NFL Training Camp Preview Pt. 1

I know, I know. Both the NBA and NHL playoffs are in full swing while Major League Baseball is in its second month, yet I want to talk football. Cut me a little slack here, because football is more than just a sport, it’s a way of life, and with camps already come and gone, with more on the way, I think I’m entitled to a little early pigskin talk.

With this in mind, let me welcome you to part one of a four part look into the upcoming preseason of America’s sport. Today’s topic will be quarterbacks, more specifically; five you need to keep an eye on this preseason.

Tom Brady: This season is going to be huge for both the New England Patriots and Tom Brady; Brady is coming off of that acl/mcl injury that kept him out of the entire 2008 season and though he is on the right track, health-wise, you never know how injuries like this effect a player. The organization, however, believes that he will return to top form. This belief led them to get rid of 11 game-winner Matt Cassel to the Kansas City Chiefs. Will that trade come back to haunt them? Is Tom Brady all the way back from his injuries? Those are questions facing New England this preseason.

Jay Cutler: Speaking of gambling, the Denver Broncos took a huge one in trading away talented young starter Jay Cutler. This trade became a necessity after an attempted trade that would have sent Cutler away for Matt Cassel fell through and word leak to Cutler, sending him into a downward spiral with the organization. Though there were attempts to reconcile the differences between Jay and the Broncos, it was not meant to be and Denver ended up trading him to the Chicago Bears. How will Cutler adjust to life in Chicago? Will he demand an apology from receivers for dropped passes? Those are the questions that face Jay Cutler this preseason.

Kyle Orton: The flip side of the Jay Cutler trade was that Chicago’s starter, Kyle Orton, was sent to Denver along with 2 first round selections and a third rounder. All he did for Chicago was have a 21-12 career w/l record, but apparently winning wasn’t enough for the Bears. Now Orton has a shot at showing that he’s a legit starter with a fresh start in Denver. Will he win out the starting job? Can he be successful in Denver? Those are the questions that face Kyle Orton this preseason.

Ben Roethlisberger: “Big” Ben is coming off a season that, though statistically down, was perhaps his greatest as he faced adversity after adversity. He endured them like he did the countless sacks the patchwork line allowed and gave us one of the most memorable superbowl drives in history. So what questions do you have about a two-time SuperBowl winner? Plenty. But the main one facing Ben is whether there will be a post-Championship letdown like the last time he hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. Now, granted, I doubt he’ll be hopping on a motorcycle anytime soon but will the hunger, the drive, still be there for him? That’s the question facing Ben this preseason.

Matt Stafford: Matt Stafford is the number one draft pick taken by the Detroit Lions and they are expecting big things out of the University of Georgia standout. And while the expectations are high, they have to be held in check somewhat when you’re talking about a team that went 0-16 last season. Dante Culpepper is expected to get the nod early but look for Stafford to hit the starting line-up by midseason…at least that’s the plan. But will Stafford beat out Culpepper for the starting job from game one? How many games can he win this season? Those are the questions facing Matt Stafford this preseason.