What We Have Learned From The Preseason So Far ?

Mario Henderson Looks Good at Left Tackle

Coming into this year, Mario Henderson was a major question mark at that all important left tackle position.

At times he had looked like an all pro, at others he struggled badly.

What e have seen from him this year so far is very promising. Against the Bears he blocked well in the running game and kept Julius Peppers under control in pass protection. cheap Peppers jersey is one of the better defensive ends in the league, and this has to bode well for the future.

Kamerion Wimbley Is The Real Deal

He was one of the least talked about of all the Raiders off season acquisitions, but so far he has looked like an impact player.

He stands up fullbacks and makes plays in the running game, has a real ability to get to the quarterback (4.0 sacks against Chicago), and shown that he is more than capable in coverage.

It has been a long time since the wholesale Raiders jersey had a dominant strong side linebacker. I think they have one now. 

Oakland Is Struggling For a Good Starting Center

Samson Satele came from the Miami Dolphins in a trade that head coach Tom Cable was very pleased with at the time.

He struggled to pick up the zone blocking scheme in his first year, and he has struggled with his play ever since he did pick it up.

Chris Morris has had extended spells as the starter and has not fared any better. Neither of these players is going to be adequate, let alone dominant. I see the Raiders looking for rookie Jared Veldheer to step up as soon as possible.

He is a bigger, more physical player, and has shown well so far.

Stevie Brown Is a Ball Hawk

It just seems to be a feature of every game or practice report now.

Stevie Brown makes an interception or some kind of big play.

There  were many draft analysts who criticized the cheap Raiders jersey for drafting Brown in the seventh round this year, most comments being that he struggled in coverage and took bad angles to the ball.

Well he has certainly proved them wrong so far, and Al Davis looks to have worked his magic once more and found another late round gem. Reports from camp are that Brown is even getting some looks with the first team.

When you are competing against Mike Mitchell and Michael Huff, that's not bad going for a player many said would struggle to make the team at all.

The Raiders Defense Can Get To the Quarterback

You can have all the good coverage you want, but even the best set of defensive backs can cover for only so long.

In pass defense, you have to show that you can get to the quarterback.

The Raiders defense has shown clearly that they can do that. I don't mean sacks by second and third stringers late in pre-season games either.

Kamerion Wimbley's 4.0 sacks, Lamarr Houston's 2.0, and Matt Shaugnessy's 2.0, all came against first string players.

It brings back memories of that Superbowl XVIII season when the Raiders had a team total of 57.

They still have to do it in the regular season, but o far through two weeks of the pre-season, Oakland's defense leads the league in sacks.

I have a feeling this s going to be a good year.

Atlanta Falcons for some conjecture in the 2010

By 2010, the RACES on football to begin, everyone was expecting, of course, I also like everyone else is expected. Every day in a game of speculation. wholesale Atlanta Falcons jerseys are a very great football team, don't know it would have what kind of performance. We come to it.

RB Michael Turner

After a superb run in 2008, Turner fell back to earth in 2009. Poor conditioning and an ankle injury that forced him to miss five games and likely hampered his ability in three more were the often-cited reasons for his dropoff.

He's dropped fifteen pounds this offseason and expects to get out of the gate strong—something he failed to do in 2009. However, don't expect the Falcons to stick the ball in his gut 376 times like they did two seasons ago.

Reports out of Atlanta indicate that the Falcons plan to monitor his touches, and with quality backups in Jason Snelling and Jerious Norwood, expect that to happen. Nonetheless, don't be shocked if Turner is a top ten fantasy runner in 2010.

Knock him down a notch in PPR leagues given his utter lack of ability in the passing game (22 receptions in six years). Michael Turner is very great. Then he will show that the more outstanding.

QB Matt Ryan

Ryan's completion percentage fell to 58.3 percent in 2009, and although he threw 22 touchdowns, he failed to pass for over 3,000 yards, making him a mediocre fantasy play most of last season.
He also suffered a nagging toe injury that seemed to hamper his abilities during the second half of the year.
According to coaches, he's running at full strength this offseason. The draft brought precious little to the Falcons passing game, meaning they will once again rely on Michael Jenkins at one starting position with Harry Douglas returning from injury to fulfill the slot receiver role.
Adding a vertical threat in the draft would have enhanced Ryan's fantasy prospects (fifth-round pick Kerry Meier is unlikely to fill that role), but we still expect a bounce-back fantasy performance for Ryan in 2010. Unfortunately, he remains a borderline fantasy starter.

