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Author: Jon Kuzma

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The Packers are coming off a terrible 7-9 season and a big reason why this team struggled is because Aaron Rodgers was sidelined with a shoulder injury for nine games. Now Rodgers is healthy enough to play but he’s still struggling at training camp. Apparently Rodgers has thrown seven interceptions so far and even had back to back three interception days. With morale already fading from a poor 2017 season you have to wonder if Green Bay is going collapse this year? One thing is for certain if Rodgers isn’t in tip-top shape there’s no way the Packers can put it all together. We know their collection of players isn’t that great and Rodgers really elevated this team to new heights. How many times were the Packers in a jam only to have Rodgers bail them out? That remarkable 2016 run when Green Bay was 4-6 only to have Rodgers guide them to 6 straight wins stands out. Those are the type of moment the Packers need from Rodgers but lets be honest Green Bay has had an overall grade of B- talent on their roster the past couple of campaigns. It’s hard to keep overachieving with those kind of players and Aaron Rodgers has to be the catalyst if the Packers want to turn things around. To make matters even worse Jake Ryan just tore his ACL and he’ll be out the entire year as well. So Green Bay finds themselves in the crosshairs and it’s been a while since they’ve seen this type of pressure. If there’s another losing season in Wisconsin expect Mike McCarthy to be fired and it’ll be the first time the Packers have had back to back losing seasons since 1990 and 1991. Obviously with all the prestige that organization has they’re not going to settle for those type of results and there’s definitely some concerns for the Cheesehead fan base.

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Aaron Rodgers has been looking rusty at training camp and that has to be a concern for Packers fans.

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Author: Jon Kuzma

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San Francisco 49ers General Manager John Lynch took a chance on former Washington star Dante Pettis in the 2nd round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Now it looks like Pettis is ready to take the NFL by storm. The rookie is already showing a lot of promise in training camp with his smooth route running and a knack for getting opening. Pettis seems to do his best work on underneath routes and those are throws that Jimmy Garoppolo can consistently hit. When teams are trying to blitz having a receiver like Pettis makes life so much easier because he can take advantage of the open field. By rushing the passer those linebackers will vacate their area and Pettis is going to turn that into a big gain for the 49ers offense. It’s easy to see how much of an advantage that’s going to be on game day and Pettis doesn’t just get it done as a receiver either. During his time with the Huskies Pettis scored a touchdown on 9 different punt returns. We all know special teams are 1/3 of the game and when you can win on those plays it’s just another positive outcome for your football team. Pettis gives the 49ers a leg up in the special teams race and each touchdown he scores as a returner will significantly increase San Francisco’s chances of success. John Lynch has done a great job of shaping this roster so far and Dante Pettis appears to be another win for the Hall of Famer. Some people thought a 2nd round pick was way too high for Pettis but from the looks of it Lynch is the one having the last laugh. You have to give the G.M a lot of credit for trusting his gut and making choices regardless if they’re unpopular or not.

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Dante Pettis is showing he can make an impact at 49ers training camp.

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Author: Jon Kuzma

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Jalen Ramsey plans on measuring his abilities in week one against Odell Beckham Jr. and the New York Giants. While Beckham Jr. himself is going to be a tough match up for Ramsey at the end of the day the Jaguars defensive line will bail out their star cornerback. They’re going to unleash on Eli Manning and that’s what everyone is going to remember. Although Ramsey can show off his excellence by limiting Beckham Jr. to two or three catches and less than 60 yards. To be honest that isn’t going to be easy by any means. Beckham Jr. is shiftier than Ramsey and that could end up gashing the former Florida State defender. Odell Beckham Jr. has more fluent hips and he can change directions better too. However one way Ramsey could get the upper hand is through pressing at the line of scrimmage. Beckham is smaller and if Ramsey can bump the Giants receiver then it’s very likely he’ll be overmatched. Now to be fair Jalen Ramsey clearly respects Odell Beckham Jr. that’s why he said this will be a perfect challenge for him. Ramsey wants to be a great player and he knows he will be measured by how he performs against top tier competition? Really that’s why he circled this game on his calendar and he’s probably had Beckham Jr. in mind while training all off-season. NFL players live for these kind of showdowns and you have to appreciate Jalen Ramsey’s never back down mentality. When it’s all said and done though that defensive line is going make life so much easier for the Jaguars secondary. A.J Bouye, Barry Church, and Tashaun Gipson will all have an opportunity to intercept some passes. Which proves it should be a great day for the entire Jacksonville team and Ramsey will certainly benefit because of that.

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Make no mistake about it Jalen Ramsey will have his hands full with Odell Beckham Jr. The Jaguars defensive line will bail him out though.

