OXNARD, Calif. — The Dallas Cowboys open their 2022 NFL coaching camp right here Tuesday on the River Ridge Residence Inn. Here is a more in-depth take a look at some tales:

What’s the most compelling battle place? Perhaps he is the other beginning receiver. Cee Dee Lamb, a minimum of firstly of the season. Or the battle to interchange Randy Gregory (Sam Williams, Dante Hunter, dorance amstrong). However for the Cowboys to be a real contender, it should all come right down to their offensive line. The Chosen Cowboys Tyler Smith within the first spherical with the concept it will be Tyron Smith‘s eventual successor at left sort out and his left guard in 2022. He and Connor McGovern will enter Oxnard in a contest for the job. McGovern is coming into a contract yr however was unable to maintain the job final season after changing connorwilliams, who left through free company for Miami. For years, the Cowboys’ line has been known as “among the many finest within the NFL,” deserved or not. Tyler Smith or McGovern may assist the unit by profitable the job and never profitable it by default as a result of one performed poorly.

Who’s the participant who has probably the most to show? Dak Prescott. Not as a result of he has a $40 million-a-year contract. Not as a result of he faces a win-or-not mandate that coach Mike McCarthy seems to face. Not as a result of he is not probably the greatest quarterbacks within the NFL. The Cowboys are banking on Prescott to raise the passing recreation, having traded the receiver. amari cooper and never including a big-money substitute or receiver within the first or second rounds. The final time Prescott entered coaching camp with a bunch of receivers with so many questions was in 2018, his third season, when the Cowboys took a committee method with Allen Hurns, Deonte Thompson, Cole Beasley and rookie miguel rooster. That did not pan out, however Prescott is a a lot totally different quarterback now than he was then. This time he has Lamb as his No. 1, however Gallup (knee) is anticipated to overlook a minimum of a few video games in September, and Prescott has had restricted work with signing free brokers. james washington Y Jalen Tolbert, a 3rd spherical, within the offseason. Prescott shall be requested to enhance the group.

Greater query: What can defensive coordinator Dan Quinn do for an encore?

He took over a protection final season that allowed a franchise-record 473 factors in 2020 and made a direct enchancment. He was helped by the addition of the Defensive Rookie of the Yr. micah parsonsthe rise of cornerback Trevon Diggs and a bunch that purchased his teachings. Moreover, he modified his modus operandi from enjoying principally particular person tall defenses to extra man protection. The outcomes have been exceptional. The Cowboys led the league in steals and gave up simply 358 factors. With questions in regards to the offense, the protection shall be requested to hold extra of a load than it has in years. It is going to be as much as Quinn to remain forward of opponents who had an offseason to get a learn on his new look.

What’s the fiercest battle associated to fantasy? isn’t that a lot Tony Pollard towards Ezekiel Elliott; it is Pollard versus the remainder of the offense. A lot has been product of Elliott’s drop in manufacturing and the way he ended final season, however few point out that he performed a lot of the season with {a partially} torn posterior cruciate ligament. Earlier than getting injured, it regarded like Elliott may contend for a speeding title. The Cowboys’ purpose needs to be to maximise Pollard’s touches, they usually can do this with out minimizing Elliott’s influence on offense. Pollard performed extra as a catcher in faculty than as a operating again. The Cowboys have doubts in regards to the receiver with Gallup’s damage and unproven depth. Pollard must present that he can run a number of routes, but when he can, that ought to enhance his touches and his fantasy worth.

camp prediction: Williams will declare the beginning defensive finish job towards DeMarcus Lawrence as Gregory’s substitute. The Cowboys’ second-round choose has all of the pass-rushing abilities Quinn likes to work with: pace across the rim, the power to double up, strong palms. Armstrong and Fowler are extra educated in regards to the NFL, and whereas being a “starter” could also be overrated since Quinn likes to rotate his defensive linemen, Williams’ expertise will get him on the sphere early. Search for him to return near matching Gregory’s six sacks of 2022.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Ideas and fast notes on the New England Patriots and the NFL:

1. Sturdy possibility: In an ideal Patriots world, veteran James White he’ll return to the shape that made him the most efficient pass-receiving tailback within the NFL earlier than he suffered a severe proper hip damage final September. From 2015 to 2020, no working again within the NFL had extra receptions (364), receiving yards (3,161) and receiving touchdowns (25).

