Training camp season is officially under way. Just 46 days away from the start of the regular season, the Dolphins and Cowboys – the two teams set to play in the NFL’s Hall of Fame game on August 4 – have begun training camp. Already, there is plenty of news to talk about.
This is the start of a daily series that will culminate all of the day’s most notable news from around the NFL. Injuries, depth charts, fantasy discussion – it will all be here, every day. Let’s jump into it.
Ronnie Hillman Begins Camp as Starting Running Back
Rookie running back Montee Ball won’t uproot Hillman as the starter immediately, although it could come eventually. Vice president of football operations John Elway has notably talked Hillman’s fantasy value down, calling him a “change-of-pace” running back, while he and Peyton Manning have had nothing but praise for Ball. The Denver Post reported that Ball will come into camp asa third-down back and a “rotational runner” on the first two downs. Hillman currently serves as a superior value in comparison to Ball, who, in my opinion, has one of the most over-exaggerated ADP's in fantasy football.
Cowboys Run-Defender Tyrone Crawford Suffers Torn Achilles
Crawford was a third-round pick in the 2012 draft, and was projected as the No. 3 defensive end in the Cowboys’ new 4-3 scheme with Monte Kiffin at the helm. Instead, of serving as a key backup to Anthony Spencer and Demarcus Ware, Crawford will be watching from the sidelines. Crawford appeared in all 16 games in 2013 as he tallied 20 tackles. Defensive line depth now stands thin with Cameron Scheffield and Monte Taylor now expected to fill Crawford’s role. Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas suggested that the team could move a defensive tackle to end to cope with the loss of Crawford.
Jay Ratliff Misses Practice, MRI Coming
Another injury for the Cowboys. Ratliff reported to camp with a bulky hamstring and missed the team’s first training camp practice. It’s no surprise, as Ratliff missed much of last season with various leg injuries, including a sports hernia surgery, and his age is rising. Ratliff will be 32 before the first game of the season and has slowly declined since 2008. However, 2012 marked the first season that Ratliff missed games since 2007, when he missed only one. With Josh Brent out of the picture and the defense lacking size, it’s important that Ratliff can play a healthy year in 2013.
Dolphins Second-Year Tight End Michael Egnew Falling
After being drafted in the third round in 2012, Egnew is running with the third-and fourth team offenses in Dolphins training camp, according to The Miami Herald. Dustin Keller, Charles Clay, and rookie Dion Sims are running ahead of Egnew as of now. Yes, a rookie as already surpassed Egnew. It’s not a good look for Egnew, who did not catch a pass in 2012. It sounds as if Egnew could be a camp casualty.
Browns Sign Barkevious Mingo
Mingo was one of the only remaining early picks that had not been signed. The sides agreed to a four-year deal. Mingo was the last Browns draft pick that had not signed yet. Mingo is expected to serve strictly as a pass-catcher in the Browns’ defense, similar to what Aldon Smith did with a 49ers a few years ago as a rookie.
Rams COO Kevin Demoff Talks About the Offense
On the receivers: “The goal this year is for Sam (Bradford) to be able to throw to the “open” player, and I expect that we will get meaningful contributions from al 5 WR’s, the 2 TE’s and the running backs. I think you could see this offense resemble an offense like the Saints where you have four or five players catch 40-50 balls but nobody who catches 70 or 80.” Demoff also mentioned that Brian Quick is not, in fact, the fourth receiver on the depth chart, as a past report said. I rank Rams wide receivers as the following, although none make my top 30: Chris Givens, Tavon Austin, Quick, Stedman Bailey.