The Most Important Lesson Learned in Each NFL Team's OTAs, Minicamp

Now that minicamps and OTAs have broken up for one last break before training camps open up, it is time to take a look at what each NFL team has learned from them. 

Whether there is a surprising rookie for a veteran whose roles could be changing, there is always something to take away from minicamp. 

Here is the most important lesson to be learned from each team's minicamp or OTA. 

New York Giants: David Wilson Is Impressive

A lot of Giants fans were critical of Jerry Reese for letting Tampa Bay swoop in and take Doug Martin one spot ahead of where the Giants took David Wilson, but so far, the Giants are pleased with what they have seen out of the Virginia Tech product.

Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride told ESPN he has been very impressed with Wilson's explosiveness:

"

"I don’t know if we’ve had a guy as explosive, regardless of position, here," said offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride. "That’s kind of exciting to see."

"

It will take some time for Wilson to get used to the pace of the NFL game, but so far, the signs are pointing in the right direction for Wilson. 

Washington Redskins: RGIII Is No Ordinary Rookie

Usually, it takes rookies, particularly quarterbacks, a considerable amount of time to adjust to the pro game. 

It appears as if Robert Griffin III is ready to buck that trend. 

So far, according to the The Washington Times, RGIII seems to have already earned the trust and respect of his peers, including tight end Chris Cooley:

"

He may not have felt it, but the way he’s addressed the guys in the huddle, the way he’s called his cadence at the line, the way he’s moving through his progressions.

He might feel like it’s happening slow and he might have felt like he had an ‘ah-ha’ day, but he’s consistently getting better, and I think a lot of people around him can see that.

"

Whether the Redskins will be successful both this season and in the future will hinge on the success of RGIII. So far, all arrows are pointing in the right direction for this long-dormant franchise. 

Philadelphia Eagles: Could Have the Best Four-Man Pass Rush in Football

In order to compete in a division with the likes of Eli Manning and Tony Romo, the Eagles need to be able to get to the quarterback in a hurry. 

Right now, the Eagles are hoping that their first-round pick, Fletcher Cox, can contribute right away. He is already taking first-team reps at practice, which is nothing to sniff at given the amount of talent the Eagles have on the defensive line. 

His teammate Cullen Jenkins said via Taking It 2 the House blog that he has been impressed with what he has seen from the rookie out of Mississippi State:

"

I’ve watched Fletcher, and he’s got a lot of ability. He’s a good kid, listens to the coaches well and I had a chance to talk to him about footwork, but Fletcher’s already really quick.

Once he learns how to anticipate the offensive lineman’s movement at this level, he’s going to be a really good player.

"

 If he keeps his play up, Cox can allow the Eagles to have the best pass rush in the division. 

Dallas Cowboys: Rookies Are Fragile, Handle with Care

The Cowboys drafted Danny Coale and Morris Claiborne to fill their big needs at slot receiver and cornerback, respectively. 

However, neither player can seem to stay on the practice field long enough to show what he can do. 

Claiborne is still recovering from wrist surgery that he had back in March, while Coale is trying to get over a broken foot he suffered in OTAs.

Neither player should be too concerned about missing significant time and should be ready to go by the start of the season, but Jerry Jones has to be anxious to see how his two rookies look on the field. 

New England Patriots: Not All Veterans Are Easy to Adapt to New Surroundings

In an otherwise quiet offseason, the Patriots made some headlines after cutting ties with receiver/personality Chad Ochocinco. 

By his own admission, Ochocinco was unable to pick up the Patriots complex offense, which would explain why Tom Brady always looked at him like he had three heads every time he ran a route. Ochocinco was coming from a relatively simple Bengals' offense to a complex, detailed Patriots offense that uses a lot of option routes and hot reads.

While the Patriots tend to sign more aging veterans than most teams, the moves that did not work out are usually related to the effects of age. In this case, Ochocinco's age and experience were the only things that kept him on the team for the entirety of 2011. 

Buffalo Bills: Cordy Glenn Is Better Than Expected

Before the draft, the Bills seemed content with going into the season with Chris Hairston as their left tackle. However, once they were able to land Cordy Glenn in the second round of the draft, Hairston's job was immediately up for grabs. 

