[Elvis]

[Elvis]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/la-sp ... tml#page=1

As NFL teams head into training camp, questions abound

By SAM FARMER

NFL training camps open this week, and questions abound.

Who will start the season as New England's quarterback? Have aging stars who have switched teams improved their odds of winning a Super Bowl? Which franchises are on the rise, and which are on the decline?

Most of the answers will reveal themselves during the next four weeks, when rosters are trimmed and depth charts are solidified.

Twenty questions as the league heads into the dog days of August:

How prepared is New England quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo?

Tom Brady has appealed his four-game suspension, and Commissioner Roger Goodell has yet to issue a ruling on that. In the meantime, Garoppolo has to be prepared to start the first four games of the season. This month, Patriots receiver Brandon LaFell told reporters the second-year Garoppolo has "grown a lot" and, "I'm pretty sure Tom will be in Jimmy's ear helping him prepare each and every way he can to go out here and lead this team." Remember, the Patriots won 11 games with Matt Cassel at quarterback after Brady went down with a knee injury in 2008.

Will Green Bay surpass Seattle as the NFC favorite?

The Packers are 0-3 against Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson, dating to the "Fail Mary" game in 2012, but this could be the season Green Bay claws its way back to the top of the NFC. A couple of factors to watch for at Packers camp are Mike McCarthy handing the play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Tom Clements, and the continuation of Clay Matthews spending more time at inside linebacker than on the outside.

Can the Carson show avoid another cancellation?

The Arizona Cardinals are 16-6 with Carson Palmer at quarterback, so keeping him healthy is paramount. Bruce Arians, named the NFL's coach of the year in two of the last three seasons, did an astounding job leading the franchise to the playoffs last year despite cycling through four quarterbacks.

Is a year off going to take a toll on Adrian Peterson?

Peterson turned 30 this spring, a chronological milestone that often marks a productivity downturn for running backs. He's a freak of nature — witness his spectacular comeback from a devastating knee injury — so he probably still has a lot of tread on his tires. But will there be a psychological hurdle associated with him sitting out all but one game of the 2014 season? Judging by the lucrative contract extension they gave him, the Vikings are betting he'll be just fine.

Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota, which quarterback makes a bigger impact as a rookie?

Tampa Bay's Winston and Tennessee's Mariota were the top two picks this spring, just the second time in 16 drafts quarterbacks were chosen back-to-back at the top. Former Buccaneers star Derrick Brooks has said he plans to communicate with Winston every day to help mold him into a pro. Mariota has gotten rave reviews from his Titans coaches, including for his passing accuracy, but he took a while to sign, finalizing his contract in the third week of July.

Will Darrelle Revis be key to a power shift in the AFC East?

The All-Pro cornerback returned to the New York Jets this spring after a forgettable season with Tampa Bay in 2013, and winning a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots last season. Revis was key in those successful Jets teams under Rex Ryan, and he figures to be just as pivotal in the pressure-heavy scheme of first-year Coach Todd Bowles.

Rams, Raiders, Chargers … who's going to be training in Los Angeles at this time next year?

One or more of these teams could be on the verge of relocating to the nation's second-largest market, with Rams owner Stan Kroenke planning to build a stadium in Inglewood, and the Chargers and Raiders backing a competing proposal in Carson. In a highly unusual move, the NFL has called an Aug. 10-11 owners-only meeting in Chicago to address the future of pro football in L.A. That will set the table for a decision within the next six months.

Is it Super Bowl or bust for Indianapolis?

Of course every team is aiming to win a Super Bowl every year, but the Colts clearly feel they're within striking range. To that end, they signed a couple of impact players who might have a season or two left in their legs — running back Frank Gore and receiver Andre Johnson. Whereas a lot of teams are undergoing youth movements, the Andrew Luck-led Colts are adding some age and wisdom to their locker room.

Do the Chargers finally have their best running back since the heyday of LaDainian Tomlinson?

San Diego was the second team to take a running back off the board, trading up two spots to select Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon with the 15th pick. Gordon rushed for 2,587 yards last year, leading the nation in that category, and should provide a big boost to a team that averaged 3.4 yards per carry last season, second-worst in the NFL.

Is San Francisco headed south?

With Jim Harbaugh gone, new Coach Jim Tomsula starts with a clean slate. That's not necessarily a good thing, as the club has lost a constellation of stars and budding stars — running back Gore, linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland, defensive lineman Justin Smith, and offensive linemen Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati. Has quarterback Colin Kaepernick made enough strides, and does he have enough talent around him, for the franchise to stay competitive? It's showtime for all those young players General Manager Trent Baalke has stockpiled in recent years.

