The OTAs and minicamp frenzy is over. Players, coaches, and team personnel are all going on vacations, going home, or doing whatever they like to do with their free-time. You can add media to that list too. The dust has finally settled. So why don’t we take a look in at some recent minicamp storylines? Let’s get into it.
Rob Gronkowski Surgery Date Set
We’ve know the Gronk was going to undergo surgery on his back before the season, and now, thanks to the most reliable man in football media, we have a date. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Gronkowski will undergo back surgery this Tuesday in Los Angeles, CA. It’s still of my belief that Gronkowski will be on the PUP to start the season and will miss the first six weeks. That’s talking to a few medical doctors around the NFL. Although the surgery is “minor”, recovery time varies, and it’s highly unlikely that he ever gets back to 100 percent. I’m staying away in fantasy football if I can, for what it’s worth. Jake Ballard will assume the role of Gronkowski while he is out in training camp and preseason.
Ronnie Hillman To Start Season as Broncos’ Week 1 Starter?
The Broncos running back competition is really heating up, but it became clearer this week. The Broncos released running back Willis McGahee, who skipped out on voluntary organized team activities early this month and is dealing with a knee injury, just two days ago. That leaves rookie Montee Ball, 2012 third-round pick Ronnie Hillman, and veteran Knowshon Moreno in the backfield.
The remnants pose a lack of bruisers in the Broncos’ backfield, and true experience. However, Hillman, who impressed the coaches with his performance in the playoffs against the Ravens last season, is expected to be the starter in Week 1, as it stands now. The Sacramento Bee had a nice little nugget on the running back situation: “Hillman is the starter for the season opener. Ball assumes the position by the end of September. We see plenty of Moreno, in part because he's their most reliable pass-blocker and protecting Peyton Manning is priority No. 1.”
That’s what I have to go off of right now. As much as Manning has been working with Ball, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him be announced the starter before Week One, but at the same time, Moreno is probably the most complete back in Denver, although he’s not being talked about as the starter as of now because he is slowly getting back to 100 percent after his kne injury in last season’s playoff game against the Ravens. This is one of the many running back situations to watch when we get into training camps in late July.
Patriots Wide Receiver Corps is Coming into Focus… Sort of… Kind of… Not Really
It sounds like rookie wide receiver has been a feast or famine players, showing flashes but also losing concentration at times which have led to drops at times. According to ESPN Boston, the Patriots are “likely countint on him to be in the mix for the second wide receiver job.” Okay, tell me something I don’t already know. “(Donald) Jones hasn’t been able to break through for first-unit repetitions”, although Michael Jenkins, Kamar Aiken and undrafted free agent Kenbrell Thompkins have served time at outside receiver.
Now that’s intriguing. Most notably to me is Thompkins. He was, by all accounts, impressive at the Texas vs The Nation game this year. He’s an exciting player to keep your eye on. Behind Danny Amendola (if he can stay on the field), the wide receiver corps is wide open. There’s Julian Edelman, who is dealing with a foot injury; rookie Josh Boyce, who I believe is more talented than Dobson; Dobson, who has received mixed reviews; Thompkins, who we discussed and is the dark horse; Jenkins, who is a ten-year veteran whose career could be over if he doesn’t make the roster. All should be competing for that No. 2 receiver job in New England.
49ers Rave Rookie Tight End Vance McDonald, and Other Notes
The most notable storyline from 49ers early goings is, who will take over for Michael Crabtree after his injury? It sounds like Anquan Boldin has already taken the No. 1 wide receiver role, so now the No. 2 wide receiver job is up for grabs among A.J. Jenkins, Quinton Patton, Ricardo Lockette, Marlon Moore, Kassim Osgood, and Chad Hall. The Sacramento Bee predicts it will be Jenkins in the No. 2 wide receiver slot, but “it’s no guarantee.”
The Sacramento Bee also noted that Vance McDonald was the biggest standout among the rookies. “He was a favorite for all the quarterbacks this spring, and he showed a real knack for catching passes that weren’t exactly on target.” He’s a huge target for his quarterbacks and could really make an impact if given the chance. McDonald can also move around the offense, as he did in Rice. If he can block well, which is yet to be seen in these non-contact practices, he could make an impact in two-tight end sets for the 49ers opposite of Vernon Davis. Worth noting that defensive end Tank Carradine is not yet practicing with the team, as he continues to recover from his ACL tear that he suffered in October.
Jaguars to Use Wide Receiver by Committee Without Justin Blackmon
Justin Blackmon was suspended for four games by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. So how will the Jaguars cope with the loss of the team’s most talented wide receiver? “By committee”, Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell said. Expect Blackmon’s “X” role to be filled by the likes of rookie Ace Sanders, Mike Brown – who Caldwell raved about on Friday, and Mohamed Massaquoi. This is good news for Cecil Shorts, and he’s going to be heavily targeted in the first four weeks of the season with Blackmon on the sideline, and he should be fantasy relevant all year long.
Since we’re on the Jaguars, I’ll also note that running back Maurice Jones-Drew is expected to be ready for training camp. “100 percent”, Caldwell said. Justin Forsett is currently running with the first team and is the handcuff for Jones-Drew in fantasy in 2013. Caldwell also said that the team will carry five quarterbacks -- Chad Henne, Blaine Gabbert, Mike Kafka, Matt Scott, Jordan Rodgers -- into training camp. Expect both Scott and Rodgers to be cut before the season, and the reast of the depth chart to fall the way that it is listed above.
Victor Cruz Looking for $9 Million a Year
Despite Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz signing his restricted free agent tender this past week, he’s still looking for a new contract. According to the New York Daily News, Cruz is looking for around $9 million in a new long-term contract. The $9 million is down from the $11 million that was rumored before his switch to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. Cruz still has the opportunity to hold out training camp under his tender, and should, considering the amount of money that he is being low-balled by the Giants.