So far, Glenn has been so impressive in minicamp and OTAs that coach Chan Gailey says that the job is Cordy Glenn's to lose, according to Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com. 

It remains to be see whether Glenn can keep up his play into training camp when the pads come one, but the fact that a rookie is entering training camp as the starter is quite indicative as to who will start a month from now. 

New York Jets: The 4-3 Defense Is the New Black

While using less and less of the base defense is a growing trend is today's NFL, the Jets' defensive brain trust is taking the concept to an extreme. 

The Jets plan on using more 4-3 concepts this year, which makes sense after drafting a player like Quinton Coples in the first round. It also makes little sense to take players like Mike DeVito off the field just for the sake of running a 3-4. 

With the adaptation of the 4-3, the base defense will be used sparingly, Mike Pettine told Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News:

"

We might not play a snap of base defense in a division game this year,” Pettine told Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. “If it’s five snaps a game, that’s probably a lot.”

"

In other words, you are more likely to see Tim Tebow on the field than catch the Jets in their base defense next season. 

Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill Is Not a Starter...Yet

Tannehill fans, brace yourself for some bad news. 

According to Will Brinson of CBSSports.com, Ryan Tannehill is not just an underdog to start—he is out of the running altogether. 

So far, David Garrard looks like the favorite to win the starting job, while Tannehill is still trying to catch up to the competition. 

Brian Biggane of the Palm Beach Post states that Tannehill's "untimely mistakes, particularly when throwing into traffic" have been Ryan's kryptonite and that "Joe Philbin and his staff have made it clear that turnovers will not be tolerated."

This is not to say that Tannehill is never going to be a good player, but it is always sobering news when a top-10 pick, particularly at quarterback, is not even in consideration to start. 

Minnesota Vikings: Percy Harvin Has a Is Not a Happy Camper

Or, as Jim Gaffigan would say, Percy Harvin is just a camper. 

It is unclear as to why Harvin is so unhappy with the Vikings to the point of requesting a trade. While these issues are usually related to money, Ian Rapoport reports (say that five times fast) that the issue is not contract-related:

"

Doesn't sound like Harvin's issues are contract-related. Frazier says the issues will be resolved & hopes he'll be at camp

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 19, 2012

"

While he did return to camp and appears to have ironed out some of his issues with the Vikings, he did say that 2012 was going to be a "contract year" for the young receiver. 

In other words, the Vikings probably made a verbal arrangement to offer Harvin and extension based on his 2012 performance. As we have seen many times before, verbal arrangements can get messy. Don't expect this saga to end anytime soon. 

Green Bay Packers: Defensive Rookies Will Start Immediately

After slipping all the way to the bottom of the NFL in defense, the Packers knew they had to make significant changes on the defensive side of the ball.

To no surprise, Nick Perry was getting first-team reps in OTAs. He will not face tough competition for the starting spot, as just about every player outside of Clay Matthews seemed to be replaceable after the Packers' defense slipped to the bottom of the NFL.

In addition, Jerel Worthy has been practicing with the starters in sub-packages and figures to be a big part of the Packers' plan next year, particularly as an interior pass-rusher.

Clearly, the Packers are still trying to find a replacement for Cullen Jenkins, whose absence clearly had a huge effect on their defense last year. 

Detroit Lions: More Immature Than We Could Have Ever Imagined

I don't mean to beat a dead horse, but clearly, the biggest lesson to come out of the Lions organization over the past month is just how immature this team really is. 

While general manager Martin Mayhew has done a tremendous job adding talented to what was an 0-16 team when he got the job, the onus is on the Lions to take the next step and fulfill their potential without letting themselves get in the way. 

Not only are current Lions getting DUIs like they are going out of style, but even players on last year's team who are now elsewhere are getting them.

If things don't improve, either someone is going to get killed in one of these DUI incidents or people are going to start losing their jobs. 

Chicago Bears: Matt Forte Is Not a High Priority

As someone who lived through a Darrelle Revis holdout, I understand that this is not news that Bears fans want to hear. 

However, if the Bears really wanted Forte to play this year, they would have paid him by now. Instead, they are weary of handing him over Adrian Peterson-type money because of concerns with his knees.

