Getting Ready For Each NFL Training Camp (NFC Edition)

So it has been a while since I have posted on here and so much has happened. The MLB season is halfway done, the Spurs lost a thrilling 7 game series to the Heat, a record number of Seminoles were picked in the NFL and so much more. No story is more interesting than the fact that football once again is around the corner. With NFL training camp starting this week, I get you ready with my most relevant question (for this blog) for each NFL training camp.

Today I look at the NFC Teams. Tomorrow, will be our AFC Edition.


NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
Is Tony Romo worth all that money?
Short answer is no. Romo is not worth that money, but it will be the story all training camp long and into the season.

New York Giants
Honestly this is the camp that probably means the least to us here at RAN (not a good or bad thing), but there still are some interesting things happening at Giants camp.
Will the Giants secondary look improved?
If not, it could be a long season for big blue.

Philadelphia Eagles
Will Ed Wang make the Eagles?
Friend of the blog, Ed Wang, signed with the Eagles in the offseason. We obviously are rooting for him and think he will make it and will be closely monitoring the story.

Washington Redskins
Will Brandon Jenkins end up looking like the steal of the draft?
I know what you are thinking; everyone else is talking about RG3 so why aren't you Noland?
1) I want you to get something different out of this blog
2) Brandon Jenkins is a blog favorite
3) With a heavy FSU following, the people want Brandon Jenkins
4) RG3 will be RG3 and there is nothing more to it
5) Brandon Jenkins is a 1st round talent that fell due to injury
Lots of intrigue here. Should be fun to see what Jenkins can do for the Skins.

NFC North
Chicago Bears
Can the Bears replace Urlacher?
Brian Urlacher was another favorite of this blog. He was an impact player and a leader. While I thought he was a bit overrated, I understood the value he brought especially to that team. Eventhough he was old, he will not be that easy to replace. If they can replace Urlacher effectively it will be a huge benefit to the Bears because of how injury prone the middle linebacker was.

Detroit Lions
Does Chris Hope have anything left?
Hope hasn't started a full schedule in two years, but he is a former Super Bowl Champ. He is coming into his 12th NFL season and could be a great addition to a terrible defense. If Hope can replicate his 2010 production Detroit will have a vastly improved secondary.

Green Bay Packers
Will Andrew Datko see the field?
The former 4 yr starter at FSU could help upgrade that line, but how many chances will he get to do so?

Minnesota Vikings
What can we expect from Christian Ponder?
Ponder was hurt for the playoffs last year, but had a great finish to the season other than that. If Ponder can duplicate that success across the whole season, it will quiet the doubters. The former FSU QB can and will have a productive season in my opinion. With the additions of Greg Jennings and Patterson, Ponder has much better weapons this season.

NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
If Jackson goes down who is the running back?
With Steven Jackson's injury history, it will be very interesting to see who the #2 back is for the Falcons. Maybe it is former FSU RB Antone Smith. If Smith gets the opportunity this could be his breakout year.

Carolina Panthers
Will Graham Gano transition to elite kicker?
Gano was the best kicker in the country at Florida State, but hasn't had the most success in the pros. He could take that next step this season.

New Orleans Saints
Will Broderick Bunkley finally break out?
Bunkley has been one of the most disappointing FSU draft picks in recent memory. He was once considered on par with Haloti Ngata and has yet to make a serious impact. Could this finally be his year? If not he may not be in the league much longer.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Can Josh Freeman hold off Mike Glennon?
It seems like Josh Freeman will get this year to prove himself, but what if he struggles heading into his final year? Could the coaches go with Glennon and try to work toward the future if they realize Freeman isn't their guy? I think this is a lot more of a QB battle than most people think.

NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
Can Arians work his magic in a tough division?
We all saw the amazing coaching job that Bruce Arians did with the Colts last year. Can he replicate that magic with the Cardinals in the best division in football. If he does it will make for some disappointed NFC West fans. We may not find out during training camp, but we could find out.

St. Louis Rams
Can Bradford lead the Rams to the playoffs?
I am high on Sam Bradford and always have been. He is a good Christian man and an effective leader. He lead the Rams to the best record against NFC West opponents. Look for him to build on last year's success and lead the Rams to the playoffs.

San Francisco 49ers
Where does Anquan Boldin fit?
Anquan Boldin is one of my favorite football player and he got traded to one of my least favorite teams. It will be interesting to see how the 49ers use him with Crabtree and Davis in the fold. He makes the 49ers offense a joy to watch, that is for sure.

