Photo Credit: Mark Konezny/USA TODAY Sports.
With summer starting to come a close, getting back to school and wearing sweaters instead of shorts keep haunting a lot of minds. However for football fans, the season is finally coming back and with another season bring another round of training camp. This round, the AFC is up and first is the AFC East.
Buffalo Bills: With no Superbowl titles under their belt, it’s hard to get too excited about the Bills and training camp is starting off a little iffy for them too. QB EJ Manuel did not impress, lacking the accuracy and decision-making needed, but it looks like back-up QBs Matt Cassel and Tyrod Taylor are getting a chance to show off their chops. Cassel has years of experience to help him along, but Manuel has the eagerness of a young player. So far, there is not a direct answer on who will be the head QB right now.
Wide receiver Sammy Watkins is going to help the offense greatly, because of how physical of a player Watkins really is. Watkins was cast off with most of the 2014 draft class, but Rex Ryan is certainly excited for what Watkins is doing now, “Sammy can do everything,” Ryan said. “I mean, I’ve never seen it. He literally lifted the guy up off his feet and was driven back like 10 yards. I’ve never seen it in all the years coaching so that was impressive”. Along with Watkins, LeSean McCoy is also turning heads at camp. McCoy has adjusted seamlessly into the Bills offense and with his physicality and freak athleticism, he is finally getting a chance to broaden his horizons.
Miami Dolphins: One of the biggest storylines for the Dolphins this offseason is the signing of Ndamukong Suh and clearly the hype is all true. Suh has beefed up the defense in the best way, but S Reshad Jones and CB Will Davis both intercepted Tannehill. Speaking of Tannehill, his big contract extension has seemed to only better the QB. As someone who has struggled with accuracy in the past, Tannehill is spending this training camp improving on past weaknesses.
The offense seems to be working well with Tannehill too, especially Greg Jennings and Jordan Cameron. It looks like the offensive line and Tannehill are finally starting to develop some chemistry and comfortableness with each other. In terms of rookies, RB Jay Ajayi is still adjusting the speed of the NFL and it looks like Miami will have to mold him into what they need before he actually has a chance at making the starting line.
New England Patriots: Even though training camp seems to be the least of the Patriots worries right now, it is underway! Clearly, most eyes are on Tom Brady which has not seemed to affect the QB whatsoever. Brady spent most of the training camp, working with the first-teamers and taunting the defense, trying to push them even harder. Brady’s replacement for the first 4 games so far, Jimmy Garoppolo had his fair share of time spent with the first-teamers, but most reps were given to Brady.
The rest of the offense seems to be unaffected by “deflategate” especially wide receivers, Aaron Dobson and Danny Amendola. Amendola is projected to start as the team’s kick returner and Dobson worked one-on-one with Brady which is excellent for Dobson’s possibility of being a starter after a less than stellar 2014 season. The Patriots first-round draft pick, Malcolm Brown had a rocky start to camp, but it looks like he could be a starter since he has been playing with first-teamers.
New York Jets: Quarterbacks are certainly not a strength for the Jets, but so far Geno Smith seems to be doing alright. Fortunately, it wasn’t an interception or a turnover, but Smith held the ball for too long and was sacked. Smith had some high points too which included a pass to WR Brandon Marshall and completing over half of the passes he threw. Not a great start, but not the worst start either. The defense is really shining with Leonard Williams there, especially with Sheldon Richardson’s suspension looming. Williams is really stepping up to the plate and it looks like the starting position will go to Williams.
However, not all rookies are having the same luck as Williams. QB Bryce Petty still has a long way to go before actually starting a game with 2 interceptions and WR Devin Smith will be out for at least a month with a punctured lung and broken ribs. Like a few other teams, the Jets are bringing virtual reality technology to their field which can only aid the team.