The game immediately by 2010, when the curtain in the Matt Ryan led Atlanta Falcons will take the better results. cheap Atlanta Falcons jerseys are a very good team with a lot of great players, believe in their connivance, wholesale Atlanta Falcons jerseys will has achieved very good results, they must be a boom in 2010.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Terrell Owens

Kyle Orton ,Knowshon Moreno,Brandon Marshall,Brandon Marshall,Brandon Marshall,Elvis Dumervil and Andre' Goodman are key players of Denver Broncos to be watched today. The Broncos starting quarterback will be Kyle Orton; however it is very likely that Tim Tebow and Brady Quinn will also take some snaps.

Carson Palmer ,Cedric Benson,Chad Ochocinco,Chad Ochocinco,Chad Ochocinco,Antwan Odom and Johnathan Joseph are key players of Cincinnati Bengals to be watched today. The Bengals starting quarterback will be Carson Palmer.

"After seven years in Oakland, that chapter's done," Fargas said. "This is a new beginning for me and I'm looking forward to it."

The Denver Broncos are led by Josh McDaniels who is only the 12th head coach in Broncos history. The Broncos had a record of 8-8 last NFL season. The Cincinnati Bengals are led by head coach Marvin Lewis who is going into his 8th NFL season with a career regular season record of 56-55.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Terrell Owens continued to have plenty of passes thrown in his direction as he finished Sunday's preseason game against the Denver Broncos with four grabs for 23 yards.

Meanwhile, his partner in reality television crime, Chad Ochocinco, was limited to a single catch for four yards.

The veteran wide receivers were often double teamed by Champ Bailey and the Broncos secondary, which created opportunities for a pair of rookies.

Third-round wide receiver Jordan Shipley finished the night with five catches for 50 yards while first-rounder Jermaine Gresham had three catches for 37 yards, including a 19-yard grab.

No argument from Vinatieri

The legend? That would be Adam Vinatieri, the Colts' veteran place-kicker who endured a frustrating 2009. He was limited to six games and was inactive for the Colts' run to Super Bowl XLIV after requiring offseason surgery on his right hip and knee.

"I think last year was tough for him," McAfee said. "It would have been tough for any of us not being out there.

"I see a guy who is really enjoying himself."

No argument from Vinatieri.

"I feel good that I'm healthy and I'm out there now," he said. "I can't wait for the games to start."

Vinatieri's disposition is in stark contrast to the second half of '09 and the playoff run. Concerned with the durability and reliability of Vinatieri's right knee -- that's his money limb -- the Colts stuck with veteran Matt Stover.

Outwardly, Vinatieri accepted the decision. Inside, it ate him up.

"It was a long run last year," he said. "It was tough to watch the team out on the field Anthony Gonzalez and not be able to partake and participate and help the team win."

At no time did Vinatieri allow doubt to creep in. He wasn't kicking but knew his career was far from over.

A handful of quality place-kickers have enjoyed long and prosperous NFL careers; Morten Andersen kicked at the age of 47, Gary Anderson and John Carney were active at 45. Stover, 41, was the oldest player ever to play in the Super Bowl when he handled those duties for the Colts in their loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Vinatieri, the eldest Colt, turns 38 on Dec. 28.

"I don't feel real old," he said. "I know when I'm feeling good and healthy, I can go out there pretty much as well as I ever have.

"It never entered my mind to hang it up, that's for sure. I feel if I can stay healthy, I've got another handful of years left. I will continue to play as long as I am an asset and not a liability."

Vinatieri responded to McAfee's pre-practice tweet by making eight field goal attempts during an evening session shortened by rain. A ninth attempt from 52 yards was iffy, dancing near one of the uprights.

As if to be reminded there's more work to be done, Adam Vinatieri hit a 28-yarder but missed 38- and 43-yard attempts in Jeff Saturday's controlled scrimmage.

"It's been a little while, so you knock the rust off a little bit and get back out there," he said. "It's about timing and I guess that's why we do preseason."

