Summer theater: Five hot dramas spice up training camps
From Denver's quarterback decisions to Cincinnati's diva receiver sideshow, it promises to be lively across the leave as preparation begins for the 2010 season.
Clifton Brown
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Wednesday, Jul. 28, 2010 - 8:00 p.m. ET
All 32 NFL teams will be in training camp by Sunday, and there are enough dramas simmering around the league to make the summer even hotter, including:
Broncos' QB battle royal
Brady Quinn's wingmen Tim Tebow (15) and Brady Quinn (8) are developing.
"Brady Quinn is not a natural passer, but he's a big strong kid who has a passion for the game," NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said. "Ultimately, given enough reps, he could be an average to slightly above average starting quarterback.
"As for Tebow, you're talking bigger risk, bigger reward. You know the intangibles -- great leader, tough kid, players will rally around him. You don't know if he will ever overcome the mechanical issues well enough to be a big-time player."
The Broncos traded up in the first round to draft Tebow, but Mayock says Tebow is at least two years away from being ready to start. No matter how Orton and Quinn perform, Mayock says Tebow should not be rushed.
"If you look at Aaron Rodgers a few years ago, people were upset that he fell in the draft to the Packers but he had an opportunity to learn behind one of the greatest quarterbacks who ever played," Mayock said. "When Rodgers stepped in, he became a high-level quarterback very quickly.
"Every rep Tebow takes this year is critical, and he doesn't need to take them with the added pressure of having to win games. Maybe next year he can compete for the starting job. But not now."
Big Ben's big void
The Steelers open camp knowing QB Ben Roethlisberger will be suspended for the first at least four and possibly six regular-season games. But star safety Troy Polamalu does not accept that the Steelers will struggle in September.
"It's adversity that we're going to face, but it's nothing we haven't faced before," Polamalu said. "We've played games without Ben. We understand as a defense that we have to step up."
Albert's angst in D.C.
After meeting Wednesday with coach Mike Shanahan, Albert Haynesworth says he will report to Redskins camp Thursday. But will he accept his new role as a nose tackle, or balk and become a distraction?
"It's easy to talk the game, but we'll see what he does in practice," Shanahan told reporters Wednesday. "I haven't talked to our players. I think all players are very consistent in their feelings: They're hoping Albert's in great shape, plays like heck, helps our football team win. Our players would accept that. But he's going to have to buy in."
The Ochocinco-T.O. Show
The Bengals' buzz factor went up dramatically with Tuesday's signing of Terrell Owens. Can QB Carson Palmer keep diva receivers Owens and Chad Ochocinco happy? And does the signing of Owens improve or hurt the team's chances or repeating as AFC North champs?
The Favre watch
Most expect Vikings QB Brett Favre to play in '10, but as his annual tradition he is making everyone wait and wonder. Said Mayock: "I'd be flabbergasted if he doesn't come back."
This story appears in July 29's edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only digital sports daily, sign up today.
Senior writer Clifton Brown covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at cliftonbrown@sportingnews.com.
Comments (9)
TO makes the Bengals better...on the field...at least initially...until he isn't happy. The problem is not knowing whether that's 3 games, 10 games, all season. If there's no TO tantrums, then yes the Bengals will be a better team.
One by one...
Tebow isn't doing himself any favors by not signing fast.
The Steelers won't be in any real trouble when week 7 (or 5) rolls around.
The wideouts should be worried about keeping Palmer happy.
Albert is definitely a jerk.
Brett is probably a jerk.
Chad and T.O. on the same team....let the fun begin.
Orton has NOTHING to worry about. The mighy Quinn couldn't even keep the starting job in Cleveland, he's nothing more than a career cilpboard carrier. And Tebow is a project at this point in time, he's just not ready to be a starter in the NFL yet. Although that could change. Nobody really knows what to expect outta him at this point in time.
1. Tebow could be the new Bobby Douglass (look him up).
2. Big Ben is piece of crap, but the Steelers will be fine.
3. T.O. is poison and it will kill the team.
4. Haynesworth will never really commit to a team.
5. Favre will play and the Vikings will be strong.
someone please explain to me why the steelers will be fine without rapinburger, holmes, the achilles tendon oline guy who went down, and an aging suspect defense in a division with the ravens who look like a juggernaut, the bengals who have been in the playoffs and the browns who whipped em last year? i think youse guys might be a little optimistic, especially if statuewich loses 4 to start. OMG, palamalu has a bum knee too!
Caption of the Tebow/Quinn/Orton picture fails.
shore duz
Scurds lest you forget my Alzheimered amigo, we have a PROUD and winning tradition in the Steel City (unlike ST.LOUIS).
We Don't wear BAGS over our heads while attending a game, Like in ST.LOUIS.
And we don't have to visit the local land fill to retrieve our jerseys, unlike in ST.LOUIS.
Just to sum it UP,THEIR NOT YOUR RAMS.
And you really need to get over Jan 20, 1980. Harboring all that hate for 30 years is really bad for your health.