Is Philadelphia Coach Chip Kelly a mad scientist or just plain crazy?

Philadelphia made several dramatic changes this off-season, including getting rid of running back LeSean McCoy, receiver Jeremy Maclin and quarterback Nick Foles, and adding the likes of quarterback Sam Bradford, running back DeMarco Murray and linebacker Kiko Alonso. So much is riding on Bradford, whose last two seasons were cut short by torn knee ligaments. Bradford has said he'll be ready for the start of camp, and in Mark Sanchez the Eagles have a backup who can win games too.

Murray is gone, but will it even matter who's running the ball for Dallas?

The Cowboys have the league's premier offensive line, one that has gotten even better with the addition of rookie La'el Collins. He was considered a first-round prospect this year, but went undrafted when his name was linked to a double homicide. The Cowboys signed him as a free agent, and like what they've seen of him at right tackle and left guard. Murray led the NFL in rushing last season with 1,845 yards. The Cowboys have a trio of backs who will look to pick up that slack — Lance Dunbar, Darren McFadden and Joseph Randle.

What happened to RGIII?

A few years ago, Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III looked as if he'd reinvent the game. Now, after consecutive disappointing seasons, he looks average at best. He threw just four touchdown passes in nine starts last season, quite a comedown from his rookie total of 20 in 15 starts. The Redskins have hired former NFL quarterback Matt Cavanaugh to tutor players at the position, and Coach Jay Gruden says he's already seeing positive results from Griffin.

Pittsburgh can move the ball through the air, but will the Steelers be able to stop the pass?

Ben Roethlisberger has some talented receiving weapons in Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant, so scoring shouldn't be an issue. But for this franchise that historically has leaned on its defense, the big questions are on that side of the ball. That means the young front seven has to step up its game, and the Steelers need to refashion a secondary that's dicey at the corners and is now missing Troy Polamalu, who retired this off-season.

Did the Seahawks make the best move of the off-season?

Trading for New Orleans tight end Jimmy Graham could be huge for Seattle, giving the Seahawks a target they didn't have in that soul-crushing interception in the Super Bowl, and providing all kinds of headaches for opposing defenses. With Marshawn Lynch in the backfield, and the 6-foot-7 Graham ready to pull down a big catch over the middle, the Seahawks have the ideal red-zone combination.

Is this Peyton Manning's last hurrah?

With a big birthday around the corner — he turns 40 in March — Manning begins another campaign for a second Super Bowl ring. He does so with Gary Kubiak as Denver's head coach, and that should be interesting. If history is a guide, Kubiak prefers a run-oriented offense that has the quarterback under center for much of the time, and that hasn't been Manning's style. Something's got to give.

Rex Ryan got off to a great start with the Jets. Can he do the same with Buffalo?

When Ryan took over the Jets in 2009, the club hadn't won a playoff game in four seasons. His teams reached the AFC title games in his first two seasons. The Bills haven't won a playoff game since 1995. Challenge No. 1 for Ryan is finding a quarterback, and so far the trio of EJ Manuel, Cassel and Tyrod Taylor hasn't generated a lot of excitement.

Did Oakland make the right move drafting a receiver with the No. 4 pick?

The Raiders finally have a potential franchise quarterback in Derek Carr, and now they've given him an explosive, sure-handed target in Alabama receiver Amari Cooper. But to get Cooper, they passed on USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams, who would have been a great fit for them too. Sometimes, a defensive player helps a quarterback more than a receiver does. We'll see whether the addition of Cooper does the trick for a team that has been ranked 24th or lower in points scored the last three seasons.

What does the future hold for Giants defensive star Jason Pierre-Paul?

A fireworks mishap on July 4 led to the amputation of Pierre-Paul's right index finger. His future with the Giants was already murky because he hadn't signed his contract tender. There hasn't been a lot of news on his condition, but former teammate Justin Tuck recently told NJ.com that he has been in "constant conversation" with Pierre-Paul and that "he's going to have a great year."

Meanwhile, Tampa Bay cornerback C.J. Wilson, who lost two fingers in a separate fireworks accident, has announced he plans to step away from football at least for the time being, and the Buccaneers have placed him on the reserve/retired list.

Is Johnny Manziel's NFL career salvageable?

It's amazing how quickly things have gone south for Manziel, whose first year was a major disappointment on and off the field. The J.M. who appears far more suited for the Cleveland quarterback job is Josh McCown, more serviceable than spectacular. Manziel did make one wise move this off-season: he's dumping that finger-rubbing money sign he used to do in celebration, a holdover from his heady days at Texas A&M. He's also been tutored by former coach Jon Gruden.