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Author: Jon Kuzma

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The Minnesota Vikings like what they’ve seen out of Stefon Diggs so far and now they’re locking up one their top offensive weapons for the next five seasons. Diggs will earn $72 million dollars throughout his next contract and that’s a huge risk on the Vikings behalf. Diggs will pull in $14M annually and that’s concerning because the former Maryland alum has never hauled in 1,000 yards, 100 receptions, or 10 touchdowns in a single year. Not to mention Adam Thielen seems like the team’s true number one pass catcher so you have to wonder if this was the right move for Minnesota? This guy is being paid like a top ten receiver in the National Football League and while he has tremendous upside there’s some development Diggs still must undergo. If the 24 year old doesn’t pan out then the Vikings will be overpaying for a good player. Obviously that’s no too bad of a deal for this team because it could be way worse. The other unsettling thing about Diggs is his lack of size. He’s only 6’0 191 pounds and that smaller frame might not hold up against some of the big hits that comes with playing professional football. At the same time though there’s a reason Diggs did get this extension. He’s a playmaker and has shown some consistency for the Vikings passing game. After three solid seasons Diggs also caught the Minnesota Miracle so with all of those plays on his highlight reel that ended up being enough for Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer to take a chance on the speedy receiver. With another piece of the puzzle locked up for the foreseeable future now this organization can focus on taking care of all the other guys who need a new deal. Still though you have to walk away from this agreement and wonder did the Vikings pay too much?

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The Minnesota Vikings made a risky move by re-signing Stefon Diggs. It seems like they’re overpaying him.

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Author: Jon Kuzma

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The Miami Dolphins believed in 35 year old running back Frank Gore when they signed him this off-season and now Gore is lighting it up at Dolphins training camp. Gore looks like a player who is coming right out of college more than someone who is at the end of their playing days. By turning the clock back and proving he can still play at a high level Gore just keeps on extending his career. Make no mistake about it this is a big win for the Dolphins. They felt like Gore would be a steal at $1.1M annually. We know now that appears to be true and give credit to this front office for targeting a lost cost but high value ball carrier. It’s acquisitions like that which give Miami a chance to turn things around. If guys like Danny Amendola and Gore can come in and fulfill their role then maybe Adam Gase can start to build this team an identity. Having a workhorse in the backfield like the 9x 1,000 yard rusher automatically puts the Dolphins in a good position. Establishing the running game is so fundamental when it comes to winning football games and Gore can fill the vacancy that Jay Ajayi left behind. With everything that’s gone down in these early practices it’s definitely apparent that Frank Gore isn’t slowing down by any means. Why not get this guy 18-20 hand offs a game and roll with his downhill running style? Defenders don’t want to square off with Gore because he can flat out punish people who try to go head up with him. That physicality is certainly a weapon for Gase and the Dolphins so this signing really might be a key acquisition once things are all said and done. Hopefully the NFL’s new crown of the helmet rule doesn’t hurt Frank Gore’s style of play too much because if he is able to run freely then Miami just got a hell of a ball player.

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Frank Gore is turning back the clock at dolphins training camp.

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Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott recently stated that he “never protests during the national anthem and he doesn’t believe that’s the right time or venue to do so.” While a lot of people might be outraged by Prescott comments believe it or not he’s absolutely right. The NFL’s main goal must be the execution of the sport itself and with how many errors the league office has made in recent years it’s apparent that should be their only focus. A lot of these protests have actually hindered professional football and alienated a portion of the league’s fan base. Why would players do something that could cause their checks to become smaller? Obviously the cause the protesters are fighting for is a valid one and nobody can argue that but is during the National Anthem really the right time to take knee? Dak Prescott doesn’t seem to agree and speaking out was a courageous move on the quarterback’s behalf. Whether you agree with Dak Prescott or not you have to respect his leadership skills because at least he put his views out there regardless of what anyone thinks. That could actually be a great sign for the Cowboys because it shows Prescott is willing to stay true to himself. Ultimately you want a guy who isn’t afraid to go against the grain sometimes because it’s always better to have a Captain Kirk type of guy under center. Risk takers tend to get ahead in life and Prescott put his brand on the line when he spoke out on this issue. The commissioner, league office, and owners probably appreciate it and while the injustice protestors fight against are still a concern. These players have to go out on their own time and put more effort into solving those problems. There’s a lot of millionaires in the NFL and with that kind of financial backing they should be able to take some serious action.

Charity of the day: American Liver Foundation

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Dak Prescott’s opinions might be unpopular but they’re the right.

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Author: Jon Kuzma

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The Los Angeles Chargers have been having a very rough training camp after losing a couple of their key players to injuries.  Hunter Henry and Jason Verrett are both done for the year and that’s going to put even more pressure on Joey Bosa. The less talent the Chargers have the more guys like Melvin Ingram and Bosa have to pick up the slack. So these injuries have really been a setback and now it will be up to the superstars to bail LA out. Bosa can do that with his good initial burst and his exceptional ability when it comes to turning the corner. Offensive tackles just struggle to match up with Bosa because he’s the total package at defensive end. The 23 sacks in two seasons tell you the kind of pass rusher Bosa is. Not many people are able to match the 23 year old’s tenacity and he’s a lot of fun to watch. Even though Philip Rivers and the offense have been so prolific throughout the years. Right now this defense is emerging as a group that must be feared. By having a team that is effective on both sides of the ball the Chargers have shot to really make a splash in the AFC West. It’s not an easy division at all and the teams are starting to become more balanced than ever. Kansas City should be tough and both Oakland and Denver are improving. If Bosa plays his game though and leads Los Angeles like he is capable of then anything is possible. This organization hasn’t been to the postseason since 2013 and they’re hoping that playoff drought will come to an end. Based off what we seen last season things are definitely trending in the right direction and Joey Bosa is at the forefront of all of that.

