|
July Training camp battles: AFC WestWhich team has the luxury of having a touted No. 1 pick battling for the nickel spot? That would be the division powerhouse. Pete Prisco looks at a key camp battle for each AFC West team. Training camp battles: AFC SouthThe Texans and Jags have the Tony Boselli link in common. Oddly, years later both are still looking to settle the hugely important left-tackle spot, Pete Prisco says in AFC South camp battles. Training camp battles: AFC NorthHow 'bout a three-way? Quarterback competition, that is. The Ravens QB situation is slightly more bodacious than three division defensive camp battles Pete Prisco delivers. Training camp battles: AFC EastThe Dolphins and Jets have crucial QB competitions. The top battles in Buffalo and New England are of secondary importance. Pete Prisco opens his camp battles series as the countdown ticks to reporting dates. If Favre wants to fly again, he might have nowhere to landHere we go. Rumor has it Brett Favre is 'itching' to play again. But Green Bay is set with Aaron Rodgers as its franchise QB. No chance Favre will go to a divisional rival so his pickings are very slim and he should stay retired, Pete Prisco says. Breakout 30: Brawny Bengal tops list of players to watchThey are young and most are already good NFL players. But Pete Prisco unveils 30 breakout players who have the chance to be much more.
June Famously boorish Sapp should still be a Hall of Fame lockOn a good day, Warren Sapp is loud, rude and nasty. On a bad day? Downright mean. That shouldn't affect Sapp's Hall of Fame candidacy, Pete Prisco says -- but don't be stunned if it does. Top 50: Chill, New England, there's no denying Brady nowPete Prisco digs the passing game and he values one QB in particular. But there's a new No. 1 on the annual list of top 50 players, likely prompting an 'it's about time' in New England.
Miami parcelling up QB options, Beck taking step forwardJohn Beck's rookie season was a disaster. His Miami Dolphins won just one game and he struggled mightily in his four starts. Enter the Parcells regime and Pete Prisco says you have a QB fighting to show he can be Parcells' guy. Line rankings: Physical Chargers put up two nasty frontsAfter toiling over piles of statistics and depth charts, Pete Prisco names the San Diego Chargers as the team with the best lines. With the top defensive line and the second-best offensive unit, the Bolts will be a tough opponent -- and very tough to beat. DL Rankings: Giants are good but Chargers are betterThe Giants' defensive front was instrumental in their Super Bowl victory. But the award for the best defensive unit goes to the Shawne Merriman-led Chargers. Pete Prisco says this squad is talented and doesn't have many flaws. OL Rankings: The trenches are the first place to find winnersThey're not considered skill positions. So what? When you want to know who's a contender or a pretender, offensive lines usually play a large role, and Pete Prisco ranks the Cowboys' group the best. May Playoff-hopeful Bills' fate rests on Edwards' armBuffalo has been searching for the next Jim Kelly for years with no luck. But now the promise of second-year QB Trent Edwards has the Bills ready to party like it's 1999 again, Pete Prisco says. Overrated-underrated: Sayers, you say? Bush just overblownHe has only been in the league for two years, but it is already clear: Reggie Bush leads Pete Prisco's overrated list. Underrated? How about St. Louis' O.J. Atogwe -- who? -- leading the way. 'Mislabeled in Oakland,' Porter likes place with JagsJerry Porter has never racked up 1,000 yards receiving in a season. He struggled both on and off the field in Oakland. But now, with a fresh start in Jacksonville, Porter will be looked upon as the No. 1 receiver for the Jaguars, Pete Prisco says. Strike the stoppage talk, there's too much to loseCalm down. Don't get too upset with the owners opting out of the CBA, there won't be a strike. Pete Prisco says the owners are still making money and have too much to lose. Cowboys coach Phillips faces tough over-the-shoulder catchHe went 13-3 in his first season as Cowboys head coach, but Wade Phillips failed to deliver a playoff victory. Now the noted nice guy must deal with his replacement only a Jerry Jones audible away, Pete Prisco says. How well do we really know the distant Harrison?When the news broke that Marvin Harrison could have been involved in a weekend shooting, most people asked 'Could Marvin have done this?' The answer is who knows? No one really knows these athletes and what they are capable of, Pete Prisco says. Prospect Samardzija won't second-guess his diamond decisionJeff Samardzija took a big contract from the Cubs to play baseball and leave football behind. The former Notre Dame football star says he has no regrets, only the same goals as his Tennessee Smokies teammates, he tells Pete Prisco.
Insider: Heads up, veterans, draftees want your jobsYou can bet that veterans are working a little harder this week. After teams inject youthful talent in the draft, veterans everywhere are feeling the pressure. Pete Prisco breaks down the biggest battles to come.
|