With Michael Bush on the roster, the Bears seem content with playing out the season without Forte. Meanwhile, Forte has come out to say that he will indeed be at training camp.

Checkmate.

If Forte does follow through on his promise to play, he will just have to hope and pray that he does not suffer an injury that will cost him a chance at a life-changing contract.  

Denver Broncos: Peyton Manning Is Healthy

While the Broncos were certainly interested in seeing how their rookies would look in OTAs, the biggest question was whether Peyton Manning would look like his old self. 

Based on how he looked in OTAs according to ESPN, the Broncos should have no qualms about the investment they made: 

"

Manning looked great, showing zip and accuracy on his passes, comfort under center, complete command of his offense and no ill effects from the nerve injury that caused weakness in his throwing arm.

"

It will still take some time for Manning to develop the same kind of timing he had with his receivers in Indy, but it's good to know that Manning's arm is back to normal. 

Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden Is Back

The Raiders roster may be a bit depleted after a series of cap-saving cuts, but they will be getting Darren McFadden back from an injury that sidelined him for about half of the 2011 season.

According to Bill Williamson of ESPN.com, Darren McFadden looked like his old self in OTAs:

"

Running back Darren McFadden practiced fully for the first time since last October. He missed the final nine games of the season with a foot injury. He looked good. Allen said McFadden is at full speed. 

"

If McFadden can find a way to stay healthy for 16 games, the Raiders can make a surprise run in a wide-open AFC West. 

Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe Is Further Along Than We Expected

Coming out of Memphis, Dontari Poe was viewed as a bit of a project, for he was unable to dominate the competition at a small school despite his incredible physical prowess. 

However, it seems as if Poe is NFL-ready much sooner than most expected. He has leaped in front of Amon Gordon on the depth chart and earned a role on the first team, according to KCChiefs.com.

If Poe can crack the starting lineup as a rookie, the Chiefs' defense has a chance to be exceptional in 2012. 

San Diego Chargers: Third Down Defense Is a Problem

After adding two pass-rushers via the draft and free agency, it is clear that the Chargers want to start getting off the field on third downs. 

In OTAs, the Chargers are placing an extra emphasis on third-down defense, according to Michael Gehklen of the San Diego Union-Tribune:

"

“It's obviously all non-contact,” coach Norv Turner said, “but we're going to spend a lot of time on third downs because it's important. We were great on offense on third down, but we weren't good on defense. If we can work on it together, we can help each other get better.”

"

Obviously, the Changers need to apply this emphasis on the field if they want to see results, but at least they are taking steps to fix the issue rather than just hoping it goes away. 

Baltimore Ravens: Paul Kruger Is the New Terrell Suggs

With a gaping hole at outside linebacker due to an injury to Terrell Suggs, the Ravens were left with a few options to replace him. 

According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, the Ravens plan on using Paul Kruger at the rush linebacker spot, the position Suggs played. 

Kruger was likely going to see a significant increase in playing time anyway with the departure of Jarrett Johnson, but he will now be the Ravens' featured rush linebacker as opposed to being a complementary player. 

There is no realistic chance that Kruger can replicate what Suggs does on the field, but at least Kruger has some experience. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: There Realls Is No Friction Between Big Ben and Todd Haley

As much as desperate reporters will drum up the Ben vs. Haley story, friction between the quarterback and coordinator simply does not exist. 

"

"People blew it way out of proportion," Roethlisberger told KDKA-TV on Monday. "It's something new, we're getting to know each other ... There's no trouble between us at all."

"

The truth is, players have to deal with having new coaches all the time, and changes in the coaching staff should not be used an an excuse for a player to play any worse. Would Roethlisberger prefer to stay in the system he is comfortable with? Sure, but that is not his call to make. 

Just like anyone else would, Ben is just getting used to a new working environment, which always takes some time. 

Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson Will Be the Entire Offense

The Browns did not trade up into the third pick in the draft to draft a part-time runner. Richardson is going to get the ball soon and often, and he knows it (via NFL.com):

"

“There ain’t no sugarcoating. I’m going to get the ball. I’m going to catch the ball. I’m going to block. I’m going to do everything I can and they’re going to put me in the best situation. I want to be that guy they don’t have to take off the field.”

