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NFL training camps are opening up across the nation and we have 7 players on rosters throughout.

Most will be in either a battle for a job or a battle for more playing time.

I am going to highlight each player with information I have collected. Please feel free to add more. Hopefully we can track each player as they go through these camps.

Khary Campbell Linebacker Washington Redskins
This could be a tough year for Campbell. The Redskins signed London Fletcher to be the MLB in the offseason and drafted both Dallas Sartz and HB Blades in the 4th and 5th rounds, respectively. Khary currently seems to sit behind Fletcher and Lemar Marshall (100+ tackles in 06) at MLB but Campbell has been a stud on teams (leading the team each of the last two years) and even had a start last season. And teams usually keep a player just to play special teams. I would bet he makes it.
http://www.redskins.com/team/profile.jsp?id=1009

Omar Jacobs Quarterback Kansas City Chiefs
Omar is not listed on the Chiefs website. Huard and Brodie Croyle are the unquestioned 1 and 2, questionably in that order. Former CFL MOP Casey Printers is on the roster, as well along with College FA Jeff Terrell.

Scott Mruczkowski Center San Diego Chargers
Scott is in a very good situation. He is on a great team with a line that is coming back nearly completely intact. He will be a restricted FA after this season. They just resigned Dielman long term. Scott is likely back for the next two years and then on to a starter's role. http://www.chargers.com/team/roster/sco ... kowski.htm

P.J. Pope Running Back Green Bay Packers
Things don't look good for PJ. The Packers lost Ahman Green but then drafted Brandon Jackson in Round 2 and DeShawn Wynn in round 7. (Wynn provides alot of what Pope does) Vernand Morency is on the roster and will compete with Jackson for the starter's role. Noah Herron is around as well and he flashed some ability out of the backfield. Pope's NFL run is likely not over but Green Bay is unlikely to be where he is this season.
http://www.packers.com/team/players/pope_p.j./

Steve Sanders Wide Receiver Cleveland Browns
Someone else might as well speak about the Browns as there are many diehard fans here. The roster at the top consists of Edwards, Jurevicous, Wilson and Cribbs. They also traded Droughns for Tim Carter. If Steve makes the team it will be a surprise.
http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/player.php?id=2856

Charles Sharon Wide Receiver Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags are loaded at WR. Ernest Wilford, Matt Jones, Reggie Williams. Then they went out and signed Dennis Northcutt and then drafted Mike Walker (3rd) and John Broussard (6th). Where does Charles fit in? The rest of the group is less than spectacular. Jimmy Farris, Roosevelt Kiser and D'Juan Woods. If they keep 6 it is probably Charles v John Broussard. Regardless there is a decent chance he is on the PS. Farris is a 4th year player and does not have eligibility of the PS.
http://www.jaguars.com/Team/Player.aspx?id=2660

Shaun Suisham Kicker Washington Redskins
"After joining the Redskins, Suisham played in five games and completed 8-of-9 field goals, with a long of 52, and 12-of-12 PATs for 36 points."~From the Redskins Website. http://www.redskins.com/team/profile.jsp?id=245
After bouncing around the league for awhile it looks like Shaun has a home. If he continues the success he had in limited time last year, he could be around a long time.

Some good observations. I think Charles Sharon could fit in at Jacksonville. There receivers have been underachievers for the last few years. He needs to continue his strides from mini camp and I think he will be fine.

I saw the Redskins brought in a kicker to challenge Suisham, but the way he performed at the end of last year, I agree he has found a home.

If Campbell gets released from the Skins, he will hook up with another team because of his special temas play.

tiznow wrote: If Campbell gets released from the Skins, he will hook up with another team because of his special temas play.

The problem is that the minimum salary a player can earn goes up as he gains experience in the league. Generally teams do not like to pay the salary of a guy who's been around for 4-5 years if all they're contributing is special teams, no matter how good they may be.

That role can usually be filled by somebody fresh out of college making the league minimum. This is what took Kevin O'Neill out of the league a few years back, despite being Detroit's best special teamer for each of his seasons.

Thanks for the update, GT. I wish all our Falcons the best for their quest in the NFL. Though I don't follow the league, I want to see BG players contributing.

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hammb wrote:

tiznow wrote: If Campbell gets released from the Skins, he will hook up with another team because of his special temas play.

The problem is that the minimum salary a player can earn goes up as he gains experience in the league. Generally teams do not like to pay the salary of a guy who's been around for 4-5 years if all they're contributing is special teams, no matter how good they may be.

That role can usually be filled by somebody fresh out of college making the league minimum. This is what took Kevin O'Neill out of the league a few years back, despite being Detroit's best special teamer for each of his seasons.

Agree and disagree. I think we are at an odd time in the NFL where some teams place a very high emphasis on STs and some do not. Some teams basically have STs players who happen to play another position. It first started happening with Long Snappers and then the Steve Taskers (outliers) and now we are talking about I would say 1 LB and one other guy (WR,DB,RB) per team. Marcus Wilkins (formerly of the Bengals) is a fine example.

But not every team seems to employ this. There seems to be a greater emphasis on a position as 6th/7th LB(extra DB, RB, WR) and STs captain. But not every team does this. (Josh Cribbs would be an example if he wasnt also a quality KR, sorry I dont have more examples but these guys tend to fly under the radar.) I am of the opinion that if Khary goes he will get another shot because of his special teams play. The issue will be how many teams throughout the league already have that STs LB?

(In the case of the Bengals there STs transistion is evident. They picked up Blue Adams{CB from Buccaneers} after he led his team in STs tackles last year and was released. They picked up Andre Frazier from the Steelers in midseason. They themselves cut Reggie Myles {a special teams maven} a few years back in season and then let Kevin Kaesviharn, Marcus Wilkins and Tony Stewart all walk for bigger contracts this year.).