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Defense wins championships and that’s why Joey Bosa will be the catalyst to the Chargers playoff hopes.

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Author: Jon Kuzma

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Josh Allen has already been taking first team reps at Buffalo Bills training camp and that should come as no surprise. Allen has the least competition out of all the rookie quarterbacks who are trying to crack the starting line up. So while Josh Rosen battles Sam Bradford and Lamar Jackson competes with Joe Flacco. Josh Allen goes up against Nathan Peterman and A.J McCarron who never really found their stride in the NFL. Obviously that easier path is a big reason Allen has been taking reps with the number ones up there in Orchard Park. The other reason why it feels like Josh Allen will be under center this upcoming season is because Sean McDermott was so quick to turn the page from Tyrod Taylor to Nathan Peterman. Clearly McDermott wants to find his ideal quarterback and if you just drafted Josh Allen in the first round you mine as well start him and get his development underway. Make no mistake about it all the signs point to Buffalo going with Allen for week one against the Baltimore Ravens. One of the main reasons why is because Allen has arm strength that can translate into a high scoring offense. Defenders are going to be afraid of how much the former Wyoming standout can stretch the field. That puts defenses on their heels and really limits the coverages they want to run. If teams try to play cover 0 or cover 1 it’s super risky because there’s not enough defenders over top to help take away the vertical passing game. McDermott knows this and that’s why he has been hinting that Allen could win the job all off-season. The Bills don’t want to just hand Josh Allen that position though they want him to earn it which is why they haven’t fully committed to the 22 year old yet.

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Josh Allen should be the first rookie quarterback to start. There’s not much competition for the former Wyoming signal caller.

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Author: Jon Kuzma

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Tennessee Titans standout Taylor Lewan is now the highest paid offensive lineman in NFL history after signing a mega-deal with the team. Lewan will now set the bar for all the other lineman in the league and it’s a huge win for the former University of Michigan alum. Lewan is known for his never back down mentality on the football field. This guy can drive block defensive tackles to the second level and then pick off a linebacker. That skill set wasn’t expendable and that’s why Tennessee made sure they have Lewan under contract for at least half a decade. The idea is Taylor Lewan will be a strategic advantage upfront in the trenches. He’ll have to open holes for Derrick Henry and win at the line of scrimmage against some tough AFC South opponents. Jacksonville and Houston are both a huge threat to Lewan and the Titans. However if Taylor Lewan wasn’t in the equation Tennessee would really struggle and take a huge step backwards. Another reason the front office handed the 27 year old (Lewan) a new contract is because Jack Conklin is banged up and struggling to return. So Lewan must minimize that loss and coach up the other lineman at the same time. Therefore the leadership aspect played a key role in re-signing Lewan and it’s something that can’t be overlooked. This franchise is coming off a playoff appearance but it’s not going to be easy at all to make it back. In order for that to happen the running game must thrive because then the Titans can at least control the time of possession. Lewan is such a big factor in those game plans and he also does a great job of protecting Mariota’s blind side. There’s no doubt this is the best lineman on Mike Vrabel’s roster and one of the premier blockers in the NFL.

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Author: Jon Kuzma

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The Tennessee Titans went back to work and the former New England Patriot Malcolm Butler had a great performance. Butler showed some impressive cover skills completely clamping down on Corey Davis. This is exactly what the Titans had in mind when they signed Butler to a 5 year $61M dollar deal. From the looks of things that might be money well spent and Butler really did a good job of jumping routes and trying to beat receivers to the ball. Any slants or drags over the middle Butler can anticipate so well. We saw those talents on display when Malcolm Butler intercepted Russell Wilson’s pass back in Super Bowl XLIX. It’s the ability to break on the ball that makes this guy so special at the cornerback position and there’s no doubt he’s using last year’s Super Bowl benching as motivation heading into the new season. Some people will say it’s only training camp and it doesn’t mean anything but everything starts early on in these preseason practices. It’s a good sign that Butler has been so effective out of the gate because it proves he’s serious about continuing to build his legacy. Tennessee committed a lot of money to the newly acquired defender and that’s because they believe in him as a player. Now Butler has to do his best Champ Bailey impersonation and cut off one half of the field. The other big factor for Butler will be how many interceptions does he end up recording this year? Defensive Backs are measured by their ability to pick off passes and Malcolm Butler will be no different. Five interceptions would be a great goal for this guy and it would prove to the Titans that he’s willing to fulfill his end of the bargain. We’re not that far along yet but everything seems to be heading in the right direction. Give credit to Malcolm Butler he’s definitely put in some work during his time away from football.

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Malcolm Butler looked great at Titans training camp. This appears to be a big acquisition for the Tennessee.