"

With a rookie quarterback in Brandon Weeden and limited weapons at the receiver position, it makes all the sense in the world to give the ball to who was in my opinion the best player in the draft. 

The fact that Richardson excelled in pass protection and as a receiver in college only makes it harder to take him off the field. 

Cincinnati Bengals: Brandon Tate Could Be an Opening Day Stater

Now that Jerome Simpson is in Minnesota, the Bengals have a big hole to fill opposite A.J. Green. 

For now, Patriots outcast Brandon Tate is penciled in as the starter opposite Green headed into training camp. 

For Bengals fans, this could either mean that Tate is really developing into a complete receiver, or their depth is so lacking that they have no other choice. 

Seattle Seahawks: That Bruce Irvin Pick Was Pretty Decent After All

The Seahawks caused a lot of draft pundits to face-palm after picking Bruce Irvin so high in the first round.

So far, they are looking pretty smart for "reaching" for him. 

Irvin has been impressive in minicamp and OTAs. He had a countermove in one session against right tackle Breno Giacomini that left spectators with their mouths agape.

Irvin still has a way to go in terms of learning an NFL defense, but so far, Seattle is starting to make their critics eat their words for taking Irvin so high in the draft. 

San Francisco 49ers: A.J. Jenkins Has Work to Do

Like the Seahawks, the 49ers went against the grain with their first-round pick. 

However, unlike Seattle, the detractors of the Jenkins pick appear to be right.  

According to Grant Cohn of The Press Democrat, Jenkins has a ton of work to do before training camp opens in less than a month:

"

The Niners' first-round pick looked like one of the worst wide receivers on the field most of minicamp. He didn't play with the first- or second-team offense on Tuesday, and he didn't catch a pass in scrimmages on Wednesday. He had trouble staying on his feet all three days, which was odd considering it was a non-contact minicamp.

"

The good news is that this seems to be more of a conditioning issue, which is correctable. Plus, the 49ers signed enough wide receivers to survive a season without much contribution from Jenkins anyway. 

Still, it is always worrisome when bottom-dwellers on the roster are out-playing your first-round pick. 

St. Louis Rams: Janoris Jenkins Could Be a Steal

Despite taking a tumble down draft boards because of character issues, Janoris Jenkins is a supremely talented player and he is showing off his skill at OTAs.

Jeff Fisher told NBCSports.com that he has been impressed with what Jenkins has shown on the field so far:

"

He’s very talented—obviously we knew that, and that has shown just in the last couple days. He’s got excellent football intelligence and he carries things from the classroom to the field. He’s going to be a really good player really soon for us.

"

Granted, Jenkins has only been in an NFL facility for a few weeks, and he needs to prove that he can stay out of trouble over the long haul.

Still, so far so good for the North Alabama product.  

Arizona Cardinals: The Battle Rages on in the NFL's Most Boring QB Controversy

At this point, it hardly matters who wins this battle. Neither quarterback has shown the ability to win games on his own. The fact that John Skelton is challenging Kevin Kolb this much tells us all we need to know about Kolb as a quarterback. 

Still, through a month of OTAs and minicamp, neither player has yet to distinguish themselves as they both continue to split reps. 

Not matter who comes out on top, the Cardinals are going to be held down from being a good team because of their mediocre play at quarterback. 

Jacksonville Jaguars: Andre Branch Is a Stud

Andre Branch appears to have been underrated by just about every team in the NFL, including the team that drafted him. 

Said defensive line coach Joe Cullen via the Jacksonville Jaguars website of his impressions on Branch thus far:

"

He’s better than I thought...he’s working harder and getting better every day. Just a little bit, but he is better than I thought.

"

Perhaps Branch's performance in OTAs was enough for the Jaguars to cut their ties with the oft-injured Aaron Kampman.

Now that Kampman is officially out of the picture, Branch will get every opportunity to make a big impact in his rookie season and revive the Jaguars dormant pass rush.  

Tennessee Titans: Kendall Wright Is a Quick Learner

Usually, receivers take a long time to adjust to the NFL because of the dramatic increase in difficulty in the cerebral part of the game. 

Coming into this season, Kendall Wright was supposed to be an "X" receiver. However, Wright has been so quick to pick up the offense that he is being worked into other positions as well.

