On July 25, Saint James' Day, we will have the true starting signal of the long-awaited 2015 NFL season.
The small towns of Latrobe (Pennsylvania) and Mankato (Minnesota) will be the center of the United States this week, when the Steelers and Vikings, respectively, officially begin their training camps at Saint Vincent College and Minnesota State University.
It is said that the early bird catches the worm, and curiously enough, these two teams will have all their players working four days before any other NFL club. Saints and Ravens, for example, will start with their rookies tomorrow, but the veterans will not show up until the 29th. Some take things slower, for example the Colts, who will not open training camp until the first day of August. Ultimately, everything adjusts to the necessary preparation required by the coaches and the traditions of the teams. Pittsburgh, which dedicates its first day of camp entirely to its fans, has always been among the first to start training since it began using the facilities at Saint Vincent College for the first time, exactly 50 years ago!
As you well know, I despise all the previous training sessions that teams go through, where, in my opinion, there are more risks of injury than positive things. However, training camp is different. For starters, it sends an excellent message of humility to all players from many teams. Going back to the Steelers, the players stay in the small dormitories of Saint Vincent – no five-star hotels – turning a huge radio into their most prized possession.
It is true that many coaches already have their starters and key players defined, but during training camp, a real battle for the available spots on the rosters begins. I remember many players from the Dragons who would start the month of August in an NFL team, with very few chances of staying, performing incredibly well during training camp, enjoying a spectacular pre-season, and ending up earning a spot among the 53 chosen. The most memorable case was that of a lightning-fast wide receiver, named Kenny Shedd, with the Raiders in 1996. After surprisingly leading the entire NFL in receiving yards during the pre-season, Shedd secured a spot to the detriment of the famous Rocket Ismail, a player who had been a candidate to become the first overall pick in the 1991 draft, after leaving the mighty University of Notre Dame.
Anyway, it's time to buckle up. Veterans, no room for complacency! Rookies and players from small universities who have not yet been able to prove themselves in the best league in the world, this is your chance! Fans and followers, we are all fortunate because the true NFL starts this week and will not leave us until the first Sunday of February 2016.
Five things I think:
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I think very few of us would have thought that, at the start of training camp, the quarterback who will attract a lot of attention will be Sam Bradford. The Eagles' project is exciting and everyone is waiting to see if Bradford will be able to bring it to fruition.
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I think, however, where the most doubts will arise during this pre-season will be in San Francisco: Is Jim Tomsula ready to lead the 49ers?
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I think one of the great attractions of training camp, which has been given little fanfare, is the fact that teams come together and practice together. Texans and Redskins will be the first, on August 6th. I think teams that do not have this type of activity scheduled are making a mistake.
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I think the return of the prodigal son to Lambeau Field for the retirement of his number 4 was as eagerly anticipated as it was deserved. And, as always, the legendary club has lived up to the circumstances. I think it is very good that, in the end, the Brett Favre-Green Bay Packers relationship has had a happy ending.
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I think the greatness of Peyton Manning is on par with the excellent level he has always shown as a player. Undoubtedly, many athletes should learn from him. Manning visited the Chattanooga police, to accompany the officers after the unfortunate incidents of last week. Once again, the quarterback was mindful of making a gesture, something that people undoubtedly appreciate.