Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith said Sunday, July 29, that OG Garrett Reynolds is the team’s starting right guard. ‘Right now as we speak he’s our No. 1 right guard, but I think you’ll see the competition and other guys will get an opportunity as we go through camp.’ Reynolds is trying to hold off OL Andrew Jackson and Peter Konz, considered the primary competition.
Falcons | Garrett Reynolds atop depth chart at RG
Indianapolis Colts WR Austin Collie has been mostly relegated to slot receiver duties in the past with the team. Now, he has a chance to do more. ‘Before I was more like the security blanket,’ Collie said Sunday, July 29. ‘Now I am going to focus more on being able to make the big play down the field. I feel like that means I have a lot more responsibility.’ Head coach Chuck Pagano said he is pleased with how quickly QB Andrew Luck and Collie have jelled. He has a good chance to start opposite WR Reggie Wayne, but he obviously needs to stay healthy.
Colts | Austin Collie in mix for starting job
Green Bay Packers RB James Starks is the elder statesman of the Green Bay running backs this season at just 26. He has just 162 carries during the regular season over the past two years due to shoulder, knee and ankle injuries. With the Packers relying a lot on the passing game, Starks said it is very important for the backs to be able to block. ‘If you can’t do that, you’re not going to play,’ he said. ‘I’m going to do whatever the coaches ask of me to do, so (blocking) is fine with me. If I have to do it, I’m going to do it, and I think it suits me.’
Packers | James Starks feels pass blocking is a strong point
Green Bay Packers RB Alex Green (knee) accomplished his goal of being medically healthy to start training camp. Green suffered a torn ACL last year in his left knee during a Week 7 game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Packers | Alex Green back on the field
The Green Bay Packers have just one 100-yard individual rushing performance in the past 32 regular season games. They are 25-7 during that time. The Packers are very young at running back this season, with RBs James Starks, Alex Green, Brandon Saine and undrafted rookies Marc Tyler and Duane Bennett on roster.
Packers | Fast fact: Lack of 100-yard individual rushing performances
Miami Dolphins RB Daniel Thomas, a second-year pro, is leading the competition for the No. 2 role behind starting tailback Reggie Bush. Thomas has had some bright moments to start training camp.
Dolphins | Daniel Thomas in lead for No. 2 running back
Miami Dolphins WR Chad Johnson has impressed head coach Joe Philbin at the start of training camp. ‘He’s very serious. He’s very passionate about what he does. We like his work ethic, the energy, the enthusiasm that he brings,’ Philbin noted.
Dolphins | Chad Johnson impressing head coach
Miami Dolphins RB Steve Slaton currently has the lead on rookie RB Lamar Miller for the No. 3 running back role.
Dolphins | Steve Slaton running as third tailback
Miami Dolphins rookie RB Lamar Miller, currently running as the team’s No. 4 running back, has shown some flashes during training camp. He has looked good in the open field throughout the offseason and continued during training camp practice Saturday, July 28, ripping off two long runs.
Dolphins | Lamar Miller has shown some flashes
Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin said he is not committed to any specific number of times a running back needs to touch the football this season. When asked if he prefers a feature back or a committee approach, Philbin said: ‘I’m not locked into one guy carrying the ball 23 times and the next guy carrying it seven. You want a guy to touch the football X-amount of times because those guys have a higher chance of getting yourself a big play, but I’m not locked into any one formula.’ RBs Reggie Bush, Daniel Thomas, Steve Slaton and rookie Lamar Miller are all jockeying for playing time during training camp.
Dolphins | Coach not committed to one formula with running attack