Six Rookies You Need To Know About Before The 2014 Season

Around this time, every year, the NFL gets its first glimpses of the stars of tomorrow. In recent years, players like Victor Cruz, Andrew Luck, Julio Jones and Russell Wilson have emerged as some of the best in the league, and that journey begins in the preseason.

Impressive showings and good production are generally expected of top level draft picks, but in training camps around the league there will be some pleasant surprises as unheralded rookies forge unexpectedly prominent roles for their respective teams. They can also rack up monster fantasy football points for those in the know, but we'll save that for another time.

In this article, I'll be looking at the players who have been turning heads in training camp.

Terrance West, Running Back, Cleveland Browns

The Browns upgraded their offensive backfield this season with the addition of former Houston Texan Ben Tate, but the unit got a whole lot more explosive with the emergence of Terrance West. Drafted by the Browns out of FCS college Towson in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft, West has quickly made his presence felt at training camp, showcasing his explosive speed and pass-catching talents and earning chants from the fans in attendance. A competition could be brewing in Cleveland, but the likely outcome suggests Tate will handle the bulk of the workload, with West complementing him in the passing game.


David Fales, Quarterback, Chicago Bears

The San Jose State Spartans prospect was criminally overlooked - I still believe he's one of the strongest candidates from the class - heading into the 2014 draft, so it's nice to see him with a shot at seeing the field in his début NFL season. He may not possess prototypical arm strength or height (although I think we can say that Russell Wilson and Drew Brees have made a convincing case for 'short' NFL quarterbacks), but Fales can certainly make all the throws, is aggressive, accurate and anticipates his receivers. Marc Trestman's scheme is a great fit and - in spite of stiff competition from the less-talented Jordan Palmer and Jimmy Clausen - Fales could see the field should Jay Cutler pick up an injury, as he often does.

Devon Kennard, Linebacker, New York Giants

I wrote only last week about the initial success rookie linebacker Devon Kennard had experienced in the early stages of the New York Giants' training camp. His stock has only risen with the advent of training sessions in full pads, being moved from the middle linebacker spot (Jameel McClain's injury turned out to be a minor one) to the starting strong side linebacker spot. Camp rosters mean little, but it's a sign of faith in a rookie who has clearly impressed the coaching staff. Look for him to take a prominent role in the Giants' preseason games.

Carlos Hyde, Running Back, San Francisco 49ers

Thanks to a decimated running back corps, Carlos Hyde is staring at a golden opportunity to get his NFL career off to a fast start. The Ohio State alum has cruelly benefited from LaMichael James' dislocated elbow, Kendall Hunter's torn ACL, and Marcus Lattimore's slow progress healing from a horrific injury sustained in 2012. As a result, Hyde - who averaged an incredible 7.3 yards per carry in college - is the incumbent number two behind the ageing Frank Gore and should see work as a change-of-pace back or injury replacement should Gore go down injured himself.

Donte Moncrief, Wide Receiver, Indianapolis Colts

Like Hyde and Kennard, Donte Moncrief has the fortune of being a naturally talented wideout in an unpredictable situation. The third round pick soon made an impression in minicamps, drawing the praise of offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton and quarterback Andrew Luck after making a number of impressive catches and displaying good speed, awareness and his considerable size. Reggie Wayne partners with the newly-acquired (but injury-prone) Hakeem Nicks, with T.Y Hilton operating as the third receiver and Moncrief figuring to establish himself in the rotation as the fourth receiver.

Jon Halapio, Guard, New England Patriots

Faced with an ageing and depleted offensive line, the Patriots used a number of late-round draft picks on offensive linemen. Leading the charge is former Florida Gator Jon Halapio, who, even in the earliest offseason workouts, was taking a lion's share of reps with the starting offense. Tom Brady's completion percentage fell to 45.8% when pressured last season, so this injection of youth is vitally important at this stage of Brady's career. Halapio - despite being flagged before the draft for having less-than-ideal quickness and limitations as a pass blocker - has clearly earned the trust of his coaches for now, has clearly won over his coaches for now.

The Worst Contracts In The NFL Right Now

One of the hot topics on people's lips as we head towards the regular season is the debate around Andy Dalton. The Bengals' signal-caller clearly possesses the talent worthy of his status as a franchise quarterback, but his struggles in the post-season (shared by the rest of the team) have led elements of the Bengals fanbase to turn against the face of their franchise.

