FBG Notes - Week 2 Training Camp Summary

Photo: Michael Chow, USA Today Sports

One of the best and most comprehensive features we do every year is our Footballguys Training Camp Updates. Every week in August, our Bob Henry and his team of Footballguys Staffers cover every player that matters from every NFL team. It's incredible and frankly, probably worth the price of the Footballguys Season Long Pro subscription just by itself. Each edition is almost 40 pages long.

While I encourage you to read every word of every week, I also understand Life Happens. And one of the more valuable services Footballguys can add is saving you time. For this article, I had the idea of taking the comprehensive Training Camp Update and distilling it down into 80 proof shots of the Need-to-Know material. Some teams will have more news than others. Because that's how it works in real life. Much of it will be from the Camp Updates, some of it will be my takes but all of it will hopefully be useful to you. And make sure to jump on our Season Long Pro subscription to continue seeing this type of stuff all year long. And if this feature is helpful to you, shoot me an email at bryant@footballguys.com and let me know.

Let's get to it.

Arizona Cardinals | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Kyler Murray has been hitting the weight room and bulking up this offseason.
• Running backs Kenyan Drake and Chase Edmonds are locked into the RB1 and RB2 roles. The Cardinals are liking what they see in rookie Eno Benjamin who is battling for the RB3 spot on the team.
• Kyler Murray believes that the Cardinals can produce three 1,000-yard wide receivers in 2020 with DeAndre Hopkins, Larry Fitzgerald, and Christian Kirk.
• Kingsbury believes Christian Kirk will benefit the most with the addition of DeAndre Hopkins. Thinks a big year is in store for Kirk.
• Tight end Dan Arnold continues to impress and is the leader in the tight end battle.

Atlanta Falcons | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Second-year offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter's acclimation to the wide zone scheme that he wasn't familiar with but asked to maintain is a plus. Matt Ryan says Koetter's better understanding should help Ryan stay upright and productive.
• Although Todd Gurley will be limited during camp to stay fresh as the team's projected feature back, he's running, cutting, and catching the ball well.
• The projected competition for the No.3 receiver role is between Justin Gage and free-agent acquisition Laquon Treadwell.
• UDFA rookie tight end Jared Pinkney earns another mention as a dark horse candidate to earn the No.2 spot on the depth chart.
• Cornerback A.J. Terrell made a good first impression in camp with an interception of Matt Ryan while covering Calvin Ridley as he continues his pursuit of a starting spot.
• Atlanta declined defensive end Takk McKinley's fifth-year option and brought in additional firepower in Dante Fowler and depth with Charles Harris with the hope it incentivized the talented McKinley to prepare for a breakout season.

Baltimore Ravens | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Lamar Jackson worked out with his receivers in June and has been diving deep in film study.
• Running back Mark Ingram received compliments from his offensive coordinator on his ability to finish runs; Ingram should remain the team's starter heading into Week 1.
• Wide receiver Marquise Brown hopes to align Jackson's work on deep accuracy with his elite speed.
• Across from Brown, fellow receiver Miles Boykin is the favorite to start with the team having drafted two slot receivers rather than a perimeter threat.
• Tight end Mark Andrews is even more motivated for an encore to his 2019 breakout season due to the contract extensions of Travis Kelce and George Kittle.

Buffalo Bills | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Head coach Sean McDermott and left tackle Dion Dawkins both signed contract extensions.
• Few offenses return as many starters as the Bills do, which should give them an advantage given the limited practice time available this year.
• Most of the attention will be on new #1 wide receiver Stefon Diggs, but a lack of reps with Josh Allen could lead to a slow start.
• With two excellent downfield threats outside, Cole Beasley and Dawson Knox both should have more room in the middle of the field.
• On defense, Josh Norman could have an edge in the cornerback competition while rookie defensive end A.J. Epenesa could make Trent Murphy expendable.

Carolina Panthers | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• The coaching staff used the first full practice to replicate game-day scenarios by calling plays into quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's helmet.
• The wide receiver room is counting on their speed to open things up for the entire offense and give them an advantage over other teams' defenses.
• Mike Davis, Reggie Bonnafon, and Jordan Scarlett are all in the running for the backup running back positions.
• The Panthers are likely looking to the waiver wire or free agent pool for their third tight end.
• After a wrist injury limited a stellar rookie year for Brian Burns, the defensive end is back, healthy, and focused on having an even bigger season.

Chicago Bears | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• The quarterback competition will be decided in training camp and Nick Foles has received early praise for his knowledge of the offense. Trubisky has received praise from players as well. Cordarrelle Patterson said, "He looks like a whole new player this year. I see it in his eyes. He's got that fire in him."
• Cordarrelle Patterson has been taking part in running back meetings this year, which suggests he could be in line for a bigger role there.
• At wide receiver, Allen Robinson needs a contract extension as he enters the final year of his deal while Anthony Miller looks ready to take on a bigger role.
• The tight end position was rebuilt but there are still concerns relying on a 34-year old Jimmy Graham and an unproven rookie in Cole Kmet.
• On defense, the pass rush should be much improved, but questions remain in the secondary.