Still, barring an unexpected U-turn, Johnny Football will remain Johnny Bench.

[Elvis]

[Hacksaw]

https://twitter.com/BR_NFL/status/625330665458954241

If he were still a Rams QB his outlook would be far less favorable. We need out team back in LA to get more respectability.

[Elvis]

The ever important Business Insider power rankings. We're #10:

http://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-powe ... windowsapp

NFL POWER RANKINGS: Where all 32 teams stand going into training camp

TONY MANFRED

The NFL season is back!

On the eve of NFL training camps, which begin across the league next week, we put together our first NFL power rankings of the 2015 season.

To make the rankings, we took into account last season's DVOA (an advanced stat from Football Outsiders), roster moves, draft picks, and age.

The top of the rankings will look familiar, but we threw some sleepers we like into the top-10 to mix it up.

1. Seattle Seahawks

2014 DVOA rank: 1st

Key additions: Jimmy Graham (TE), Cary Williams (CB)

Key subtractions: Byron Maxwell (CB), James Carpenter (OL), O'Brien Schofield (LB), Max Unger (C)

One thing to know: The Seahawks addressed their biggest weakness in the Jimmy Graham trade, but they had to sacrifice depth to do so.

2. Green Bay Packers

2014 DVOA rank: 3rd

Key additions: Damarious Randall (rookie, DB)

Key subtractions: Tramon Williams (CB), AJ Hawk (LB)

One thing to know: Don't read too much into their lack of key additions. The Packers never sign free agents, and it has been a wildly effective strategy.

3. New England Patriots

2014 DVOA rank: 4th

Key additions: Brandon Gibson (WR), Malcom Brown (rookie, DT)

Key subtractions: Darrelle Revis (CB), Vince Wilfork (DT), Shane Vereen (RB), Kyle Arrington (CB), Tom Brady for four games? (QB)

One thing to know: Bill Belichick's off-seasons always look like head-scratchers and end up turning out fine, but this one might be different with Tom Brady's status uncertain.


4. Indianapolis Colts

2014 DVOA rank: 12th

Key additions: Andre Johnson (WR), Frank Gore (RB), Todd Herremans (OL), Trent Cole (DE), Phillip Dorsett (WR)

Key subtractions: Cory Redding (DE), Reggie Wayne (WR)

One thing to know: The Colts went all-in with the Gore/Johnson signings. Will they have enough defense to compete?

5. Denver Broncos

2014 DVOA rank: 2nd

Key additions: Shane Ray (rookie, DE), James Casey (TE)

Key subtractions: Julius Thomas (TE), Orlando Franklin (G), Terrance Knighton (DT), Manny Ramirez (C), Rahim Moore (S)

One thing to know: It was a rough off-season in Denver. The Broncos went all-in in 2014 and had to make some financial sacrifices as a result.

6. Baltimore Ravens

2014 DVOA rank: 5th

Key additions: Kyle Arrington (CB), Breshad Perriman (WR)

Key subtractions: Jacoby Jones (WR), Torrey Smith (WR), Haloti Ngata (DT)

One thing to know: The hope is that their secondary will stay healthy in 2015, unlike last year when injuries destroyed them.


7. Dallas Cowboys

2014 DVOA rank: 6th

Key additions: Greg Hardy (DE), Byron Jones (rookie, CB)

Key subtractions: DeMarco Murray (RB), Anthony Spencer (DE)

One thing to know: Avoiding a Dez Bryant disaster was their biggest move of the offseason.

8. Miami Dolphins

2014 DVOA rank: 15th

Key additions: Ndamukong Suh (DT), Greg Jennings (WR), Kenny Stills (WR), DeVante Parker (rookie, WR)

Key subtractions: Charles Clay (TE), Randy Starks (DT), Mike Wallace (WR), Dannell Ellerbe (LB)

One thing to know: A college student at Harvard thinks they're the third-best team in the league!

9. Philadelphia Eagles

2014 DVOA rank: 7th

Key additions: Sam Bradford (QB), DeMarco Murray (RB), Kiko Alonso (LB), Byron Maxwell (CB)

Key subtractions: Nick Foles (QB), Lesean McCoy (RB), Jeremy Maclin (WR)

One thing to know: The Eagles might be the league's biggest wild card. No one would be surprised if they won anywhere from six to 12 games.


10. St. Louis Rams

2014 DVOA rank: 18th

Key additions: Nick Foles (QB), Nick Fairley (DT), Todd Gurley (rookie, RB)

Key subtractions: Sam Bradford (QB), Zac Stacy (RB)

One thing to know: The defense is so good that even a league-average performance out of Foles would put them in line for a playoff spot.