Dalton is in a contract year, and should the Bengals go all the way, or at the very least progress further than the wildcard round, he could command a big-money contract due to the salaries of his contemporaries. It's a precarious position for franchises - they feel compelled to pay their quarterback big money despite overlooking their performance in previous years and in fear of losing them to a rival. Why would any franchise cut a super bowl-winning quarterback, right?

In short, we're looking at another Joe Flacco. Often, teams become enamoured with a player who simply isn't worth the money, or are forced into tight corners by rapidly escalating league salaries. On that note, let's take a look at the worst contracts in the NFL at the moment.

Joe Flacco

Flacco is a perfectly competent quarterback. He epitomises the expression 'solid-but-unspectacular', and is worthy of the Ravens' continued trust in him. He isn't, however, worth the gargantuan $120.6 million six-year contract he signed following Baltimore's super bowl win in 2013. His play, unsurprisingly, never returned to the level it was in the 2012 playoffs, and now his contract weighs like an albatross around the Ravens' neck. They're locked into the deal until the 2016 season, during which Flacco will have a staggering cap hit of $28.6 million, and in 2017 they can either pay him £31.2 million or losing $15.3 million in dead money. For all his successes over the past few years, general manager Ozzie Newsome dropped the ball on this one.

Michael Oher

The real-life protagonist of the inspirational book and movie The Blind Side, Oher has failed to develop into the elite left tackle he was touted as coming out of college. Oher was limited to right tackle for the majority of his time in Baltimore and left for greener pastures at the end of last season. The Tennessee Titans answered the call, and Oher signed a four-year $20 million deal with $6 million guaranteed. The Titans can get out of the contract after a year, but the drafting of Michigan's Taylor Lewan could see Oher relegated to the bench.

Dwayne Bowe

Dwayne Bowe appears to be coasting on the reputation he forged during the 2010 season. After posting 1,162 yards and 15 touchdowns that season, Bowe has managed to produce a paltry 13 in three seasons since. The five-year $56 million contract - with $20 million guaranteed - he signed in March 2013 made him the third highest-paid receiver in the league, and allowed the Chiefs to franchise tag Branden Albert (who left after the season anyway). A lot of money for a player who has failed to maintain

Jason Hatcher

Question: how does a peripheral defensive lineman like Jason Hatcher end up with a four-year contract worth $27.5 million with a $9 million signing bonus and $10.5 million guaranteed? Answer: the Washington Redskins. Who else could it be? Hatcher was a lone bright spot on an otherwise poor Dallas Cowboys defence last year with 11 sacks (he had accumulated only 16 in his previous seven seasons), and it's no coincidence that the boom in production coincided with the Cowboys' shift to a 4-3 defence. The 32 year-old Hatcher will likely struggle to recapture this form in a 3-4 defense, especially after being sidelined with a knee injury.

Karlos Dansby

Dansby doesn't appear on this list because of his production; it's hard to argue to with 114 tackles and 6.5 sacks accumulated as part of a ferocious and underrated Cardinals defensive unit last season. He appears on here because he's about to turn 33 and the Cleveland Browns offered him a four-year $24 million contract, with $14 million guaranteed. The formula for winning championship usually involves getting younger, and the Browns failed spectacularly in this regard. It's entirely possible Dansby will be solid for the Browns in 2014, but that doesn't change the fact that they paid superstar money for someone who could realistically be out of the league before his contract expires.

Throwback Thursday: A History of NFL Training Camps

With the NFL offseason now in full swing, this edition of 'Throwback Thursday' takes a photographic look at training camps throughout history - from humble beginnings to its current status as, in true NFL style, an 'event' worthy of thousands of hours of media coverage.

