NFL 2014: A training
It's that time again, folks. Your thirst for football is about to be quenched.
The first batch of NFL veterans reports to training camp Saturday at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, N.Y., longtime camp site of the Buffalo Bills. Thirty-one other teams will follow suit soon after.
Here are some of the stories everyone will be talking about as camps open across the country:
1. SUMMER OF LeJOHN
Before LeBron James jolted the sports world - OK, the whole world - by announcing he was coming home, Cleveland already was rocking thanks to the drafting of Johnny Manziel. Now, on the eve of his first training camp with the Browns, all eyes are on Johnny Football, including TMZ's. Manziel has made headlines across the Internet and social media by partying from coast to coast this offseason with models, Rob Gronkowski and Justin Bieber, among others. Because of who he is and how he carries himself, no rookie will face more scrutiny than Manziel.
2. ALWAYS COMPETE, NEVER REPEAT
The Seattle Seahawks face a daunting challenge as they open camp as defending Super Bowl champions: No champ has repeated since the 2004 New England Patriots. The Seahawks do have something - or someone - on their side, though. Pete Carroll directed an unprecedented run of sustained success at USC, leading the Trojans to seven consecutive seasons featuring double-digit victories and BCS bowl berths. If anyone can prevent a team from becoming complacent, it's the hyperactive Carroll.
3. TREND-BUCKING BRONCOS?
The outlook is even bleaker for the Denver Broncos, last season's runners-up: No Super Bowl loser has made it back to the big game the following season since the Buffalo Bills' four-year run in the early 1990s. That didn't stop the Broncos from loading up on veteran free agents to try to jam a title into Peyton Manning's closing championship window. The defense should be better, but did Denver do enough to upgrade an offensive line that Seattle manhandled?
4. CAMP CRITICAL FOR CAM
Last summer, the most analyzed quarterback body part in the NFL was Robert Griffin III's right knee. This summer, it's Cam Newton's left ankle. The Carolina Panthers star missed the majority of spring workouts while recovering from March surgery. Although he reportedly is ahead of schedule, Newton still has a lot of catching up to do with a revamped receiving corps that no longer features Steve Smith and lacks a No. 1 option. The odds are against Carolina matching its 12-4 record of a year ago.
5. HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?
Speaking of Griffin, the focus in Washington this summer will be on the relationship between RG3 and new coach Jay Gruden. Can Jon Gruden's younger brother get the best out of Griffin after a disappointing, drama-filled 2013? Jay Gruden is one of seven new head coaches in the NFL, and one of four first-timers. Eight teams had new coaches last year, and three (Kansas City, Philadelphia, San Diego) made the playoffs. Another (Arizona) went 10-6. So the class of 2014 has a lot to live up to as camps open.
AFC HEADLINES YOU MIGHT READ THIS SUMMER
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