It is very rare for a rookie receiver to be able to pick up an NFL playbook so quickly to the point that he is taking on extra work. If Wright wind up being "X" receiver, it will be interesting to see how they work him into the lineup with Kenny Britt currently occupying the position.

The fact that Wright is being trained in Britt's spot could be an indicator of how they feel about Britt's chances of returning from his injury on time. 

The fact that Wright is being worked at other positions gives the Titans added versatility whenever Britt does come back.

Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck Looks the Part

Unsurprisingly, the Colts are thrilled with what they have seen from Andrew Luck so far. Receiver Austin Collie told NFL.com he is particularly excited about what the Colts have in their new quarterback: "The kid has got it."

Just like RGIII, expect a lot of glowing reviews from Indianapolis about Andrew Luck during training camp. Both players were exceptional prospects with a lot of talent, but be wary of casting any judgement until they hit the field with live hitting. 

Houston Texans: Brian Cushing Is the New Defensive Leader

With the possible exception on Jonathan Joseph, Brian Cushing was the Texans' best defender last year. 

Now that the former leaders of the Texans defense, Mario Wiliams and DeMeco Ryans, have moved on to other teams, the onus is on the New Jersey native to take on a leadership role, and he appears ready to do just that. 

Despite suffering a knee injury, he returned to OTAs earlier than expected, according to Terrance Harris of CBS Houston. Head Coach Gary Kubiak thought highly of the gesture:

"

“I thought it was important to have Cush step back on the field today,” said Texans coach Gary Kubiak, a day earlier indicated he would hold Cushing out for the remainder of the OTAs. “He missed those three days. We could’ve sat him but he wanted to go and end the OTAs having some work. I think it was important.”

"

While the Texans certainly have the talent on defense to get the job done, they need players like Cushing to grow into leadership roles to maintain their success. 

Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons Think Very Highly of Themselves

First, they were anointing their oft-injured defensive end as a Hall of Fame player. Soon after, Chris Hope claims to have signed with the Falcons because they are a "Super Bowl team."

Now, the Falcons are a good team that can certainly make a run, but since when are we putting so much faith into a team that scored two measly points in a playoff game six months ago?

As for John Abraham making it into the Hall—sorry, Atlanta, it's not happening. Abraham has been a very good player for a while, but he has always struggled to stay healthy and never led the league in sacks. 

Falcons Ring of Honor? Perhaps. Hall of Fame? Not a chance. 

New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees Will Play in 2012

While Saints fans were certainly nervous that Brees could do the unthinkable and sit out for the entirety of 2012, they have no reason to worry. 

Brees has said, via NOLA.com, that he will "never sit out the season" because he "loves the game too much."

Still, the question remains as to how soon Brees comes into camp, because the more time he spends on his couch, the less time he has to get the offense rolling without Sean Payton there to pick up the slack. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Doug Martin Will Start

The Bucs picked Doug Martin in the first round to be their do-it-all back. Because of his ability to do everything from pass protection to receiving (which is just about everything LeGarrette Blount cannot do), Doug Martin is going to be the key to the Bucs offense.

So far, according to TampaBay.com, the Bucs are pleased with what they have seen from Martin:

"

He’s only done it two days (Monday and Tuesday), but he’s done some nice things. You can see he has good vision. That’s one of the things you can’t teach. You can teach a lot of things, but for me to see daylight over here when I’m looking over there, that’s a gift.

"

If Martin can carry his showing in OTAs into the regular season, he should give Tampa Bay exactly what they need from the running back position.

Carolina Panthers: Luke Kuechly Is the Starting Weak-Side Linebacker

I know, it's not exactly the most riveting storyline in the NFL. But Panthers fans can be satisfied with the fact that their first-round linebacker has already cracked the starting lineup as the weak-side linebacker.

With Jon Beason in the middle and James Anderson playing the strong side, Kuechly is in an excellent position to rack up huge tackle numbers.

The former BC Eagles star is not a thumper like Beason. Instead, he is better at using his eyes and instincts to fight through garbage and make tackles. When the Panthers picked Kuechly, this is exactly the position they envisioned him playing as a rookie.