11. Buffalo Bills

2014 DVOA rank: 9th

Key additions: LeSean McCoy (RB), Matt Cassel (QB)

Key subtractions: Kiko Alonso (LB), CJ Spiller (OL)

One thing to know: If the Bills are going to be the sleeper that a lot of people think they'll be, either Cassel or E.J. Manuel is going to have to really improve from how they played last year.

12. Pittsburgh Steelers

2014 DVOA rank: 8th

Key additions: DeAngelo Williams (RB), Bud Dupree (rookie, LB)

Key subtractions: Jason Worilds (LB), Troy Polamalu (CB), Brett Keisel (DE)

One thing to know: The Steelers defense from the late 2000s has been completely turned over. This is now an offense-first team.


13. Cincinnati Bengals

2014 DVOA rank: 13th

Key additions: Michael Johnson (DE), Cedric Ogbuehi (rookie, OL)

Key subtractions: Jermaine Gresham (TE)

One thing to know: Without many impact additions, it's going to be on Andy Dalton to improve to the point where this is a team that can win a game in the playoffs.

14. Atlanta Falcons

2014 DVOA rank: 20th

Key additions: Adrian Clayborn (DE), O'Brien Schofield (LB), Vic Beasley (rookie, LB)

Key subtractions: Osi Umenyiora (DE)

One thing to know: They had the worst defensive DVOA in the league last year. Any improvement could make them interesting.

15. Kansas City Chiefs

2014 DVOA rank: 10th

Key additions: Jeremy Maclin (WR), Ben Grubbs (OL), Marcus Peters (DB)

Key subtractions: Dwayne Bowe (WR)

One thing to know: Their passing game was anemic in 2014. They didn't get a single touchdown catch out of a wide receiver.


16. Arizona Cardinals

2014 DVOA rank: 22nd

Key additions: Mike Iupati (OL), DJ Humphries (OL)

Key subtractions: Antonio Cromartie (CB), Darnell Dockett (DT)

One thing to know: While they had a great record last year, the advanced stats said the Cardinals weren't as good as 11-5 indicates.

17. Detroit Lions

2014 DVOA rank: 14th

Key additions: Haloti Ngata (DT), Manny Ramirez (C), Chris Owens (CB)

Key subtractions: Ndamukong Suh (DT), Nick Fairley (DT), Reggie Bush (RB)

One thing to know: The reason they were the most dominant run-stopping team in football last year was the Suh-Fairley combo. Now they're both gone.

18. San Diego Chargers

2014 DVOA rank: 16th

Key additions: Jacoby Jones (WR), Orlando Franklin (OL), Melvin Gordon (RB)

Key subtractions: Dwight Freeney (LB), Ryan Mathews (RB), Shareece Wright (CB)

One thing to know: After reportedly shopping around Philip Rivers before the draft, San Diego is keeping him and trying to win now.


19. New York Giants

2014 DVOA rank: 21st

Key additions: Shane Vereen (RB), Ereck Flowers (rookie, OL)

Key subtractions: Antrel Rolle (DB)

One thing to know: With little cap flexibility to make moves, this team will be roughly the same as it was last year.

20. Minnesota Vikings

2014 DVOA rank: 24th

Key additions: Mike Wallace (WR), Terence Newman (CB), Trae Waynes (rookie, DB)

Key subtractions: Greg Jennings (WR)

One thing to know: They might be the trendiest sleeper pick in the NFL, which makes them not much of a sleeper at all.

21. New Orleans Saints

2014 DVOA rank: 17th

Key additions: Dannell Ellerbe (LB), Max Unger (OL), CJ Spiller (RB)

Key subtractions: Jimmy Graham (TE), Kenny Stills (WR), Ben Grubbs (G),Curtis Lofton (LB)

One thing to know: During an off-season when many thought they'd try to start the rebuilding process, they loaded up again to make one last run with Drew Brees.

22. Houston Texans

2014 DVOA rank: 19th

Key additions: Brian Hoyer (QB), Rahim Moore (DB), Vince Wilfork (DT), Kevin Johnson (rookie, DB)

Key subtractions: Andre Johnson (WR)

One thing to know: They had one of the worst QB situations in the league in 2014. They're hoping Hoyer will give them some semblance of stablity.

23. New York Jets

2014 DVOA rank: 27th

Key additions: Darrelle Revis (CB), Antonio Cromartie (CB), Buster Skrine (CB), James Carpenter (OL), Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB), Leonard Williams (DT)

Key subtractions: Kyle Wilson (CB), Percy Harvis (WR)

One thing to know: By getting the steal of the NFL Draft (Leonard Williams) and loading up in the secondary, the Jets could be the most improved bottom-six team from 2014.

