To players it's similar to the first day of school. For fans it's similar to christmas day (well..kind of, week one is more like christmas but you get the picture). Training camp has begun for all 32 teams. If you're an NFL junkie like I am then you have been watching NFL Networks coverage of inside training camp religiously since Wednesday.
Training camp is great because it represents a fresh start. Every team is equal, looking to develop their own identity. It's great for fans because they can go out to practice and watch their favorite team up close. Most teams offer special incentives for coming out to practice such as autograph nights (the NY Giants did this sunday after their practice).
But there is one thing that teams hate during training camp...injuries. And already several teams have been hit with the injury bug early in camp. On Saturday the Philadelphia Eagles lost wide receiver Jeremy Maclin for the season to a torn ACL he suffered in practice. Despite the presence of DeSean Jackson, Maclin has been the teams most productive receiver over the past two seasons and is in a contract year. A tough break for him and the Eagles, as they look to learn a new offense under first year coach Chip Kelly over the next 6 weeks.
The Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens also lost a key piece of their offense on Saturday when tight end Dennis Pitta injured himself on a jump ball in practice. Pitta landed awkwardly and was initially diagnosed with a dislocation of his hip. The Ravens were so concerned that he was rushed into surgery Saturday night where it was revealed he has a fracture in his hip bone. Pitta is also done for the season. This is sure to hamper the Ravens offense, especially since they were relying on Pitta and fellow tight end Ed Dickson to make up for the loss of WR Anquan Boldin (traded to the 49ers). The Ravens signed productive tight end Visanthe Shiancoe in an attempt to alleviate the loss of Pitta.
In Denver, the Broncos also suffered a season ending injury to offensive lineman Dan Koppen. Koppen was expected to play center for the team. This now leaves the Broncos thin on the O-Line as several of their other starters are recovering from off season injuries.
Injuries are the biggest fear of teams during training camp. Injuries in preseason games are even worse (a reason why the preseason should be shortened but that is a whole other argument). The silver lining for the Eagles, Ravens, and Broncos are that these injuries happened early in camp. They have plenty of time to adjust and move on with other players before the season begins. A loss to a star player in week 1 or the first month of the season can be far more devastating to a teams season.
Here's to good health and good competition for the next 6 weeks.
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