Five Storylines to Follow

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Pacman Jones is going to need to stay out of trouble in 2008.
[PHOTO BY ICON SMI]

 

BY MICHAEL GANCI
UPDATE! Writer

NFL training camps open this week and the preseason isn’t far behind. It’s time to see how all the off-season moves translate on the field. There are new regimes and old reliables — all out to prove they belong. Update! looks at five questions hanging over training camp: 

 

Did the Oakland Raiders spend wisely?

 

Al Davis threw serious money into the free agent market and then passed up glaring needs by drafting Darren McFadden. Were they moves of genius or impulse? The biggest move that the Raiders made in free agency was the signing of former Packers’ wide receiver Javon Walker, who is coming off of surgery on his right knee. Walker signed a six-year $55 million contract. That sounds like a lot to gamble on a guy who just had a major surgery on his knee. The Raiders also added tackle Kwame Harris, who was a first round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2003. Harris hasn’t put it together yet, but the skill set is definitely there. The biggest pick the Raiders made in the draft was drafting Darren McFadden. He was clearly the player with the most talent left, but it didn’t address the biggest need. The Raiders need help on the lines, and they are pretty deep when it comes to running back. McFadden is going to need someone in front of him to create some space if he is going to be successful. I do not see the Raiders as a contender next season.

 

What can we expect from Chad Johnson?

 

The disgruntled Cincinnati Bengals wideout is coming off an uneven season. He added fuel to the fire by asking to be traded. The Bengals have to be smart and stand strong. Johnson will not hold out into the season, unless he doesn’t want to collect the money that is due to him. Last year, Johnson was Carson Palmer’s favorite target, bringing in 93 passes for over 1,400 yards. Johnson established career highs in first downs and total yards in what was a stellar campaign. He just had arthroscopic ankle surgery on June 18, and he is going to take his time in rehab. Johnson will still be a solid fantasy option this season, but his value has dropped to a low number one or even a high number two wide receiver. He should go in the third round of most drafts.

 

Does Jason Taylor make the Redskins a contender?

 

The Miami Dolphins traded AFC sack master DE Jason Taylor on the eve of training camp to Washington for future second and sixth-round draft picks. For someone with his Hall of Fame talent, the deal was a steal for the Redskins. The argument can be made that Taylor had a bad year for him, but that is still a good year on normal standards. He recorded 56 total tackles in 2007, and that was his lowest total since 1999. Hopefully for the ‘Skins, Taylor will hold up his end of the bargain and honor the remaining two years on his contract. Taylor definitely gives the Redskins’ defense another punch, but I don’t think he puts them over the top. There are several teams in the NFC who are more equipped, such as the Cowboys, Giants and Saints. They have a shot to get in as a wild card this season, but I wouldn’t expect them to have a legitimate chance to compete for the super bowl.

Is Aaron Rogers the man?

 

Green Bay spurning Brett Favre will look awfully stupid if heir apparent Rogers doesn’t light the world on fire from the start. That leaves little room for failure and suddenly puts a lot more pressure on the young quarterback. And oh yeah, the Packers have super expectations after playing in the NFC title game a year ago. It’s a lose lose situation for the young Rogers, who will need to be perfect to get the satisfaction of the Green Bay fans. If Favre comes back and serves as Rogers’ backup, Rogers will be under the microscope. Everyone keeps looking at the situation for its effect on Favre, but if Favre is allowed to start, this may be the deciding factor to make the Packers’ quarterback of the future want to leave town.

 

Will Pacman Jones fly straight?

 

A one-year ban and new team mean that talented but troubled CB Pacman Jones has much to prove this preseason. The Dallas Cowboys acquired Jones from Tennessee. And it might just be the missing piece that puts an already-great Dallas D over the top. Of course, the key with Jones is his behavior. Everyone knows that he is talented. But, if he can’t stay in line, it won’t be worth it for the Cowboys to have him as a distraction. We have already seen flashes of his ability in mini camps, but that’s not where it really counts. If Jones is behaved and playing to the top of his game, this trade will be the steal of the off-season.