Childress would like to see Tarvaris Jackson start games behind center. It is also unlikely that both of these teams will receive Favre’s services since they are both in the NFC North and are the Packers’ biggest rivals.

Prediction: Hey! He’s Brett Favre and anything is possible. I thought Favre was going to retire after the 2006 season. I was wrong. Then, following his magical 2007 season, I thought he would return to the Packers. I was wrong again. See the pattern here?

Having said that, I feel Favre will be suiting up during training camp for the Packers. The 2008 season might not have the same stats as the 2007 season, but he will probably still manage to be effective. Also, Aaron Rodgers might have his agent on the phone with the management to seek a trade.

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