2008 NFL Training Camp and Preseason Thread.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

Colts with the 2nd hardest schedule. That's ok, bring it! It'll come down to Colts-Pats in the AFC most likely anyways. Although there are some other solid teams (Jags, Chargers) as well.

Colts looked soft in the playoff game versus the Chargers. They need to step it up if they want to even have a sniff at the AFC. Especially with the Jags and even the Texans on their heels in the their own division.

[Pagal4321]

Hey OILFAN,
What's your take on the Peyton Manning surgery? And then the subsequent signing of two veteran quaterbacks(Quinn Gray and Jared Lorenzen) in the past 2 days?

[burn_baby_burn]

Media reports in Green Bay refute that Favre had a team issued cell phone.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3502994

According to the report, the sources said there are no indications the Packers have given team-issued phones to any of their players -- and that doing so would violate NFL salary-cap rules unless the Packers included the cost of the phones on their salary cap.

[burn_baby_burn]

Devin Hester is a holding out of Training Camp.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3502200

[Pagal4321]

Well if it's not a team issued phone, how did they get the detailed record of calls to that phone? Especially with such ease?

Devin Hester is an amazing player, and can be a game-breaker, but what do you pay for a STRICT return man? The guy was supposed to get a bulk of reps at WR this year....but if he holds out, the Bears lose probably their "best" WR.

Marty Booker, Mark Bradley, Rashied Davis, Brandon Lloyd, Marcus Monk, Mike Hass, Earl Bennett....your Chicago Bears WR group. YIKES!

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

Well if it's not a team issued phone, how did they get the detailed record of calls to that phone? Especially with such ease?

It was only reported that Favre had used a team issued phone and that the Packers had found calls to the Vikings. It was a Minnesota paper that reported that. And a Green Bay paper that reported otherwise. Who knows? Maybe the Packers will be found in violation of the salary cap. This just keeps getting weirder and weirder.

[Bobblehead]

Rod Smith will reportedly hang them up this afternoon.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story;jsessi...o&confirm=true

[burn_baby_burn]

Training camp must be tough. Seems like more than a few players decide to hang them up on the eve of camp.

[Pagal4321]

Devin Thomas, rookie WR, injured in Washington.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redsk...arted_off.html

So that's Thomas, Daniels and Buzbee injrued in training camp....Daniels and Buzbee are out for the year. Rough way to start the year for the Reskins.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Training camp must be tough. Seems like more than a few players decide to hang them up on the eve of camp.

I dont know if you have Sirius, but former Bears QB Jim Miller is a part-time host of Sirius NFL Blitz(usually with Adam Schein). Last month sometime he touched on this issue, and I found his comments to be pretty interesting. He felt TC was more a thing of the past, from the days when players wouldn't stay in shape in the offseason, and TC was to get them back in playing form. But now the players keep themselves in "playing shape" year round, and TC is mostly just for position battles now, and to teach the younger players the playbook.

He felt that older vets(like a Brett Favre) who have a solidifed position shouldn't have to fully participate in TC, as it doesn't really serve a purpose but wear down their bodies. Miller felt that alot of retiring players would stay and play another season or two if they didn't have to go through training camp, as its just so grueling that they can't physically handle it anymore.

Not saying I agree or disagree, but they were interesting comments nonetheless.

[Bobblehead]

Weren't there a few vets who, for the last couple years they played, wouldn't sign with anyone until the 2-a-days were done? I recall that being remarked when one of them signed (a lineman), and someone said "he hates the 2 a days, so that is why he waits." the other argument is these guys are afraid of getting hurt in meaningless (to them) pre-season games.

Football writers have written many columns mentioning how there should be fewer preseason games, but the owners don't like that idea because they don't want to lose the revenue, especially in football where there are so few games.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Football writers have written many columns mentioning how there should be fewer preseason games, but the owners don't like that idea because they don't want to lose the revenue, especially in football where there are so few games.

I used to be a big proponent of shortening NFL pre-season. But after watching the first couple weeks of the CFL(which are only 2 game pre-seasons) the past couple years, and all the sloppiness that you see, I'm actually ok with 4 pre-season games.