Vinatieri is entering his 15th season. It will be his fifth with the Colts. While he intends to play past this season, it's uncertain where that might be. He will be a free agent at the end of the season.

"I have no thoughts about that," Adam Vinatieri said. "Contract year, lockout next year, none of that stuff has entered my mind. If there ever was a year that any of that stuff didn't matter to me, this is the year. I want to go out and show people that I still have a little bit left in me."

The Colts don't haze, and they actually do whatever they can to make rookies feel as if they're part of the team. Colts quarterback Peyton Manning said there's a simple reason:

They're not only part of the team, but they're expected to be important factors in the team's success.

"You've seen all the highlights with the rookie hazing and haircuts," Manning said Tuesday. "We don't do that around here, because we don't treat the guys like rookies. We expect those guys to play this year and to play well."

Manning, the Colts' starting quarterback and the Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player a record four times – including each of the last two seasons – said the Colts are tough on their rookies in one sense: expectation level.

The Colts historically have gotten big contributions from rookies, with wide receiver Austin Collie, running back Donald Brown, cornerbacks Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey and punter Pat McAfee all playing key roles last season.

"We're probably not very patient," Manning said. "We don't cut them a whole lot of slack. If they're on the team, we expect them to know the offense and to be in there. That's why we treat them all like veterans."

The Colts' approach in the area is far from a recent trend. Throughout much of Manning's career, which has coincided with the tenure of Colts President Bill Polian, they have remained one the younger teams in the NFL. While they pay well to keep players they drafted who they consider core, franchise-level players, they historically allow contributing players to leave via free agency to stay under the salary cap.

Key to the philosophy is Polian's ability to draft talent capable of contributing quickly, and in recent seasons, players such as safety Antoine Bethea, running back Joseph Addai and last year's group have been critical to the success of a team that has made eight consecutive playoff appearances.

Also crucial to the process has been the willingness of veterans to work with young players, something Manning said he takes particularly seriously.

"I think you have to put the work in," Manning said, citing offseason passing work he has done with players such as rookie tight end Brody Eldridge. "He's going to play a role in the offense this year. I think you have (to) spend the time with him. You have to watch some film with him. You have to go out and throw with him.

"What I've always liked to do is instead of going out and throwing with three quarterbacks and 10 receivers, I'd rather just take me and one receiver and go out and have truly one-on-one throwing where you might throw 30 routes and you're talking about the route beforehand. You're really trying to reach and get him on the same page with you.

Trent Edwards threw the best passes of the 4 quarterbacks

As always, the team spent a lot of time on the individual drills. I focused on the Quarterback passing drills. They worked with the wide receivers and tight ends for a while and then later with the running backs. Trent Edwards threw the best passes of the 4 quarterbacks. He was connecting with Lee Evans and Steve Johnson every time. He also threw a couple passes to Shawn Nelson and Jonathan Stupar, who continued his solid camp by catching everything thrown his way. Brian Brohm showed nice zip on his ball and connected with Steve Johnson a few times too, although some of his passes were a little low. Ryan Fitzpatrick looked alright, but he did overthrow CJ Spiller in the running back drills. Kawika Mitchell was the best defensive player out there. He made several big hits, including one on Joique Bell as a welcome to the NFL, rookie.

Following this drill, the players spent time on special teams. The focus of the night was punt returns. The main returners were Roscoe Parrish, CJ Spiller and Leodis McKelvin. They caught "punts" from the jugs machine and McKelvin was the only player that dropped one of them. Roscoe Parrish continued to impress with his punt return ability as he made a few cuts and ran up the middle for a long return. CJ Spiller started out a little slow, but by the end of the drill, he gave fans a little preview of what he can do with the ball as he flew up the field past the gunners. The players spent about 10-15 minutes on the drill and then went right to the 11-on-11 drills.

Trent Edwards started off the night with a bad pass that was intercepted by Terrence McGee. Fred Jackson got the ball next and ran around the right tackle for 5-yards. Marshawn Lynch then came out and powered up the middle for 4-yards. Edwards then made a nice play-action fake to Spiller and threw a 10-yard pass to Corey McIntyre. CJ Spiller then got his chance to carry the ball and ran up the middle for 6-yards. Fred Jackson came in next and ran around the right tackle for 8-yards. Spiller came back in and ran to the outside for 4-yards. Brian Brohm then threw a nice pass to Steve Johnson for 16-yards. CJ Spiller then got another chance to run the ball and was stuffed in the middle. Ryan Fitzpatrick then threw a screen to Roscoe Parrish for 8-yards. He finished the drill off when underthrew Felton Huggins. Although, you have to give credit to George Wilson too. He had some good pass coverage. The team then had a meeting with Chan Gailey for the usual 5-minutes. After the meeting, they called a goal line walk-thru, but Trent Edwards had his pass batted down at the line. CJ Spiller was then stuffed at the line by George Wilson.

