07-Nov-2009 09:00am
 
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Training Camp Preview: AFC East

2009-07-02 10:46:08
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
RealTime Fantasy Sports

This is the first of eight stories previewing training camp, which is right around the corner. We give you some things to look for from each team as training camp draws near. Each story is broken out by division. We'll release a couple previews per week until training camp opens.

Jets

Once again, the Jets made a big splash in free agency. They signed arguably the biggest name defensive free agent on the market, grabbing linebacker Bart Scott. The Jets also have a new coach, defensive-minded Rex Ryan. As you can see, the Jets made it a point to shore up their defense. New York also has a quarterback spot up for grabs, which should make for an interesting camp. The Jets will use camp to get their defense primed for a big season and their quarterback position sorted. New York holds camp July 27 at Cortland State in Cortland, N.Y.

Position battle: The big position battle for the Jets is the starting quarterback job. Kellen Clemens will battle rookie Mark Sanchez. It would seem Sanchez would get the first shot to start, but nothing is certain at this point. Clemens knows the offense and the players around him better than Sanchez, but hasn't exactly lit it up when given chances in the past. Sanchez is raw, but has all the ability to succeed and marquee personality for New York. Either way, the job really seems to be a tossup heading into the season.

Injury watch: The Jets don't really have any huge injuries of note, which is a good thing for them. The most notable is defensive end Shaun Ellis, who had a knee scoped during the offseason. He missed much of the offseason workouts, but should be ready for training camp. Ellis could be slowed a bit early on, but should be fine for the start of the season.

Patriots

The Patriots camp is sure to be circus-like this season. Tom Brady will be the story all camp long, getting tons and tons of attention. He is coming back from a major knee injury and all eyes will be on him throughout camp. His health will be the story. We also can't forget the Patriots are a Super Bowl contender that should once again be among the elite of the league. New England gets training camp going July 36 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

Position battle: The Patriots tend to rotate running backs throughout the season, but this will be a position to watch during training camp. They have a host of backs competing for playing time - Laurence Maroney, Fred Taylor, Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk. One of these guys will get to start, though, and another might get the goal-line work. These are all important questions that need to be answered for fantasy owners before the season starts. You'll want to keep an eye on this one.

Injury watch: As mentioned, the big injury situation to watch this camp is Tom Brady. He is recovering from a major knee injury suffered the first game of last season. He had some setbacks along the way, but is apparently doing much better of late and should be ready to go for the start of the season. How he performs in training camp and the preseason, though, will be a good gauge on how close Brady is to 100 percent. His injury situation could be the top injury to watch in all of football this preseason.

Dolphins

Miami surprised everyone last season, but that won't be the case this year. Expectations will be higher for the Dolphins, who return much of their team from last season and added a few more parts for the coming year. They should once again compete for a playoff spot and inch closer to Super Bowl contender. Bill Parcells has this group headed in the right direction. The Dolphins hold camp August 1 at the Dolphins Training Center in Davie, Florida.

Position battle: The Dolphins don't really have a huge position battle of note, but something to watch is the progress of quarterback Chad Henne. If Henne makes strides from last season, he could push starter Chad Pennington for some playing time at some point in the '09 season. Henne is the future for the Dolphins at quarterback and that future could start this season.

Injury watch: Receiver Greg Camarillo is recovering from a torn ACL suffered later last season. His recovery is going very well, though, and Camarillo has a good shot to be ready for the start of the coming season. He might not be restricted much in training camp. If healthy, he is a starter for the Dolphins, so this makes his injury something of importance for fantasy owners.

Bills

The Terrell Owens media circus heads to Buffalo this season. This should make for quite the camp for the Bills. Owens can be a huge distraction. We'll be anxious to see how the Bills handle all of this. But with that said, expectations are higher in Buffalo this season with Owens aboard and more talent on both sides of the ball. The Bills are focused on making the playoffs and will get their quest started July 25 at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, N.Y.

Position battle: Marshawn Lynch is the starter at running back for the Bills, but he will be suspended early in the season, leaving the starting job open for a few weeks. Fred Jackson is likely to be the starter, but the Bills also signed veteran Dominic Rhodes to add more depth to the Bills roster. Rhodes could challenge Jackson for playing time. If Jackson doesn't get off to a good start in camp and the preseason, Rhodes could take that starting job from him.

Injury watch: Receiver James Hardy had his rookie season cut short because of a torn ACL. And the injury makes him no sure thing to be ready for the start of the coming season. He could be slowed in camp and early in the year. His entire '09 season is in doubt.

If you have any questions or comments, please email Jeff Paur at jeff@rtsports.com


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Fantasy Football Player Notes RSS FeedPLAYER NOTES

Jason FergusonNov 6 08:33p

Miami Dolphins DT Jason Ferguson (elbow) and LB Channing Crowder (shoulder) were limited in practice Friday, Nov. 6, but both are listed as doubtful for Week 9.

Devin HesterNov 6 08:33p

Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Bears WR Devin Hester (ankle) was limited in practice Friday, Nov. 6. He is listed as questionable for Week 9, [ More ]

Jack WilliamsNov 6 07:03p

Denver Broncos CB Jack Williams (illness) and SS David Bruton (groin) fully participated in practice Friday, Nov. 6. They are expected to play in Week 9.

Calvin JohnsonNov 6 07:03p

Nicholas J. Cotsonika, of the Detroit Free Press, reports Detroit Lions WR Calvin Johnson (knee) practiced Friday, Nov. 6, and is expected to play in Week 9. He looked [ More ]

Scott StarksNov 6 07:03p

Jacksonville Jaguars CB Scott Starks (hamstring) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 6. He has been ruled out for Week 9.