[burn_baby_burn]

Its not like the starters play that much in the four preseason games anyway. As for training camp, I can see why veteran players don't like it. I wonder how much of it has to do with the practices and meetings? Or being away from home for three weeks sleeping in a dorm room?

[Montana Moe]

Reggie looks ripped and ready! Working out at the facility instead of his "free flo do" stuff in L.A. may just be what he needed. Well, that and a healthy Deuce. (McAllister, that is)

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Colts looked soft in the playoff game versus the Chargers. They need to step it up if they want to even have a sniff at the AFC. Especially with the Jags and even the Texans on their heels in the their own division.

They were missing Dwight Freeney and Bob Sanders who are not only their 2 best defensive players, but also 2 of the best defensive players in the entire NFL. No excuses though, Chargers had injuries as well and deserved to win.

In terms of your bolded comment, Indy is a favorite to win the division again so they don't need to step up if they want "to have a sniff at the AFC". They already have a sniff at it as most power rankings have them #2 in the NFL behind the Patriots. They will have to play better though if they want to win the AFC and I think they have the personnel to do so. As mentioned, the Patriots, Colts, Jaguars, Chargers etc are all very good football teams.

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

Hey OILFAN,
What's your take on the Peyton Manning surgery? And then the subsequent signing of two veteran quaterbacks(Quinn Gray and Jared Lorenzen) in the past 2 days?

From what i'm hearing, Manning is out 4-6 weeks from the time he had his surgery. So he now has 3-5 weeks or so left. He'll definately be back for the regular season opener and I think he'll be back for a little of the pre-season as well. I don't think it will effect him much or if at all. In terms of the 2 veteran QB's, that just for insurance. It's always nice to have insurance should something not suspected or planned to occur but Gray/Lorenzen won't get any playing time. Manning will start in week 1.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

In terms of your bolded comment, Indy is a favorite to win the division again so they don't need to step up if they want "to have a sniff at the AFC". They already have a sniff at it as most power rankings have them #2 in the NFL behind the Patriots. They will have to play better though if they want to win the AFC and I think they have the personnel to do so. As mentioned, the Patriots, Colts, Jaguars, Chargers etc are all very good football teams.

I don't know, they have a pretty tough schedule and play in a tough division. New England is probably a shoe in for a first round bye considering their joke of a schedule. I think it will be an accomplishment if the Colts go .500 within the division. Just because they are the favorite doesn't mean it is a forgone conclusion.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Rod Smith will reportedly hang them up this afternoon.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story;jsessi...o&confirm=true

Sad day for this Bronco fan, but I knew it was coming. The guy should be in the Hall of Fame some day, but you have to be from before the 70's or flashy to make it as a wide receiver. I'll be shocked if he makes it. His numbers are great. Undrafted to boot.

849 recetions, 11389 yards, 69 touchdowns, 2 rings.

No brainer IMO.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Just spent 30 mins watching Rod Smith's press conference and realized how freaking lucky the Broncos were to get this guy.

He actually thanked the Raiders, Chiefs, Chargers and Seahawks and all of their fans! Seriously.

Great story in that he wasn't drafted and the Broncos cut two first round draft picks to keep him.

[flames_1987]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

I don't know, they have a pretty tough schedule and play in a tough division. New England is probably a shoe in for a first round bye considering their joke of a schedule. I think it will be an accomplishment if the Colts go .500 within the division. Just because they are the favorite doesn't mean it is a forgone conclusion.

Forgive us colts fans for having some faith in our team to once again win the afc south. For the last 4 years people keep talking about the jags or texans taking over the colts and it's yet to happen. All be it there solid teams, but the jags run there mouths ever year and never are able to get over the hump.

Colts were the most banged up team in the nfl last year. Getting everyone back without losing any major starters for the second youngest team in the league, forgive me for picking the colts to once again finsh on top of the afc standings.

No doubt this team has there question marks in terms of health, but theres a reason they've been one of the top 2 most consistant teams in the nfl the last number of seasons.

[CaramonLS]

So where is T99 now? Favre looks pretty much done as a Packer.