Marshawn Lynch is back and ready to run through defenses again.
By John Sarianides
Training camp is upon us now that the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals have reported to training camp this weekend. The two teams reported to camp early because they will be playing in the Hall of Fame Game next month.
There are several major storylines heading into training camp. Here are ten storylines to keep an eye on as training camps across the NFL open up this week.
1. The Patriots Are a Lock to Get to Super Bowl LII: On paper, yes. In reality, NO! The NFL season is a marathon, not a sprint. A lot can happen between now and December. We have been here before with the Patriots. See 2007.
2. Broncos Quarterback Situation: Will it be Trevor Siemien or Paxton Lynch? The Broncos need to figure out who their starting quarterback will be heading into the 2017 season.
Siemien has the experience advantage but Lynch is more talented. The Broncos have the requisite pieces in place to make a Super Bowl run. They need to figure out who will get them there.
3. Is Marshawn Lynch in Football Shape? We will find out once the pads go on. Lynch looks like he is in great shape. He was impressive in mini camp and OTA’s so there is no reason to believe he won’t be ready to go come training camp. He can still play.
4. Falcons Super Bowl Hangover: I cannot imagine that the Falcons have completely gotten over their Super Bowl LI meltdown against the Patriots. There still has to be a lingering affect. Dan Quinn and company are saying the right things but I don’t buy it until they take the field again and prove they are over it.
5. The Steelers Defense Must Prove They Are Championship Material: The Steelers defense was humiliated by the Patriots in the AFC Championship game. Pittsburgh has enough talent offensively to win the AFC and get to a Super Bowl. It is their defense that needs to prove they are good enough to get them there.
6. Who is the Best Team in the NFC?: I cannot answer that question right now. Is it the Falcons? Packers? Seahawks? Cowboys? Giants? Or, could it be a team that comes out of nowhere? Training camp will go a long way in giving us a better idea.
7. The Sean McVay and Jared Goff Dynamic in L.A: 31 year old Sean McVay was hired by the Rams to develop second year quarterback Jared Goff. It will be interesting to see how McVay handles Goff and what are some of the changes he makes to a Rams offense that was stuck in the 70’s under Jeff Fisher.
8. The Bucs, Titans Bandwagon is Filling Up: The Bucs and Titans are sexy picks to win their respective divisions and make the playoffs. Their bandwagons are filling up fast so make sure you jump on before it is too late! Both teams have talented quarterbacks and rosters. There are expectations on them for the first time in a long time.
9. Coaches On The Hot Seat: John Harbaugh, Chuck Pagano, John Fox and Marvin Lewis will all be asked job security questions at some point this summer. They will give cookie cutter, coach speak answers but their jobs are clearly on the line and it is playoffs or bust for all four of them.
10. Familiar Faces in New Places: There will be plenty of familiar faces in new places this summer. Tom Coughlin and Calais Campbell in Jacksonville. Marshawn Lynch in Oakland. Brock Osweiler in Cleveland. David Harris in New England. T.J Lang in Detroit. Eddie Lacy in Seattle. My point is. There are a lot of coaches and players that we are used to seeing on teams that changed addresses this off-season.