Top Preseason NFL Roster Storylines - JohnDoe8865's Blog

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Top Preseason NFL Roster Storylines Stuck

Posted on July 24, 2013 at 10:15 AM.

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The NFL Pre-Season begins in August, and while camps are on-going -- there are still several questions which will need resolving as we push towards the season. As with all NFL pre-seasons, there will be numerous questions answered about which teams are poised to make a run at the Big Bowl this year.

Inevitably, each storyline we are following also has huge impacts on this year's Madden NFL game as well. So without further adieu, here are five storylines you should be watching this pre-season:

How will New England replace Aaron Hernandez? - With Hernandez out of the picture, the New England Patriots suddenly find themselves without it's familiar two TE set that was so tough for NFL defenses to defend. The Patriots added Danny Amendola to replace Wes Welker, who left for Denver, but who replaces Hernandez's production? With Rob Gronkowski's continuing back issues, will New England even have a healthy proven TE on the opening day roster? The Patriots are still listing Tim Tebow as the 3rd string QB. Will Tebow play TE out of necessity for the Patriots in 2013-2014? Rookie TE Zach Sudfeld out of Nevada has impressed observers in OTAs and Michael Hoomanawanui and Daniel Fells return, but none of those guys strike fear into a defensive coordinator, especially as pass catchers. With the WR corps undergoing a near complete overhaul, TE was supposed to be a position of strength and consistency. It's going to be really interesting to watch the New England offense and it's progression throughout the NFL season.

Who is the QB in Philadelphia? - Mike Vick, Nick Foles, and Matt Barkley. While the competition is honestly probably between Vick and Foles, new Head Coach Chip Kelly has to make the right decision. He wants to implement an up-tempo style reminiscent of his offense at Oregon. In order to do that, he's going to need a QB who can make quick, correct decisions on the field. This is the most compelling QB competition in the NFL this offseason, and it will likely continue all throughout the preseason. Vick has the experience and the resume. Foles has youth and upside. Desean Jackson has publicly stated that he expects Vick to win the job, at least to begin the season, and that seems to be the general feeling from a lot of NFL talking heads. The wildcard here is Chip Kelly, who doesn't have an NFL track record. No one really knows which way Kelly is leaning. He comes from the Pac-12, and he's familiar with Foles. No matter what happens, it is one of the most interesting NFL storylines to follow leading up to the season.

Can RGIII still be RGIII? - Everyone who follows the NFL knows that Robert Griffin III suffered a devastating knee injury in last years playoffs against Seattle. Despite multiple knee ligament tears, many fans expect RGIII to be ready for opening day. After Adrian Peterson's incredible comeback last season, the bar has been raised for injury recovery. Griffin III is young, and has seemingly been rehabbing the right way every since the injury in January. Dr. James Andrews, the world renowned surgeon who rebuilt Adrian Peterson�s knee, has said that most players cannot recover the way that Peterson did, and Griffin III seemingly is now. He even calls them superhuman athletes. Mike Shanahan has said that he expects RGIII to 'set a record' for recovery with his comeback. As a fan of NFL football and of Robert Griffin III, I sincerely hope that he comes back at full strength and on his own timetable. It'd be a shame if he rushes back to meet fan and media expectations only to re-injure himself and potentially cut his career short. I think almost every NFL fan is hoping that RGIII comes back as strong as last season, as he is undeniably one of the most exciting players in the game.

Defensive change in Baltimore - Exit Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Enter Elvis Dumervil and 1st round draft pick Matt Elam. The defections, however, didn't end with the retirement of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed leaving in free-agency. Paul Kruger left to become a Cleveland Brown, Bernard Pollard was cut, Dannell Ellerbe left for the sunshine of Miami and the Dolphins, and Cary Williams left for the new look Eagles. The Ravens responded by signing Chris Canty and Marcus Spears on the defensive line, FS Michael Huff and LB Daryl Smith, and drafting inside linebacker Arthur Brown to go along with Dumervil and Elam. Interestingly, Ravens senior defensive assistant Steve Spagnuolo says that this new group reminds him of the 2007 New York Giants defense. While the on the field production could be replaced with the additions, what about the leadership void? Lewis and Reed had been running the Ravens defense together since 2005. Veterans like Terrell Suggs and Lardarius Webb will have to try to become those locker room leaders, along with offensive veterans Joe Flacco and Ray Rice. 2013-2014 will be a very interesting season for the reigning Super Bowl champions, as they attempt to transition from the Lewis/Reed era, and create a new identity.

New Year, New QB Questions - Can Carson Palmer be effective as the new starting QB in Arizona after years of mediocre play in Oakland? Can Phillip Rivers return to Pro Bowl form? Can Colin Kaepernick duplicate his 2012-2013 season, especially without Michael Crabtree? Can Russell Wilson and Andrew Luck avoid the sophomore slump? How will Jay Cutler and Josh Freeman play in their contract years? Can Tony Romo become the QB that he's been paid to become? Will Cam Newton bounce back from a disappointing second season? How long does Mark Sanchez have left in New York? And what about Geno Smith? Can EJ Manuel take over and lead the Buffalo Bills back to the playoffs? Can Matt Stafford play up to his new enormous contract? These are just a sampling of the many questions surrounding NFL quarterbacks this coming season. Almost every team in the NFL outside of New England, New Orleans, and Atlanta has some kind of question mark at QB. Whether they be a full blown competitions, new faces in new places, guys who have worn out their welcome, or the incredible 2012-2013 QB class trying to avoid the notorious sophomore slump, the NFL has QB storylines galore in 2013-2014.

OS, what do you think the biggest roster storylines are heading into the NFL preseason? Is it AP's quest to top Eric Dickerson again? Percy Harvin's move to Seattle? Or something else? Comment and let your voice be heard.

Comments

# 1 kongemeier @ Jul 24

One of the more interesting storylines will be the QB situation on the Jets, I think. Will Geno be given a fair shot - and even if Sanchez wins the starting job... will he be able to keep it for the entire season!?