Dallas Cowboys training camp, 1960's

Denver Broncos training camp, 1960

Cleveland Browns defensive linesmen (L-R); Bill Glass, Bob Gain, Dick Modzelewski, Paul Wiggin: 1964

Miami Dolphins training camp, 1970

Joe Namath and Richard Todd, New York Jets Training Camp, 1976 

Terry Bradshaw, Pittsburgh Steelers training camp, 1981

Jim McMahon and Walter Payton, Chicago Bears training camp 1986

Joe Montana and Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers training camp, 1990

Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers training camp, 1992

Reggie White, Green Bay Packers training camp, 1993

Michael Strahan, New York Giants training camp, 1999

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts training camp, 2000

Brock Lesnar, Minnesota Vikings training camp, 2004

Cincinnati Bengals training camp, 2013

Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins training camp 2013

Johnny Manziel, Cleveland Browns training camp, 2014

Four Young Giants Poised to Rise Up In 2014

Giants football returns - finally! - after one of the most disappointing years in recent memory. It was a Giant dud of a season, filled with interceptions from Eli Manning, a decimated offensive line, a patchwork running backs unit, injuries to key players, a disappearing act by the talented Hakeem Nicks and an ineffective pass rush that produced only 34 sacks.

An unforgivable season for a proud organisation not accustomed to losing. The offseason saw a drastic overhaul on both sides of the ball, and many long-term coaches and players were released. Ben McAdoo replaces the much-derided Kevin Gilbride as offensive coordinator and has brought with him a revamped offensive staff, and Jerry Reese indulged in a shopping spree that brought in big-name free agents including Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Geoff Schwartz and Rashad Jennings.

The G-Men looked to get younger on both sides of the football, and this season a group of relatively unknown or unheralded rookie, sophomore and third year players will be thrust into the spotlight as they look to take the reigns at a host of key positions for the Giants.

David Wilson

If you were to turn the clocks back exactly one year, David Wilson would likely have been featured on many articles just like this one. Wilson may have failed to live up to his billing as a first round draft pick, but the physically gifted running back has been cleared to play by doctors, and is now operating in a scheme that that suits his talents far better than the last. Despite the arrival of Rashad Jennings and rookie Andre Williams, Ben McAdoo's west coast offense will likely utilise Wilson in the passing game, where he should feature heavily. With the potential to break off huge runs from swing and screen passes, he is certainly athletic enough to become a nightmare for defences.

Jonathan Hankins

While the departure of Linval Joseph to Minnesota was painful, the presence of Hankins means the Giants won't miss him too badly. The second-year defensive tackle from Ohio State boasts prototypical 1-technique size and in his rookie season, with limited opportunities, demonstrated he has what it takes to be a more-than-effective run-stopper. With vastly increased playing time, fans can expect Hankins to establish himself as one of the league's best run-stopping defensive tackles.

Devon Kennard

Damontre Moore could have been an option here, but the arrival of Robert Ayers makes the defensive end position a bit of a grey area, so I've opted for a more 'left-field' choice.
Only yesterday I wrote about the replacements for Jon Beason, identifying the now-injured (albeit not severely) Jameel McClain as the leading candidate for the temporary vacancy. Thankfully they may have discovered a gem in fifth round draft pick Devon Kennard. Kennard has a chance to stamp his name on the middle linebacker spot if Beason and McClain miss extended time this season, and if that situation doesn't unfold he could realistically start at either of the outside 'backer positions. Big (6'3", 251 lbs), hard-hitting and - most importantly - intelligent, the USC product has everything it takes to breakout this season.

Adrien Robinson

In the eyes of most fans and analysts, the Giants have no starting tight end. Following the loss of Martellus Bennett prior to last season and the disappointing Brandon Myers in February, there has been no clear starter at the position. In Kellen Davis, Larry Donnell, Daniel Fells, Xavier Grimble and Adrien Robinson, the Giants have five players with legitimate shots at earning the starting job, but only one has true breakout potential. Adrien Robinson was a raw prospect out of Cincinnati in 2012 (he only caught 29 passes in his entire college career) and remains an unknown quantity in his third season, but possesses all of the physical tools necessary to become an elite NFL tight end. He is easily compared to Denver's Julius Thomas which, given the enormity of the  Bronco's performance last year, is certainly a welcome one.

The Next Man Up

John Feinstein's 2005 book 'Next Man Up: a Year Behind the Lines in Today's NFL' is a gripping, no-holds-barred account of the highs and lows of the Baltimore Ravens' 2004 season. It's an essential read for anyone remotely interested in American football or, indeed, sport at any level.