Josh BarrettNov 6 06:53p

Denver Broncos FS Josh Barrett (undisclosed) was limited during practice Friday, Nov. 6. He will be a game-time decision for Week 9 but should play.

Kevin SmithNov 6 06:53p

Nicholas J. Cotsonika, of the Detroit Free Press, reports Detroit Lions RB Kevin Smith (shoulder) practiced Friday, Nov. 6, and is expected to play in Week 9.

Jeremiah RatliffNov 6 06:43p

Dallas Cowboys DT Jay Ratliff (knee) and SS Gerald Sensabaugh (thumb) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 6. They are listed as probable for Week 9 and will be able to play.

Demetric EvansNov 6 06:23p

Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers DL Demetric Evans (shoulder) did not practice Friday, Nov. 6, and will not play in Week 9.

Takeo SpikesNov 6 06:23p

Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers LB Takeo Spikes (shoulder) practiced in full Friday, Nov. 6, and is expected to play in Week 9.

Reggie SmithNov 6 06:23p

Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers CB Reggie Smith (groin) practiced in full Friday, Nov. 6, and is probable for Week 9. He will be a game-time decision.

Kelvin HaydenNov 6 06:23p

Indianapolis Colts CB Kelvin Hayden (knee) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 6. He has been ruled out for Week 9.

Stephen SpachNov 6 06:03p

Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com, reports Arizona Cardinals TE Stephen Spach (ankle) practiced in full Friday, Nov. 6, and is probable for Week 9. He will be available, but might [ More ]

David StewartNov 6 06:03p

Jim Wyatt, of The Tennessean, reports Tennessee Titans OT David Stewart (hamstring) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 26. He is listed as questionable for Week 9 and [ More ]

Nick FergusonNov 6 05:53p

Houston Texans DL Tim Bulman (ribs), LB Xavier Adibi (ankle), LB Kevin Bentley (shoulder) and SS Nick Ferguson (knee) are expected to play in the team's Week 9 game.

Benjamin WatsonNov 6 05:43p

New England Patriots TE Benjamin Watson (back) was limited during practice Friday, Nov. 6. He is listed as questionable for Week 9 and will be a game-time decision.

Matt LightNov 6 05:33p

New England Patriots WR Julian Edelman (forearm), RB Fred Taylor (ankle), RB Sammy Morris (knee), OT Matt Light (knee) and DL Jarvis Green (knee) did not participate in practice [ More ]

Donald BrownNov 6 05:13p

Indianapolis Colts RB Donald Brown (shoulder) did not practice Friday, Nov. 6, and is questionable for Week 9.

Pierre GarconNov 6 05:13p

Indianapolis Colts WR Pierre Garcon (ankle) did not practice Friday, Nov. 6, and is questionable for Week 9.

Sinorice MossNov 6 05:13p

Ralph Vacchiano, of the New York Daily News, reports New York Giants WR Sinorice Moss (foot) and WR Mario Manningham (shoulder) will be able to play in Week 9.

Chris CantyNov 6 05:13p

Ralph Vacchiano, of the New York Daily News, reports New York Giants DT Chris Canty (calf) and LB Michael Boley (knee) are expected to play in Week 9.

Dominique BarberNov 6 05:13p

Houston Texans SS Dominique Barber (ankle) did not practice Friday, Nov. 6, and will not play in Week 9.

Antonio BryantNov 6 05:03p

Roy Cummings, of The Tampa Tribune, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Antonio Bryant (knee) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 6. He is listed as questionable for Week [ More ]

Michael ClaytonNov 6 04:53p

Roy Cummings, of The Tampa Tribune, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Michael Clayton (wrist) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 6. He is listed as questionable for Week 9 but is expected to play.

Jeremi JohnsonNov 6 04:43p

Joe Reedy, of The Cincinnati Enquirer, reports Cincinnati Bengals RB Bernard Scott (knee) and FB Jeremi Johnson (knee) are expected to play in Week 9.

Roy WilliamsNov 6 04:43p

Joe Reedy, of The Cincinnati Enquirer, reports Cincinnati Bengals DL Tank Johnson (foot) and SS Roy L. Williams (forearm) will be game-time decisions for Week 9 but are expected to play.

Brian WestbrookNov 6 04:33p

Les Bowen, of the Philadelphia Daily News, reports Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid indicated that RB Brian Westbrook (concussion) should be able to play in Week 9.

Jason PetersNov 6 04:33p

Les Bowen, of the Philadelphia Daily News, reports Philadelphia Eagles OG Nick Cole (knee), OG Todd Herremans (foot), OG Max Jean-Gilles (shoulder) and OT Jason Peters (ankle) will be [ More ]

Darren HowardNov 6 04:33p

Les Bowen, of the Philadelphia Daily News, reports Philadelphia Eagles DE Darren Howard (ankle) and DE Chris Clemons (shoulder, elbow) will be able to play in Week 9.

Jarret JohnsonNov 6 04:23p

Jamison Hensley, of The Baltimore Sun, reports Baltimore Ravens LS Matt Katula (elbow), LB Jarret Johnson (shoulder), SS Haruki Nakamura (chest), LB Prescott Burgess (illness) and CB Frank Walker [ More ]

Curtis LoftonNov 6 04:03p

D. Orlando Ledbetter, of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, reports Atlanta Falcons LB Curtis Lofton (knee, ankle) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 6. He is listed as questionable for Week 9 but is expected to play.

Brian FinneranNov 6 04:03p

D. Orlando Ledbetter, of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, reports Atlanta Falcons WR Brian Finneran (ankle) and DT Jonathan Babineaux (ankle) were limited during practice Friday, Nov. 6. They are listed [ More ]

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