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

Buccaneers Mini Camp Update

This update is slightly behind schedule, but it is here now. Buccaneers mini camp opened last Tuesday and it was a newsworthy day for the Bucs. One of the reasons it was newsworthy is that despite it being mandatory there were some that missed. It was missed by blog favorite Amobi Okoye. He had a pretty good excuse though. Okoye had arthroscopic knee surgery that caused him to miss that date.

Okoye elected to have the surgery now, rather than have further complications down the road. The procedure he underwent is considered relatively minor. He is expected to make a full recovery and be back in time for training camp in late July. I'll try to go to a day or two of training camp before the season starts and post about it here. It is unfortunate that Okoye missed mini camp, but good that he won't be out for long.

Da'Quan Bowers also was not at mini-camp as he ruptured his Achilles tendon. Don't expect Bowers on the field this season. The other person to miss was DT Brian Price, the former UCLA standout. Price, heading into his 3rd season, was excused from Day 1 of the mini camp.

Eric Wright finally showed up for the Bucs as they install their new defense. Wright is a guy who has high expectations, as he just signed a 37.5 million dollar contract.

Finally, Preston Parker is impressing at Bucs camp. I had a class with Preston Parker and I have to say that he is a very entertaining character. Obviously, as a FSU guy, I have always been impressed with his talent. However, as an FSU guy I was frustrated with a lot of his off the field antics. It appears at least that Parker has put it together, and I really hope that he has. The sky is the limit for this guy if he has put it together. In fact, Josh Freeman has said that Parker is one of the most improved players that the Bucs have. Wide receiver is very competitive for the Bucs now though, because they signed Vincent Jackson. Josh Freeman has got to be happy with this receiving corps.

Former Alabama safety Mark Barron remains unsigned.

-Noland