The horn then sounded and the team separated. The linemen worked on their blocking drills, while the rest of the team went to work on the 7-on-7 drill. Trent Edwards started it off with a dumpoff to Fred Jackson for 3-yards. He then hit Michael Matthews for 8-yards. On the next play, Edwards underthrew Lee Evans. He then checked down to CJ Spiller for 5-yards. Edwards then hit Felton Huggins for 7-yards. He finished the series off with a nice 30-yard pass to Donald Jones, but it was dropped. Brian Brohm came in next and dumped off to CJ Spiller for 5-yards. He then found Chad Jackson for 8-yards. On the next play, Brohm threw a screen to Rodney Ferguson for 3-yards. He then threw an 11-yard pass to Chad Jackson, but Arthur Moats came in and forced a fumble, which Bryan Scott recovered. Brohm finished the drive off with a 8-yard pass to Naaman Roosevelt. Trent Edwards came back in and dumped off to Michael Matthews, but the pass was broken up by Andra Davis. He then threw a 6-yard pass to Marshawn Lynch for 6-yards. Edwards finished the drive off with a sweet pass to a wide open Lee Evans for 32 yards. Ryan Fitzpatrick then came in and overthrew James Hardy deep. But it didn't matter because Hardy committed Offensive pass interference, according to the referees. Fitzpatrick then threw a bomb to Felton Huggins for 40-yards. Leodis McKelvin was badly burned on the play. On the last play of the drill, Fitzpatrick threw a pass in stride to James Hardy for 8-yards.

The next drill was the 11-on-11. Trent Edwards started it off with a pass to Felton Huggins where Terrence McGee tackled him at the line. He then threw a horrible pass to Lee Evans that was at his left. Edwards continued his bad start with an interception by Donte Whitner, who made a nice leaping catch and ran it back for a 30-yard touchdown. Marshawn Lynch then ran up the middle for 8-yards. Edwards tried to pass again and this time was successful when he found Jonathan Stupar for 7-yards. He then hit Chad Jackson for 5-yards. CJ Spiller got the ball next and showed nice speed when he flew up the middle for a 10-yard gain. Brian Brohm then felt pressure from Aaron Maybin and dumped it off to Rodney Ferguson for 2-yards. He then hit James Hardy for 7-yards. On the next play, Joique Bell wowed the crowd when he made a nice cut and broke a long run for a 68-yard touchdown. He showed impressive speed after he broke the first tackle and flew down the field. CJ Spiller got his chance next and ran up the middle for 3-yards. Ryan Fitzpatrick then hit Chad Jackson for 12-yards. Trent Edwards then came back in and threw a beautiful bomb to Lee Evans for a 66-yard touchdown. It looked like Drayton Florence got burned, but it was still a great play! Edwards then found Chad Jackson, but he dropped it. Joique Bell got the ball next and was stuffed behind the line by Alex Carrington for a short loss. Levi Brown then got a chance to attempt a pass, but he felt a ton of pressure from both Arthur Moats and Rashaad Duncan to force the incompletion. The defense finished the drill off when they stuffed Joique Bell at the line.

For the final drill of the day, the team worked on the 2-minute offense. The Donte Whitner ball was placed on the 35 yard line and they have 1:10 to go 65 yards with 2 timeouts. Trent Edwards started it off with a pass to Lee Evans for 15-yards. He then found Felton Huggins for 8-yards. Huggins appeared to bobble the ball, but came down with it. On the next play, Edwards threw a pass to Steve Johnson, but it was dropped. Fred Jackson then ran up the middle for 3-yards. Steve Johnson got another chance next when Edwards connected with him for 12-yards and he ripped the ball away from Leodis McKelvin. Edwards then hit Felton Huggins for 18-yards in the middle of the field t the 10-yard line. He followed that with a pass in the end zone where Huggins was triple covered, but it was broken up. The offensive line then had a false start to move them back 5-yards. On the next play, Trent Edwards, with 5 seconds to go threw a horrible pass that was intercepted by Donte Whitner. Brian Brohm got his chance next and hit Naaman Roosevelt for 4-yards and then felt some major pressure from Rashaad Duncan, so he threw it away. On the next play, Brohm threw a pass to Donald Jones, but it went thru his hands and right into Bryan Scott's for an intercept to end the night.