Seattle Seahawks
How disappointed will the Seahawks be with Percy Harvin?
Percy Harvin is being treated like football's greatest weapon heading to Seattle. Let's not forget that this guy has yet to get through a full NFL season. I do not see that changing anytime soon. I hope I am wrong, but don't be surprised if he is out by the end of training camp.

-Noland

Athlon Sports Ranks FSU #9

Athlon Sports is doing a daily countdown of their football rankings leading up to the release of their magazine and yesterday unveiled that FSU is # 9 on their list. They devoted an entire day to the Seminoles and their football history in honor of this occasion. Several of these topics I will cover during the next few days, but I decided to focus on the team preview for 2012 today. However, also included yesterday were the greatest Seminoles since 1967, the top ten Seminoles this year, is FSU back?, team predictions as far as awards, and greatest Seminole moments. Those great articles will be shared over the next couple of days again. Here is the team preview.

FSU is predicted to be #9 in the ACC and #1 in the ACC Atlantic. They have very similar predictions to last year, but it is because they have most starters and backups coming back. The preview starts talking about EJ Manuel and how fans expectations aren't as high of him after last season. Many of us do believe that he has what it takes to lead us to an undefeated season though. Big positive factors for the FSU passing game include Willie Haulstead returning from a concussion after missing 2011. Rashard Greene returning after being the leading receiver and big play threat Rodney Smith also returning.

Chris Thompson returns at runningback after missing most of last season with a back injury. His presence should help the Seminoles. The return of freshman phenom Devonta Freeman will also help the Seminole backfield. This duo should give the Noles a great 1-2 punch. Freeman is 5'8, can you think of another 5'8 Seminole who became a legend at runningback?

As Athlon points out, the biggest question surrounds the offensive line. The Noles lose Andrew Datko and Zebrie Sanders and must replace them. Datko missed most of last year already so that one isn't as big of a loss, but what about Sanders. Zebrie broke an ACC record for most starts so that will be difficult to overcome. The Noles look prepared to replace them, but you can never be too sure. This is the key to the season in my opinion. How the offense line plays will be crucial in the Noles success.


The FSU defensive line is as good as anybody. Led by senior Brandon Jenkins, who dominated spring practice, this unit is as good as any in the country. Jenkins decided to return for his senior year and the Noles will benefit from it. The Noles also return Bjoern Werner who was an animal last season. It will be incredibly difficult for opposing teams to block Jenkins and Werner. Not only that, but the Seminoles had the top defensive line recruiting class. These guys are loaded up front. They pulled the #1 recruit in the nation off and he will likely play tackle for the Noles. Sophomore Tim Jernigan was named pre-season All-ACC along with the two ends and will likely lead the Noles on the inside. Absolutely loaded at defensive line.

The Seminole secondary also looks very strong with the returns of Xavier Rhodes and LaMarcus Joyner. Although I am not as big of a Greg Reid fan as most Seminoles, his return is also huge. The secondary looks good and so do the linebackers. Nigel Bradham is gone at linebacker, but that could be a good thing for the Noles. Christian Jones slides over to Bradham's spot and Athlon says that he appears to be more of a playmaker. This could be great news for the Noles.

Shawn Powell is gone to the Buffalo Bills as a punter and the Noles will have to replace him. You may not think much of a punter, but Seminole fans have seen how much the team has benefited from Powell and Gano in recent years. Who will take over for Powell? Luckily, we don't have the same problem at kicker, as Dustin Hopkins returns. Hopkins may be the best in the nation at his spot. I actually feel somewhat comfortable when Hopkins comes out to kick, which as we all know is rare for FSU kickers.



After all the injuries and devastation of 2011, the Noles should be able to win the ACC Title in 2012 with everyone back. We will see shortly. Football season is 120 days away.

-Noland

Datko to Green Bay

The Green Bay Packers have made a wise decision in selecting Andrew Datko here in the seventh round. Datko has great size at 6'6 321. Andrew Datko in my opinion is the better athlete and had a better career than Zebrie Sanders. He unfortunately had the shoulder injury and there is no telling if he will be healthy as a professional. Before he got hurt Datko was projected to go in the second round. The guy can block. Can he get healthy? Let's hope he can get healthy and that he has a long and productive NFL career. Congrats Mr. Datko on getting picked by a tremendous organization.

-Noland