However White has entered coaching camp in 2022 on the bodily unable to carry out checklist, which initially has the Patriots contemplating different choices.

Pierre Sturdy Jr.., the 2022 fourth-round decide from South Dakota State who posted the quickest 40-yard dashing time amongst working backs on the NFL Mix (4.37) this yr, is certainly one of them.

In an interview with ESPN.com, South Dakota State coach John Stiegelmeier described a participant who appears to suit the function completely.

As a cross catcher: “He is phenomenal. That is his largest energy. He is bought wonderful arms, very smooth. We might prefer to isolate him on a linebacker and say ‘Pierre benefit.'”

Blitz Pickup: “We by no means cared about him. I feel he confirmed that within the [Shrine] Bowling recreation, the place he blocked FBS All-Stars and stood there. We work it; it’s not one thing we take as a right. We’re going full throttle with a linebacker coming proper at you [and] you possibly can’t reduce it. So Pierre’s braveness and skill are proper the place they have to be.”

In 48 profession video games with the Jackrabbits, who play within the Soccer Championship Subdivision, Sturdy Jr. totaled 62 receptions for 581 yards and three touchdowns.

He might need had extra manufacturing if he hadn’t been so profitable as a pure working again, the place his pace and working type in a zone-based scheme helped him rack up 4,669 yards on 631 carries (7.2 avg) and 40 touchdowns.

“His capacity to get his legs up within the air is exclusive, so that you’re actually making an attempt to sort out a leg in case you catch him,” Stiegelmeier mentioned. “He wasn’t a person who would cease and attempt to cheat on a man [runner]. He would do it full throttle, out within the open, and taking down and taking down when he is going full throttle is basically powerful.”

When Stiegelmeier (getting into his twenty sixth yr) mirrored on 5 seasons as Sturdy’s coach, he mentioned the best way he began spoke volumes: a redshirt freshman in 2017, then on the depth chart to start out 2018.

“He stored working onerous, we had some accidents, after which the final half of the [2018] season he ended up being our most important runner,” he mentioned.

“His humility, his capacity to be a staff participant and do what’s requested of him and never need extra, however put together for extra, that isn’t a typical trait at present. The younger individuals, the student-athletes, love him and They assume they need to be.” Pierre was affected person, humble, and when he bought the prospect he exploded.”

The Patriots have historically been affected person with rookie passes. White barely performed in 2014 after New England drafted him within the fourth spherical, and Shane Vereen performed sparingly in 2011 after being drafted within the second spherical.

That gave them time to regulate to the calls for of selecting up blitzes, usually cited because the primary duty for gaining the belief of the teaching employees, and the NFL normally.

In 2022, the Patriots have Damian Harris Y rammond stevenson like their conventional most important working backs, with Stevenson saying that certainly one of his offseason objectives was to grow to be extra of an element within the passing recreation. thick legged beginner Kevin Harris (Spherical 6, South Carolina) provides depth behind them.

Then, within the extra conventional function of quarterback, there’s White, Sturdy, a third-year participant. j j taylorand eight-year veteran bar possibility Ty Montgomerywho was signed as a free agent in March.

“Various individuals who comply with the Patriots say that Pierre is an ideal match for his or her philosophy when it comes to utilizing working backs,” Stiegelmeier mentioned.

2. Coaching camp: Rookies, quarterbacks and rehab gamers have already reported for Patriots coaching camp, with the remainder of the roster arriving Tuesday. The staff will follow Wednesday by means of Saturday at 9:30 am after which Monday by means of Thursday on the identical time. At 7 pm on August 5, follow is scheduled inside Gillette Stadium for season ticket members and Foxborough residents.

3. Belichick and Seymour: With Aug. 6 being the Patriots’ coaching camp break day, it is the perfect time for coach Invoice Belichick. That is when Richard Seymour is inducted into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame (midday ET on ESPN), ranked third within the order of speeches, and Belichick is now free to journey to Canton, Ohio.

4. Parker’s Number one: Receiver Parker dressed No. 1 at Ballard Excessive College in Louisville, Kentucky, and that explains his motivation for going from 11 to 1 in his first season with the Patriots. It is a return to his roots. The quantity turned obtainable when N’Keal Harry he was traded to the Bears on July 12.