"I wish I was drafted into this scheme. It's a scheme a lot of other guys play, like Ed Reed (Ravens) and Troy Polamalu (Steelers). I don't think the Tampa 2 was really suited for my skills and allowed me to run and go play football. That's what this scheme allows me to do."

Beyond the scheme, Whitner is really enjoying the fact that Gailey is requiring the players to practice in pads and actually hit the guys with the ball. What a departure from Dick Jauron, who treated his players like China dolls during his three-plus years at the helm.

"He's got that little edge about him that you hope every one of your defensive players has," Gailey said of the 208-pound Whitner, who has made him smile with some of the licks he has delivered. "That bodes well for our defense as a whole, in my opinion."

Watch Whitner when he's on the field. If a ballcarrier or receiver is in his vicinity, that player finds out right away because Whitner has been pounding pads every chance he gets. "It's something that we all need to do," said Whitner, who is battling for the right to start at strong safety. "That's what prepares you for Sunday. You get used to coming through there and hitting guys. You want to be as live as you possibly can on the football field. That's what the game is all about, getting the guy down with the football, and that's what I want to do."
Whitner has endured a star-crossed career in Buffalo. Taken with the eighth overall pick in 2006, almost everyone who dissects the NFL Draft agreed that the Bills reached too high for the former Ohio State standout.

And during his first four years, it's tough to argue against that. Whitner has performed below what is typically expected from his draft position. The most glaring numbers are his mere four interceptions, 12 pass breakups, and no fumble recoveries in 53 career games.

It hasn't all been his fault, of course. Not only has he played on some pretty poor teams where it was tough to achieve success, he was also asked to perform a variety of duties when Jauron was in charge.

By playing strong safety, free safety, nickel corner and whatever else was needed, Whitner wasn't able to hone in on one specific position like, say, Pro Bowlers Reed and Polamalu. While it helped him gain knowledge of the total defensive concept, it did not translate into his making big plays.

"I don't think it set me back," he said of the multiple roles he has performed. "It allowed me to understand what other guys have to go through on the football field. I made a lot of the calls because I played a lot of the positions and it helped other guys not have to worry about making the calls and just playing their positions.

"But I think physically it was (a set back). Now we have an opportunity to go out there and make plays, that's what I'm trying to do every day on the practice field."

Whitner, who made two interceptions in the Friday night practice, claims he has never felt pressure being a No. 8 overall pick. But he does admit to hearing the fans and media questioning whether the Bills made a mistake picking him so high.

"I've been criticized, but I take that in stride," he said. "I know what I can do on the football field and this scheme will allow me to do things that I did at Ohio State. Actually, this is the same defense that we played at Ohio State, so I'm looking forward to it."
Whitner is in the final year of the original contract he signed with Buffalo, so he'll be eligible to enter free agency in 2011. Whether he returns to Buffalo or moves on is anyone's guess, but he recognizes the need to play well in 2010, and he thinks he will.

Jeff Ireland should call Rick Spielman and offer quarterback Chad Pennington

 If Favre decides not to play, the Dolphins would be wise to involve themselves in the drama.

If Favre leaves the Vikings now, after the team bet everything on his return by not drafting a quarterback or trading for Donovan McNabb, the Dolphins should try to take advantage of the situation and offer to bail out the Vikings.

Jeff Ireland should call Rick Spielman and offer quarterback Chad Pennington.

A second-round pick for Pennington would suffice. Even a third-round pick should tempt the Dolphins to pull the trigger.

That call from the Dolphins current general manager to the man who is in charge of Minnesota's personnel department and once was Miami's GM could be beneficial for both men.

Ireland: ``Rick, I understand you have a Super Bowl contender if you find a good starting quarterback, so I'd like to offer you Pennington, who came to us late in the 2008 preseason and promptly took us to the playoffs. He could do the same and more for you.''

