Blog Talk Football

Football Talk - Your Opinion Counts

Training Camp

Broncos Open Training Camp with Questions

by

Denver Broncos Hat
Entering the fourth year and likely final year of the Peyton Manning era, it is now or never for the Denver Broncos to win their first Super Bowl Championship since John Elway led the team to back to back championships to end his career. Much like the other 31 teams in the NFL, questions abound entering the 2015-2016 season.

How will Peyton Manning adapt to Gary Kubiak’s system?

Peyton Manning Bobblehead
After ending the last three seasons without a Super Bowl victory, the Broncos and now Chicago Bears Head Coach John Fox agreed to part ways. Enter former Texans Head Coach and Broncos backup Quarterback Gary Kubiak. Notorious for his zone blocking run oriented scheme which favors cut back runners similar to Terrell Davis and Arian Foster, it remains to be seen how Kubiak will adapt to Manning’s talents and vice-versa. If Manning can be satisfied with a decrease in numbers and fewer passing attempts, a diversified Broncos offense should lead to more sustainable offensive success.

Who will start at running back?

Prior to season ending injuries to Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman, the Broncos running game had been stagnant to say the least. Forced into action last season due to injuries, C.J. Anderson enters training camp as the favorite to start after a strong 2014-2015 campaign. Similar in style to Terrell Davis, the job is Anderson’s to lose, but he should be pushed by both Ball and Hillman.

Can the linebackers stay healthy?

When healthy, the Broncos have a solid linebacking corps. As training camp begins, neither Brandon Marshall nor Danny Trevathan are fully cleared to participate in drills. With a strong pass rush anchored by Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, and newly drafted Shane Ray; and a stellar secondary featuring Chris Harris Jr. and Aqib Talib at corner, linebacker is the Broncos’ defensive weakness. Marshall and Trevathan staying healthy is essential for success come playoff time.

Will this season end with a Lombardi Trophy?

The only question that really matters. While the Broncos should remain competitive and will likely win the AFC West, overtaking either the Patriots or Colts to even represent the AFC in the Super Bowl will be a difficult challenge.Lombardi Trophy

Packer’s New Fast Track Training Camp Is Quickly Approaching

by

Staying in shape in the off-season is a requirement for all NFL players. Those who do not follow the healthy living habits that they practice during the season, will find that their time at training camp will be arduous and could cost them their position on the team. For the players on the Green Bay Packers team, the time is running out for them to get into shape before the July 30 start of training camp.

Training camp this year for the Packers will be different from past seasons. In a quote in an article on the Green Bay Packers website, veteran safety Morgan Burnett commented, “Once we get back, the tempo is going to pick up a little more.” He mentions that Coach McCarthy had advised the players that, “The pads are on, so guys are really going to be flying around. Coach made it loud and clear today. He was saying, ‘Enjoy your time off, enjoy your break, but once we get back, the train is rolling, and we’re starting fast.’”

Before training camp, the team holds OTA practices, but players are not required to attend. These organized team activities are less physical and more focused on technical aspects and player improvement. Training camp amps up the physical contact, and give the players the opportunity to show off their skills and abilities. Award winning running back for the Packers, Eddie Lacy, explains that there is a different element introduced to the field when the team is in full uniform. “Once you put pads on, things are different. It’s a lot harder, because it’s not just tagging off and you can’t just get your way, so we’ll see who’s physical and who’s not.”

Every play is a test of each player’s abilities and skill. Award winning and MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers commented in the article, that during training camp there is “not a lot of room for the mental errors” and “not a lot of grace period” when training camp begins. He and ten other veteran players with more than seven years experience with the Packers will not be partaking in the last day of training camp.

This new approach to team player mentoring is sure to bring the players closer as a team and gives the new players a chance to learn directly from some of the greatest players in the NFL today. With this new strategy at training camp, McCarthy is leading the Packers down the path to the Super Bowl as a team.

Read more: http://www.packers.com/news-and-events/article-OTAs/article-1/Training-camp-will-be-different/8667735a-68ef-400e-b405-4fb2ba92a6d8#ixzz3dr8oPnUW

Will the Packers be in the mix for a playoff spot in 2015?

Lets hear what you think on our Fan Page or in the comments section below!