The St. Louis Rams offense is likely to be more high octane after adding plenty of weapons via free agency and the draft by QB Sam Bradford. However, it was holdover WR Chris Givens which Bradford was working with on the long ball during organized team activities (OTAs).
Rams | Offense to be more high octane
Dallas Cowboys WR Dez Bryant (back, finger) continues to get treatment for a back injury he suffered at the end of last season, but he said that injury and his finger surgery won’t be issues this season. Bryant has been participating in organized team activities (OTAs). He continues to try to build his endurance. ‘I hear coach talk about it all the time, and that’s one of my main goals,’ Bryant said. ‘Staying on the Stairmaster, trying to increase my endurance as much as I can, just not thinking about tapping out, just being able to go every play 100 miles per hour.’
Cowboys | Dez Bryant participating
Arizona Cardinals FS Tyrann Mathieu took nearly $400,000 less in guaranteed money with his deal. He will have to earn the rest of his money by being on the roster and not being suspended.
Cardinals | Tyrann Mathieu accepted less
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Josh Freeman is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and multiple public statements made by head coach Greg Schiano have raised questions whether he sees Freeman as the team’s long-term starter. The club drafted QB Mike Glennon in the third-round of the 2013 NFL Draft, so there will be competition during training camp and the preseason.
Buccaneers | Josh Freeman in final year of deal
Gil Brandt wrote a column this week explaining his belief that the retooled Dallas Cowboys are primed to win the NFC East this season. It all sounded too familiar to Michael Strahan.
Michael Strahan not buying Dallas Cowboys hype
Gil Brandt wrote a column this week explaining his belief that the retooled Dallas Cowboys are primed to win the NFC East this season. It all sounded too familiar to Michael Strahan.
Michael Strahan not buying into Dallas Cowboys hype
According to the Kansas City Star’s Adam Teicher, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid compared rookie Travis Kelce to former Saints/Panthers TE Jeremy Shockey in terms of styles of play and potential impact. Kelce didn’t shy away from the comparison. “I would like to think I’m a different breed of player, someone that can get after a guy in the run game, but at the same time catch a ball and go 80 to the house,” Kelce said. “I think the Chiefs are going to get someone who is very versatile and if I had to possibly choose one guy (to compare himself to), I would choose Jeremy Shockey just the way he plays with passion and energy. I think that would be an awesome comparison.”
Our View: Kelce could win the starting job for the Chiefs this year. He’s a talented all-around player who can make an impact as a blocker and as a receiver. Kelce is getting more opportunity to showcase his skill set while incumbent starter Tony Moeaki is missing time with a knee injury.
Chiefs | Rookie TE Kelce like Shockey?
The Eagles have been working with rookie TE Zach Ertz on his blocking ability. Tight End coach Ted Williams said this about the rookie. “[Receiving] is his strength. But he is big enough, he’s strong enough, he’s willing and we’ve got to be able to get him to be an in-line tight end.We have to produce that skill in him because you can’t just be a receiver in this offense and you just can’t be a blocker in this offense, you’ve got to be able to do both.”
Our View: Ertz is a talented move TE with good route quickness and separation ability. He could add a little more muscle to help him hold up at the point of attack when blocking in line. He doesn’t need to be dominating as a blocker, just competent. His ability to improve his blocking ability could determine how much playing time he gets in 2013. Ertz is competing for playing time alongside veterans Brent Celek and James Casey.
Eagles | Working with Ertz on blocking
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Rams QB Sam Bradford and free agent addition TE Jared Cook have been clicking in practice during the team’s recent OTAs.
Our View: Good news for the Rams here. They have invested a lot in weapons around Bradford this offseason. Cook finished as the 19th best TE in fantasy football last year but only played 13 games. If healthy for a full season we could see Cook break into the top 15 in 2013.
Rams | Bradford and Cook are clicking
According to the team’s official website, the St. Louis Rams intend to be more ‘high octane’ on offense in 2013. They’ve displayed that in recent OTAs and added the proper talent in the NFL draft to be more explosive on offense.
Our View: This is a make or break year for QB Sam Bradford. The team has been active this offseason adding several key positions to the offense. In free agency they added top LT Jake Long to protect Bradford’s blind side. They also added TE Jared Cook in free agency. In the NFL draft they added explosive WRs (and West Virginia teammates) Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey. Second-year WR Chris Givens has been standing out during OTAs as well. Fantasy owners are going to want a piece of this offense.
Rams | Intend to be more ‘high octane’ in 2013