Spielman: ``I'm intrigued, Jeff, but you have to sell me on this. Regardless of what you heard about the Lamar Gordon trade I made in Miami, I don't ordinarily panic when I desperately need a player. And regardless of what you heard of the A.J. Feeley trade I made in Miami, I do intend to drive a hard bargain.''

Ireland: ``Well, what would you offer for Pennington?''

Spielman: ``We love Tarvaris Jackson, and we're ready to go with him, if necessary. So it's not going to be a first-rounder, I can tell you that. Let's see, I gave up a second for Feeley so . . .''

This scenario is only a suggestion, of course, and there is nothing here that says the Dolphins will definitely shop Pennington in the coming weeks, even as he continues his certain ascent to the backup quarterback job.

It is, in fact, more likely Pennington spends 2010 in Miami and, unsigned for 2011, he either leaves or settles in as the long-term backup to Chad Henne.

But if the Dolphins want to push the personnel envelope and maximize the value of their players, they try to trade Pennington to Minnesota or anyone else offering a draft pick. That's what you should do with any player who isn't likely to play much this year and might not be around next year because he's a free agent.

Now, this is about the time when the naysayers start hatching reasons why this suggestion is flawed.

I can hear them now:

The Dolphins would never trade Pennington because he's too valuable, the armchair journalist would argue.

Really? The idea of Miami trading Pennington was so apparent to Pennington himself, he requested a no-trade clause be included in the one-year contract he signed during the offseason.

Pennington saw the possibility he could be moved and wanted to guard against it. The Dolphins eased the quarterback's concerns by giving him a $1.5 million bonus in his contract, saying the money would be payable if he's traded.

But it is notable the Dolphins did not give Pennington the no-trade clause.

So Miami can trade Pennington.

Well, the Monday morning columnist could say, the team shouldn't do this because losing Pennington leaves them no reliable backup in case Henne is injured or flops in his first full season as the starter.

 "If you think you have four quarterbacks, you don't have any. We can't get four quarterbacks ready to play."

So, the number will be pared to three for next week. Then, another quarterback won't make the "Herd Idol" cut. Finally, the remaining two will go head-to-head for the starting job.

"I want to have it down to two by the time school starts (Aug. 23)," said Holliday.

So, who will be the first quarterback voted off the island?

If anybody surmises Sullivan simply because he's a true freshman. … well, that guess is off-base.

The 6-foot, 200-pound teenager has been wowing observers since arriving in Huntington for summer workouts. In fact, rumor has it Sullivan possesses the strongest throwing arm among the quarterbacks.

"That's true," said Holliday. "And you know what else? He's the best runner, too."

That's why Sullivan is very much in the midst of the competition despite his true freshman status.

"In a perfect world, you would redshirt him," said Holliday. "But if he's the best, he's going to play."
Makes sense to me.

If there were ever a time to roll the dice, it's during Doc's maiden voyage as head coach.

So, why not give this talented kid a shot?

"It's good to know I have that opportunity as a true freshman," said Sullivan. "It's a good feeling to know that they have enough confidence in me that they're not immediately redshirting me.

"If I'm ready, then I'd like to play. But if I'm not, then I'll sit down. It's just good that I'm having the opportunity."

We'll know in a hurry if the aptly-named Sullivan is up to running "the really big shew."

The clock is already ticking.

"The pressure is on, obviously," said Sullivan. "You have to perform well, if you want to play ball. That's pretty much the bottom line.

"The competition started Wednesday. And I like the competitiveness. I like going up against Willy (Korn). I remember watching Willy when I was going into high school.

"I remember watching him play high school ball against Glades Central (Fla). I still remember it. I said, 'Wow, I want to be like him and go to college.' And, now, I'm playing against him.

"It's crazy how the world brings you together."

 What isn't crazy is the premise that a true freshman could be Marshall's starting quarterback. It has happened before. Does the name Chad Pennington ring a bell?

And, yes, tight end Lee Smith thinks there's a correlation.

"Ed is a Chad Pennington guy," said Smith. "He's a leader. He's a competitor. He's the one who is going to be here when no one else is here, watching film and putting in the extra work.

