Skip to main content
Advertising

Around the League

Presented By

Top storylines for teams starting mandatory minicamp

Today, 23 teams start their three-day mandatory minicamps. In order to keep them straight, Around The League compiled a quick look at some of the questions and storylines facing each of those teams. Clearly, this is not an exhaustive list of story angles.

Mandatory minicamps

Arizona Cardinals:Carson Palmer said rookie Tyrann Mathieureminds him of Troy Polamalu. Is that true or do Palmer and the other quarterbacks just make him look that way?

Baltimore Ravens: How will all of the new defensive pieces mesh? Will offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell tinker with the offense at all now that he has offseason control?

Buffalo Bills:Kevin Kolb and EJ Manuel will battle for the starting quarterback job. Will one separate himself from the group?

Carolina Panthers: How will Cam Newton's wide receiver corps beyond Steve Smith shake out? Will the young defensive tackles show enough promise to make up for the ghosts in the secondary?

Chicago Bears: How will the revamped offensive line look protecting Jay Cutler, who's learning another new offense? How will Brian Urlacher's replacements fill in?

Cincinnati Bengals: How will the offense coalesce with the additions of dynamic playmaking rookies Tyler Eifert and Giovani Bernard? How will Marvin Lewis react to Adam "Pacman" Jones' recent arrest?

Dallas Cowboys: How difficult will it be for the defensive players to pick up Monte Kiffin's scheme? Will the offensive line block anyone this season?

Denver Broncos: It's sounding more and more like rookie Montee Ball will be given the chance to lose the running back job. Will he display enough of a learning curve to appease Peyton Manning?

Detroit Lions: Can Riley Reiff play left tackle? Who will play on the right side of the offensive line? Do the Lions have a third starting linebacker?

Breer: Who's really in charge?

albert_breer_author-65x90_2013.jpg

When it comes to building an NFL roster, hierarchies vary from team to team. Albert Breer reveals all 32 power structures. **More ...**

Houston Texans: Is rookie wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins as good as every report out of Houston tells us he is? How will all the injured defensive players return to form?

Indianapolis Colts:Andrew Luck might know most of the new offense, but how will the rest of the team pick it up?

Jacksonville Jaguars: Who in the name of Shad Khan's mustache is going to play quarterback? How quickly will Gus Bradley's young, revamped secondary become NFL ready?

Miami Dolphins: Will all of the new, shiny and expensive offensive toys jell quickly enough to help Ryan Tannehill's upward trajectory?

New England Patriots: Will Tim Tebow do enough to make the roster as a quarterback? How are the Patriots going to replace Wes Welker's productivity?

New York Giants: Hakeem Nicksshowed up, Victor Cruz did not. Will Cruz's contract issues have any effect on the field?

New York Jets:Mark Sanchez vs. Geno Smith. Do the Jets have any playmakers on offense? What color headband is Sanchize wearing today?

Oakland Raiders: Will quarterback Matt Flynn get a starting job snatched away from him by a rookie for the second straight offseason? Was the zone blocking scheme really the problem with Darren McFadden last season?

Instant Debate: Best play-caller?

Sean Payton-65x90.jpg

Who is the top play-caller in the NFL today? Our analysts praise New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, among others. **More ...**

Pittsburgh Steelers: What does the wide receiver corps look like without Mike Wallace? Can Landry Jones progress enough to push Bruce Gradkowski for the backup quarterback job?

San Diego Chargers:Manti Te'o's transition to the NFL will get all the attention. The offensive line should be the place most Charger fans are watching. How will the O-line keep Philip Rivers upright?

San Francisco 49ers: How difficult will it be to replace Michael Crabtree's production? How will rookie safety Eric Reid fill in for the departed veteran, Dashon Goldson?

Seattle Seahawks: How many roles willPercy Harvin play right off the bat? How will the defensive line -- once viewed as a strength, but now a question mark -- develop with its new pieces?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers:Darrelle Revis will attend minicamp, but won't participate. The man to watch all offseason -- and season -- is Josh Freeman. In a contract year, how will Freeman prove to coach Greg Schiano that he can be the quarterback of now and the future?

Washington Redskins: How much has backup QB Kirk Cousins really progressed this offseason -- just in case he needs to play a game or four this season? How does pass rusher Brian Orakpo look as he returns from injury? How many updates on Robert Griffin III's right knee will be read in three days?

Follow Kevin Patra on Twitter @kpatra.

This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an issue.

Related Content