Photo Credit: Benny Sieu/ USA TODAY Sports
With the Green Bay Packers being one of the top candidates to make it to Superbowl 50, it’s hard to analyze the 3 other teams. Although out of the four, the Packers have had the worst luck during training camp, but only time will tell who will clinch the division this year.
Chicago Bears: Similar to the Washington Redskins, all eyes are on their quarterback. Jay Cutler threw 24 turnovers last season but hasn’t thrown any in camp yet which is a good sign. An interesting takeaway from camp is that HC John Fox is not simply focusing on line and giving his assistants more a chance to work with their respective squads.
Last season, OLB Lamarr Houston tore his ACL, but that hasn’t seemed to hold him back during camp. It looks like Houston is back and it seems as if his injury has motivated him, leading to having a stellar camp so far. Bears second-round pick, DL Eddie Goldman is still trying to find his place in the Bears line even though he knows he must improve to get a starting spot.
The Bears are really benefiting from their new additions, Alan Ball and Eddie Royal. Ball is a CB from Jacksonville who is adding more depth to the defensive line especially with his veteran status and after being watched at camp looks to be one of Chicago’s top corners. Royal is a wide receiver from San Diego who is impressing Cutler, “I’ve known Eddie for a long time,” Cutler added. “I think, over the years, he has gotten better. He knows how to beat a coverage.” These two addition should add a new depth to Chicago’s roster that is much needed.
Detroit Lions: The Detroit Lions offensive line is dominating their camp this year, especially the rookies. Detriot has added a lot of new young talent to their roster but isn’t discrediting their older players like Calvin Johnson, Darryl Tapp, and DeAndre Levy. Johnson made sure the cornerbacks knew who he was and Tapp’s energy on the field is not easily matched. With Levy’s new contract extension, he seems more than motivated even strip sacking Stafford.
The young talent includes WR Eric Ebron, first-round pick G Laken Tomlinson, fifth-round pick Michael Burton and second-round pick RB Ameer Abdullah. Ebron made multiple stellar catches from Stafford including one over LB Stephen Tulloch. Tomlinson is finally getting his chance with the first-teamers and could possibly overtake Manny Ramirez as a starter. Burton has been performing solidly and could be Detroit’s starting fullback, but the real star out of them all is RB Ameer Abdullah. Abdullah is by far the best RB on Detroit’s roster right now, has the ability to play both a running back and receiver and is a strong athlete who is most definitely earning his starting spot.
Green Bay Packers: Although it might be too early to make predictions, the Packers are looking a little not like themselves. To start off, Aaron Rodgers has thrown 5 interceptions in camp so far which is uncommon for him. It might not be too much to worry about now, but QB Brett Hundley is coming along nicely even though he needs some time to adjust. While the offense has no shortage of good wide receivers, it looks like camp is giving rookie Ty Montgomery a chance to show what he can do. HC Mike McCarthy called him “strong, very powerful, obviously gifted…” which could be a good sign of him making the final roster.
Rodger’s interceptions have been picked off by rookie CB Damarious Randall along with CB Sam Shields and SS Morgan Burnett. The Packers are really giving their defensive rookies a work-out since right now, injuries (5) on the defensive line are looking like the norm. Matthews has been for almost a week with a sore knee and it slows down Matthew’s transition from LB to ILB. Rookies like Randall, LB Jake Ryan and CB Ladarius Gunter have been getting their chance with the first-teamers and the Packers are really liking what they see.
Minnesota Vikings: This training camp marks a lot of milestones for the Vikings including Adrian Peterson’s return, their last camp in their old stadium and what LB Chad Greenway refers to as a “young team”.
It’s almost as if Adrian Peterson has not missed any playing time from camp reports and he was able to hold his own against LB Gerald Hodges. It looks like Peterson is poised to make a comeback but knows he must prove himself to his doubters. QB Teddy Bridgewater has had a pretty productive camp as well even though he threw 2 interceptions, but his comfortability with the offensive line is really showing and Peterson’s presence has to be a sigh of relief for him. Rookies WR Stefon Diggs, LB Eric Kendricks, and CB Trae Waynes along with new Viking Mike Wallace are really going to be the ones to watch out for. Diggs has been praised by Bridgewater and Peterson especially on his ability to learn from his mistakes. Kendricks’ quick transition to the NFL and the fact that he is already making plays shows that he is already an impactful player and will most likely be a starter. Reports around Waynes have been mixed, but it looks like the closer the season comes, the closer Waynes is to becoming a starter.
Wallace’s time with the Steelers and Dolphins have made him a seasoned veteran with an unmatched work ethic who is already making an impact on the Vikings. If Bridgewater and Wallace can get on the same page, it could be a dynamite matchup.