Injuries sideline Buffalo Bills' Batten, Wang

The Bills have dealt with nagging ailments in training camp, but now deal with their first two significant injuries.

Two rookies, linebacker Danny Batten and offensive tackle Ed Wang, could miss several weeks with injuries that occurred the past couple of days.

"Danny hit his shoulder and it's a fairly significant injury and we're going to have to see how long that takes for him to get back," coach Chan Gailey said following Monday night's practice at St. John Fisher College.

"Ed has something they may have to operate on, and it might take him out for quite a few weeks, so we'll have to see what the doctor says. That decision will be made tomorrow."

Gailey did not say what Wang's problem was.

Lynch satisfied with work: Marshawn Lynch may be a forgotten man in the eyes of some fans, particularly after he lost his starting job to Fred Jackson last season and the Bills chose C.J. Spiller in the first round of the draft.

But Lynch, Buffalo's first-round pick in 2007, believes he still could be a valuable member of the offense if given the chance.

"They're professionals at what they do, too," Lynch said, speaking of the new coaching staff. "I'm going to leave that to them and I'm going to come and give what I've got every day. Whether it gets me on the field, whether I'm playing the same role (as last year), or they have me doing more, I'm cool with that."

It appears that Jackson is going to be the starter come Sept. 12, and Lynch may be the backup whether Spiller gets to camp soon or not. The speedy rookie is projected as a third-down back and return man, at least early on, which would mean Marshawn Lynch would share the rushing load with Jackson.

As for Spiller, Lynch said he's eager for him to arrive because he can help the team.

"That boy is fast," said Lynch. "It's unlimited to what you can expect from him. I just can't wait to get him here, get him to come be a part of this. He was here through OTAs and mini-camps, so he's pretty caught up with the offense and he's a smart kid."

Miami Dolphins 2010 Training Camp

With more than five camp practices under his belt, Marshall has done little else but impress the heck out of anyone paying attention. Players, coaches, and fans alike; it seems there is no one who is not in awe of the Dolphins' new aerial threat.

By many people in Denver, he was referred to as a "cancer" (an insensitive and potentially offensive term of which I grow exceedingly tired) in the locker room, and an overall liability. I admit (as does Brandon), he has acted questionably in the past, but I would never condemn a man that is trying to better himself and turn over a new leaf.

In all actuality, at present, we can see very little Chad Pennington of the immature Marshall that has been oft-known in the NFL as a trouble-maker.  Since his move to Miami this spring, it appears that he has at last, seen the light; finally comprehending that along with recording all-pro numbers, truly great players must also sport all-pro attitudes. 

Miami's new No. 19 has done everything he can to show that he is committed to becoming the kind of all-around player that can be viewed as an asset, as opposed to a liability.

For whatever he may or may not have done in the past, it seems the Fins' faithful have already forgiven him. Thus far, he has been the hit of Dolphins Training Camp 2010, not only for his play, but for his willingness to mingle with his new adoring fan base.

But what about his play? It's pretty safe to say that The Beast is proving to everyone that his moniker is well-deserved.

From the first day of camp, he has been stealing headlines, which have been lauding his performance, and what he brings to the team.

We've heard everything about what Brandon Marshall can do for the offense, and in all honesty, it's a lot, but what has been less discussed is his potential impact on the Dolphins' D.

Day one of camp had Dolphins Nation abuzz with talk of how Marshall Davone Bess torched Sean Smith twice in practice, and more of the same sort of news came out of days two and three. I can absolutely guarantee, covering a player like Marshall in practice is going to be absolutely invaluable for guys like Sean Smith, Vontae Davis, and the rest of the young men who comprise a burgeoning secondary.

Sean Smith had this to say: "He showed me something new I'd never seen before. He's a vet. He has been around and showed me some new tricks out there."

Setting aside what he will ultimately do for the Fins during this season's games, I immediately recognize B-Marsh's potential to improve this team on both sides of the ball, merely by virtue of his presence at the training facility. Working out with one of the NFL's elite wide receivers has put a rush-order on the development of the Dolphins' many young talents.

As far as Marshall himself, the one remaining question of the status of his hip seemed to be answered on the first day of camp. He said that it was no longer an issue, and after seeing him him in action, it's quite apparent that he was being truthful.