5. Sturdy calves: One factor that stunned Stiegelmeier when it got here to NFL groups in search of Sturdy: “The overwhelming majority of them had been asking about his legs, as a result of he had actually skinny calves. They thought he seemed extra like a working again.” naughty. For me, it is extra in regards to the coronary heart, not the legs, chest or arms… I used to be stunned by how a lot curiosity they put into a person’s look. I feel that is a part of the great analysis within the NFL “.

6. The Thornton Dolls: Between Sturdy’s calves and the second-round decide Tiquan ThorntonAlong with his wrists measuring 6 1/8 (the thinnest of any receiver), will probably be outstanding to see if these measurements play a consider every participant’s improvement. Thornton, a catcher at Baylor, appeared genuinely stunned that it was a difficulty, saying within the spring: “Skinny wrists? I imply, what are you utilizing your wrists for? That was information to me.”

7. MVP Mac? ESPN NFL analyst Mike Tannenbaum is bullish on Patriots quarterback mac jones, making him her decide for “Sneaky MVP” throughout an look on Get Up final week. Patriots followers ought to count on Tannenbaum to be as prophetic as he was. justin herbert getting into the 2019 draft as he had persistently hyped it up Tua Tagovailoa when that was not a majority opinion.

8. UDFA Streak: The Patriots have had an undrafted free agent on the opening day roster in every of the previous 18 seasons, the third-longest streak within the NFL behind the Chargers and Colts. Of the 5 UDFAs on the 2022 checklist, here is a have a look at the probably candidates to maintain the streak alive:

1. C kody russey

2. ST Brendan Schooler

3. DL LaBryan Ray

4. OLB damarcus mitchell

5. P jake julian

9. Hines vs. Stueber: Patriots rookie offensive linemen chasen hines (sixth spherical, LSU) and Andrew Stuber (Spherical 7, Michigan) have opened coaching camp on the lively/non-football-related injured checklist, however seem like in numerous restoration classes. Hines is coaching on the sphere, whereas Stueber is just not, which would appear to replicate that he’s additional away from a attainable return.

10. Do you know? The Patriots play two opponents in 2022 whose head coaches had been drafted by New England: Kliff Kingsbury (sixth spherical, 2002) at Arizona (Dec. 12) and Kevin O’Connell (third spherical, 2008) at Minnesota (Nov. 24). ). The final staff to face two gamers drafted as a head coach was Chicago in 2014 (Jim Harbaugh, Ron Rivera).

HENDERSON, Nev. – We have already gone over the Las Vegas Raiders’ offensive teams, which must be new coach Josh McDaniels’ main focus, given his acumen on that aspect of the ball. Nonetheless, the protection might be extra intriguing in 2022.

A 12 months after the Raiders had the No. 14 staff general protection beneath then-defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, McDaniels and new basic supervisor Dave Ziegler revamped the unit with the arrival of recent DC in Patrick Graham from the New York Giants, who had the, um, whole protection in twenty first place.

The Raiders have mainly run a 4-3 base protection since Warren Sapp wore silver and black, however Graham is extra aligned with a 3-4. Nonetheless, as he and McDaniels say, nickel defenses have change into the norm as a base protection. In fact, each staff’s aim is to enhance at each stage, so these rankings, in addition to those that emerged with the offense a number of weeks in the past, include an enormous caveat with a brand new teaching employees and so many new faces.

line of defense

additions: Chandler-Jones (Arizona Cardinals), Zach VanValkenburg (rookie free agent), Tyler Lancaster (Inexperienced Bay Packers), Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (rookie free agent), matthew butler (fifth-round decide), bilal nichols (Chicago Bears), Kyle Pekko (Tennessee Titans), Neil Farrell Jr.. (fourth spherical decide), vernon butler (buffalo payments), Tashawn Bower (Minnesota Vikings), Andrew Billings (Kansas Metropolis chiefs),

Losses: Yannick Ngakoue (Indianapolis Colts), Solomon Thomas (New York jet), Jefferson Quinton (Seattle Seahawks), Gerald McCoy (free agent), Carl Nassib (free agent), Dario Filon (free agent), damion sq. (free agent)