24. Cleveland Browns

2014 DVOA rank: 23rd

Key additions: Dwayne Bowe (WR), Randy Starks (DT), Tramon Williams (CB) Danny Shelton (rookie, DT)

Key subtractions: Jordan Cameron (TE), Brian Hoyer (QB)

One thing to know: They still don't have a quarterback, which is all that matters.


25. Chicago Bears

2014 DVOA rank: 26th

Key additions: Antrel Rolle (DB), Kevin White (rookie, WR)

Key subtractions: Charles Tillan (CB)

One thing to know: With the amount of money Jay Cutler is making, they had no choice but to keep him in place and hope to improve around him.

26. Carolina Panthers

2014 DVOA rank: 25th

Key additions: Shaq Thompson (rookie, LB)

Key subtractions: Greg Hardy (DE)

One thing to know: With continuing cap issues, they weren't able to improve their dismal offensive line (and for some reason they didn't do so in the draft either).

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2014 DVOA rank: 30th

Key additions: Jameis Winston (rookie, QB), Henry Melton (DT)

Key subtractions: Adrian Clayborn (DE), Josh McCown (QB), Michael Johnson (DE), Dashon Goldson (DB)

One thing to know: The Bucs defensive unit was quietly not terrible last year. If Winston can turn them into a merely bad offensive team rather than the worst offensive team in the league, things could be looking up.

28. Oakland Raiders

2014 DVOA rank: 29th

Key additions: Amari Cooper (rookie, WR), Nate Allen (DB), Curtis Lofton (LB), Dan Williams (DT)

Key subtractions: Denarius Moore (WR)

One thing to know: Oakland was one of the biggest-spending teams in free agency, but it'll be the development of Derek Carr at QB in his second year that dictates how much better they get.

29. San Francisco 49ers

2014 DVOA rank: 11th

Key additions: Darnell Dockett (DT), Torrey Smith (WR), Reggie Bush (RB)

Key subtractions: Jim Harbaugh (coach), Justin Smith (DL), Chris Culliver (CB), Frank Gore (RB), Michael Crabtree (WR), Mike Iupati (OL), Perrish Cox (CB), Patrick Willis (LB), Chris Borland (LB)

One thing to know: Nobody had a worse off-season than San Francisco. They're now in full rebuilding mode.

30. Washington Redskins

2014 DVOA rank: 28th

Key additions: Chris Culliver (CB), Terrance Knighton (DT)

Key subtractions: Brian Orakpo (LB), Ryan Clark (DB)

One thing to know: The reports on Robert Griffin III don't sound great!


31. Tennessee Titans

2014 DVOA rank: 31st

Key additions: Marcus Mariota (rookie, QB), Brian Orakpo (DE), Hakeem Nicks (WR), Perrish Cox (DB)

Key subtractions: Jake Locker (QB), Kamerion Wimbley (LB)

One thing to know: Marcus Mariota was the last 2015 draftee to sign his rookie deal, but he'll be there for training camp.

32. Jacksonville Jaguars

2014 DVOA rank: 32nd

Key additions: Dante Fowler Jr. (rookie, DE), Julius Thomas (TE), Dan Skuta (LB), Jermey Parnell (OL)

Key subtractions: Cecil Shorts (WR)

One thing to know: Their bad luck continued when Fowler had a season-ending injury in OTAs. They're still one of the two worst teams in the league.

[dieterbrock]

"3. New England Patriots

2014 DVOA rank: 4th

Key additions: Brandon Gibson (WR), "

Lol

[OldSchool]

"3. New England Patriots

2014 DVOA rank: 4th

Key additions: Brandon Gibson (WR), "

Lol

They're also depending on Bradley Fletcher.

LOL

[moklerman]

"3. New England Patriots

2014 DVOA rank: 4th

Key additions: Brandon Gibson (WR), "

Lol

How many ex-Rams receivers do they have? Gibson, Amendola, Hoomanawanui...wasn't Fells there too?

My first instinct is to laugh at Gibson being a "key" addition but knowing the F'ing Patriots, he'll be a freakin' pro-bowler and the Rams were just using him wrong.

[dieterbrock]

"3. New England Patriots

2014 DVOA rank: 4th

Key additions: Brandon Gibson (WR), "

Lol

They're also depending on Bradley Fletcher.

LOL

I think the Pats would be better off if Bradley Fletcher was covering Brandon Gibson. Lol

[Elvis]