The super secretive Miami Dolphins are opening up their doors to you, the fans, holding an August 9th night practice at Sun Life Stadium.

While it's called a practice, I suspect coach Tony Sparano will likely put his Jake Long team under scrimmage-like situations to prepare them for the Aug. 14th exhibition opener against Tampa Bay.

Sparano usually likes to have a test run under the lights where the coaches and players use the helmets to call plays in.

No matter what the reasoning for the scrimmage, the fans benefit, especially the season-ticket holders. They will get to watch the practice from the field level, and select seats.

"One of the consistent suggestions we have heard from season ticket members Pat White over the past year was how they wanted a night practice at Sun Life Stadium," Dolphins CEO Mike Dee said. "With the help and support of our football operation, we invite all fans to watch the Dolphins take the field at Sun Life Stadium for the first time this season."

Bears offensive line coach Mike Tice

Since the Colts announced they were returning to Anderson after a 12-year absence, Anderson police and the university have been pairing with Colts counterparts to prepare living quarters, technology on campus, food and security.

"Every team has a counterpart from the Colts franchise that they've been working with," said Cheryl Shank, director of conference and performance events.

Shank and Joe Royer, executive director of facilities and physical plans, have been leading the Anderson University prep work, Shank said Saturday.

"Between the two of us, there has been a battalion working on this event," Shank said, estimating that more than 100 people had been involved, including information technology and food services teams.

The entire campus has been decorated in Colts and horseshoe banners, Colts and horseshoe flags, Colts street names, and horseshoe stickers.

"Colts fever is high," Chris Williams said Saturday.

As far as living quarters, Shank said "all the comforts of home" have been tracked down and brought into the Anderson University dorms where players will be sleeping. Those comforts include full-sized refrigerators and king-sized beds to temporarily replace the extra-long twin-sized beds typical of college rooms.

"That's been quite a process, getting all that together," Shank said.

Williams said the Colts' dietician had worked through meals with the university's food service, Creative Dining.

Shank said menus had been prepared for meals, snacks and special events. The first coordinated meal will be today's lunch.

And the Colts will not go without wireless anywhere on campus. Shank said Saturday that the team's IT department and its university counterpart had installed wireless in places where there wasn't any.

"Now everyone has the access they need," Shank said.

The IT departments also updated all of the rooms for meetings, putting in "all the technology they'll need," Shank said.

As for security, it's tight, said Anderson police Chief Darron Sparks, who met with Anderson University security head Walt Smith and the Colts security teams in Indianapolis on Friday to iron out details for the safety of the Colts and fans.

"The primary goal is to ensure that visitors have a pleasant — and safe — experience when they come to camp," Williams said.

The long and short, according to security plans Chris Williams and Sparks explained, is that fans will be allowed only onto the training fields and into Colts City.

"It's a profession for the Colts," Sparks said, noting he understands fans' enthusiasm to meet players. "They can't just be signing autographs. They've got to train."

University Boulevard will be closed between South Nursery Road and College Drive, allowing only pedestrian traffic, from today until camp ends on Aug. 18, Sparks said.

Williams said security officers from all three partners would usher away any stray fans from restricted areas, which is most of the campus.

Bears offensive line coach Mike Tice was pleased with the start of his players at this training camp.

But he didn't anoint anyone in the unit, including six-time Pro Bowl selection Olin Kreutz.

Asked if Kreutz could return to Pro Bowl form, Tice said, "I graded the whole season, and I didn't feel he was far below that level."

Tice said Kreutz was No. 1, but he added that the 33-year-old veteran had some things that "over time, he's let lapse, technique wise."

"He's going to work and has worked diligently to clean some of those Jay Cutler things up. And if he does that, and he holds up, and I'm smart with him and don't overwork him, yeah, I think he can (return to the Pro Bowl)," Tice said. "I think he has some juice left."

It's interesting that Tice said Kevin Schaffer received the second-highest grade. If that's the case, then Schaffer's job security sure looks good, especially since he's played both guard and tackle.

Here are other highlights from Tice:

* On Chris Williams: "He can be whatever he wants to be. I'd like to see a little bit more tenacity there. But, we can't change people's make up."

On how the winner of the left guard starting spot will be determined: "Consistency at the position. At the end of the play, you're blocking your guy a lot more than you're not. Aggression. Good decisionmaking."