Returnees: maxx crosby, Clelin Ferrell, Johnathan Hankins, malcolm koonce, gerry inexperienced, Kendall Vickers

Higher, worse or the identical? Higher

For the second time in as a few years, the Raiders revamped their line of defense round rising star Crosby, who was paid a four-year, $94 million extension in March after which landed a brand new working mate, additionally for the second time. . 12 months in a row, on potential Corridor of Fame working again Jones. The Raiders basically traded Ngakoue, who’s 27, for Jones, who’s 32. Ferrell, a former No. 4 general decide within the draft, did not have his fifth-year possibility, so keep watch over him throughout camp as a commerce piece. or get prolonged seems inside Graham’s 3-4 scheme.

The Raiders’ 35 sacks a 12 months in the past had been the Twentieth-most within the league, with all however 1.5 of them coming from the road. However the inside has additionally been rebuilt, with Nichols a significant free agent and Las Vegas recruiting Matthew Butler and Farrell. Graham’s define and Jones’ résumé ought to enhance.

linebackers

additions: Micah Kiser (Denver Broncos), jayon brown (Titans), kenny younger (Broncos), kyler fackrell (Los Angeles Chargers), darien butler (rookie free agent), lucas masterson (rookie free agent)

Losses: Nick Kwiatkoski (Atlanta Falcons), Cory Littleton (Carolina Panthers), KJ Wright (free agent), Nicholas Morrow (Bears), marquel lee (Payments), kyle wilber (free agent)

Returnees: divine satan, denzel perryman

Higher, worse or the identical? Higher

It needs to be higher, proper? Do not reply that…but. Look, Las Vegas has solely two linebackers and considered one of them, Perryman, was a Professional Bowl participant. So the bottom line is to usher in waves of men to impart Graham’s imaginative and prescient, guys who’re already greater than accustomed to the scheme (Fackrell) in addition to the division (Kiser, Younger and Fackrell once more).

A 12 months in the past, Deablo was the one actual “addition.” Now, he’s considered one of two returning. Rebuild, quite a bit? The unit’s respective histories of play recommend extra of a 3-4 look. What else is new?

cornerbacks

additions: Rock Ya-Sin (Foals), antony averett (The Baltimore Ravens), dario phillips (Cincinnati Flares), Bryce Cosby (undrafted rookie), Chris Jones (Titans), Cre’Von LeBlanc (Houston Texans), sam webb (undrafted rookie)

Losses: Casey Hayward Jr.. (hawks), Keisean Nixon (packers), Desmond Trufant (free agent), Brandon Fayson (Colts)

Returnees: Trayvon Mullen Jr.., Nate Hobbs, amik robertson

Higher, worse or the identical? Worse

Too laborious? Stick with me right here, as a result of the Raiders basically let go of their finest cornerback in Hayward (24 profession INTS) and changed him with a mix of Ya-Sin and Averett (5 mixed profession picks). Benefit, Hayward… for now. Moreover, Mullen struggled to remain on the sector final season, showing in simply 5 video games after enjoying all 32 the earlier two seasons. It is a making an attempt season for him as effectively, as he recovers from an undisclosed offseason surgical process.

All the Raiders’ six league-low interceptions final season got here from the secondary, with six completely different gamers every receiving one, together with Hayward, Mullen and Hobbs, who was a revelation within the slot.

securities

additions: duron harmon (hawks), Isaiah Pola-Mao (undrafted rookie), Qwynnterrio Cole (undrafted rookie)

Losses: None

Returnees: Tre’von Moehrig, johnathan abram, dallin leavitt, Tyree Gillespie, Roderic Teamer

Higher, worse or the identical? Identical

Abram, as Ferrell and the 2019 first-round working again joseph jacobs, didn’t have his fifth 12 months possibility picked up. That was not sudden, though an enchancment in his move protection abilities could be a plus. Abram had one of many Raiders’ interceptions final 12 months however, for the second time in three years, he missed a season due to damage. Moehrig additionally had a selection and the duo had been taking a break up safety have a look at OTAs and minicamps. Fascinating.

Harmon ought to drive performs, as ought to Gillespie and Teamer. In spite of everything, it is basically the identical unit, proper? It is a younger group, one which, like cornerbacks, would profit tremendously from higher move rush. No less than, that is the plan.