While the book may have covered the season of just one team, the title applies to all 32 NFL teams and is a phrase that always rears it's ugly head around July and August: training camp. Between organised Team Activities (OTA's) through to the end of the four-game preseason, NFL players are at risk of every kind of season- limiting injury - from torn ACLs and sprained MCLs to herniated discs and dislocated elbows.

Scheduling changes - including the 2014 NFL draft being pushed back until early May - have seen the offseason shortened in an attempt to eliminate overzealous workouts and mini training camps, and yet teams have already seen vitally important players in key positions fall victim to injuries. This article aims to shed some light on the impact of their loss on their respective teams.

Chris Hairston

You are forgiven for being unfamiliar with Chris Hairston. The fourth-year pro replaces not one but two Buffalo Bills offensive linemen after illness sidelined starter Cordy Glenn, and injury struck Seantrel Henderson - his replacement.
Glenn may not be out for the season, but seeing as coach Doug Marrone is reportedly "not allowed to speak" about his illness, we can assume he'll be out of action for a while.
The significance of this comes in the strength of Buffalo's run game. Glenn was a stud in 2013 (he scored a +23.0 on Pro Football Focus last season) and was the stand-out player on a disappointing line (ranked 22nd and given a -12.5 overall rating by PFF). The Bills have stocked up on offense, but a misfiring run game could pile pressure on EJ Manuel and make shutting down an explosive passing game that much easier for defenses.

Giants' Linebackers

Jon Beason experienced a renaissance of sorts in 2013. He was back to his best against the run, made plays all over the field and emerged into a linchpin defensive leader that the Giants have so desperately needed since Antonio Pierce retired in 2008. His injury problems appeared to be behind him - until he suffered a sesamoid bone fracture in his foot during minicamps.
The good news is that this isn't a recurring injury, he doesn't require surgery, and he is tentatively expected back before the season. However, the unconvincing Mark Herzlich and free agent pick up Jameel McClain will be picking up the slack in his absence. His potency against the run will be missed, but it is his on-field leadership that the Giants will suffer without the most.

Falcons Linebackers

Now we enter the realm of season-ending injuries. Sean Weatherspoon missed most of last season, and it is no surprise the Falcons were porous on defence as a result. Entering a contract year, Weatherspoon would have been expected to post a statistically strong season but instead he finds himself sitting on injured reserve with a ruptured achilles tendon. Fortunately for the Falcons, they have a group of intriguing prospects with a lot of potential. Paul Worrilow (99 tackles in 2013), Joplo Bartu (3.5 sacks in 2013), rookie Prince Shembo and the injury-prone Pat Angerer attempt to replace the Falcons' defensive standout. Rough times ahead for an already struggling unit.

Nigel Bradham

As you can see, it's not been a good offseason for the Buffalo Bills. With starting left tackle Cordy Glenn already missing time through injury, the loss of Kiko Alonso for the year comes as another huge blow. Alonso overcame concerns about his size to become the team's leading tackler (third in the league with 159), and the PFWA defensive rookie of the year. That kind of production can't easily be replicated, and it spells bad news for a unit poor against the run in 2013. Thankfully the Bills brought in linebacker depth in the form of Keith Rivers and Brandon Spikes, but neither man is suited for the free-roaming role Alonso played. High starting reps in training camp suggests that the job is the athletic, playmaking Nigel Bradham's to lose, but he faces competition from Preston Brown and Stephenson Sylvester.

Cowboys Linebackers

Linebackers might want to start taking it easy in these offseason practices, however alien the concept of 'taking it easy' may seem to them. The Cowboys' most irreplaceable defensive player had the misfortune of suffering a season-ending ACL injury in first OTA of the year.
Another defence that struggled last season, the impact of Lee's loss will be seen in both on field performance and leadership. The unproven but physically and instinctively gifted Devonte Holloman is the top candidate, but is nursing an injury of his own. Justin Durant, Anthony Hitchens, Dontavis Sapp and Orie Lemon have been filling in during camp, and - in true Cowboys style - the team traded for the troubled and retirement-prone Rolando McClain, and even considered making a play for Brian Urlacher. 

Given that most teams are only just kicking off their training camps, and with four preseason games on top of that, don't be surprised if this list is far longer come the season's opening weekend.