20-Nov-2009 19:05pm
 
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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

Jarret JohnsonNov 20 04:43p

Jamison Hensley, of The Baltimore Sun, reports Baltimore Ravens LB Tavares Gooden (head) and LB Jarret Johnson (shoulder) fully participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. They are listed as [ More ]

Brian FinneranNov 20 04:33p

D. Orlando Ledbetter, of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, reports Atlanta Falcons WR Brian Finneran (knee) has been ruled out for Week 11.

Aaron KampmanNov 20 04:23p

Pete Dougherty, of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, reports Green Bay Packers LB Aaron Kampman (concussion) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as probable for Week 11 [ More ]

Brady PoppingaNov 20 04:23p

Pete Dougherty, of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, reports Green Bay Packers LB Brady Poppinga (quadriceps) and LB Desmond Bishop (ankle) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. They are listed [ More ]

Reggie BushNov 20 04:13p

ESPN.com reports New Orleans Saints RB Reggie Bush (knee) did not practice Friday, Nov. 20, and is questionable for Week 11.

Johnny JollyNov 20 04:13p

Pete Dougherty, of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, reports Green Bay Packers FS John Kuhn (hand), C Scott Wells (concussion), DE Johnny Jolly (back) and LB Brad Jones (concussion) participated [ More ]

Mike VrabelNov 20 04:03p

Adam Teicher, of The Kansas City Star, reports Kansas City Chiefs LB Mike Vrabel (knee) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as doubtful for [ More ]

Cedric BensonNov 20 03:53p

Joe Reedy, of The Cincinnati Enquirer, reports Cincinnati Bengals RB Cedric Benson (hip) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as doubtful for Week 11.

Laveranues ColesNov 20 03:53p

Joe Reedy, of The Cincinnati Enquirer, reports Cincinnati Bengals WR Laveranues Coles (head) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as probable for Week 11 and will be able to play.

Keith RiversNov 20 03:53p

Joe Reedy, of The Cincinnati Enquirer, reports Cincinnati Bengals LB Keith Rivers (calf) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as doubtful for Week 11.

Chike OkeaforNov 20 03:43p

Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com, reports Arizona Cardinals LB Chike Okeafor (back) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He has been ruled out for Week 11. LB Bertrand [ More ]

Karlos DansbyNov 20 03:43p

Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com, reports Arizona Cardinals LB Karlos Dansby (shoulder), CB Bryant McFadden (ankle) and CB Michael Adams (hamstring) were limited during practice Friday, Nov. 20. They are [ More ]

Ben PatrickNov 20 03:33p

Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com, reports Arizona Cardinals TE Ben Patrick (knee) fully participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as questionable for Week 11 and could be [ More ]

Reggie WellsNov 20 03:33p

Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com, reports Arizona Cardinals OG Reggie Wells (thumb) and DE Kenny Iwebema (knee) fully participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. They are listed as probable for [ More ]

Jim LeonhardNov 20 03:23p

The Associated Press reports New York Jets FS Jim Leonhard (thumb) was limited in practice Friday, Nov. 20, and is questionable for Week 11 with a broken right thumb. [ More ]

Travis KirschkeNov 20 03:13p

Pittsburgh Steelers DE Travis Kirschke (calf) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He has been ruled out for Week 11.

Michael TurnerNov 20 03:13p

D. Orlando Ledbetter, of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, reports Atlanta Falcons RB Michael Turner (ankle) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as doubtful for Week [ More ]

Roddy WhiteNov 20 03:13p

D. Orlando Ledbetter, of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, reports Atlanta Falcons WR Roddy White (knee) was limited during practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as questionable for Week 11 [ More ]

Jerious NorwoodNov 20 03:13p

D. Orlando Ledbetter, of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, reports Atlanta Falcons RB Jerious Norwood (hip) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as questionable for Week 11 and will be available.

Ashton YoubotyNov 20 03:03p

Buffalo Bills OT Demetrius Bell (knee), LB Keith Ellison (thigh) and CB Ashton Youboty (ankle) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. They have been ruled out for Week 11.

Terrence McGeeNov 20 03:03p

Buffalo Bills CB Terrence McGee (knee) was limited during practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as questionable for Week 11 and is not expected to play.

A. HaynesworthNov 20 02:53p

Ryan O'Halloran, of The Washington Times, reports Washington Redskins DT Albert Haynesworth (ankle) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as questionable for Week 11 [ More ]

Marcus StroudNov 20 02:53p

Buffalo Bills DT Marcus Stroud (knee) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He has been ruled out for the team's Week 11 game.

Danny WareNov 20 02:43p

Paul Schwartz, of the New York Post, reports New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said the team believes RB Danny Ware is capable of handling the duties of [ More ]

Troy PolamaluNov 20 02:43p

ESPN reports Pittsburgh Steelers SS Troy Polamalu (knee) has been ruled out for Week 11.

Brian WestbrookNov 20 02:33p

ESPNews reports Philadelphia Eagles RB Brian Westbrook (concussion) will be out in Week 11 and likely the two following weeks as well.

Garrett WolfeNov 20 02:23p

Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports the Chicago Bears have placed RB Garrett Wolfe (kidney) on Injured Reserve, ending his 2009 season.

Antonio BryantNov 20 01:13p

Charlie Campbell and Jim Flynn, of PewterReport.com, report Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Antonio Bryant (knee) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as probable for Week 11.

Byron LeftwichNov 20 01:13p

Charlie Campbell and Jim Flynn, of PewterReport.com, report Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Aqib Talib (hamstring) and QB Byron Leftwich (elbow) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. They are listed as probable for Week 11.

Clinton PortisNov 20 01:03p

Rick Maese, of The Washington Post, reports Washington Redskins RB Clinton Portis (concussion) is scheduled to travel to Pittsburgh to meet with a specialist regarding his concussion.

C. BuckhalterNov 20 12:43p

Denver Broncos RB Correll Buckhalter (knee) did not participate in practice Thursday, Nov. 19.

Kyle OrtonNov 20 12:43p

Denver Broncos QB Kyle Orton (ankle) did not participate in practice Thursday, Nov. 19. The Broncos have not ruled him out for Week 11 and said he is feeling better.

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