NFL Predictions 2011: 10 Teams That Won't Stand a Chance Without Training Camp
Jimmy Clausen wishes that he could have called a timeout on his rookie season.
Although the Panthers got the majority of the negative attention after garnering just a 2-14 record, there are also nine other clubs that could use all of the practice time possible if there is to be any smidgen of success in 2011.
It's doubtful that any one of these clubs could be competitive next season without a chance to gel as a cohesive unit first, and without training camp that's going to be near impossible.
Denver Broncos
1 of 10
It seems like even the Denver Broncos don't know the future of their football team.
With a new front-office man in franchise icon John Elway and a roster that is a combination of the previous two regime's failed blueprints, the Broncos find themselves in a unique place entering the 2011 campaign.
Now on the hook for the salary of three head coaches simultaneously, it's going to be interesting to see how the (previously) allocated money will play a factor in personnel decisions on the 53-man roster.
Arizona Cardinals
2 of 10
Larry Fitzgerald is just about the only player that the Cardinals can seem to rely on, and even his production is dependent on the quarterback.
After struggling mightily last season, the Cards are going to have to find a way to rebound and pull it together this year. Playing in an incredibly weak NFC West, the team cannot afford to waste their all-pro wide receiver's best years on the field.
If this team hopes to find any sort of semblance, it's going to have to start with hammering out the kinks in practice.
Tennessee Titans
3 of 10
Even the immortal Chris Johnson let down fans last season, and Tennessee is looking like an absolute disaster.
The team got rid of their iconic head coach, scrapped the franchise quarterback and were a pathetic 3-9 in conference play. The Titans also find themselves with a pressing need for a new signal-caller under center, and with the eighth overall pick in the draft, it's not likely they'll find one there.
Kenny Britt is a nice weapon on the outside, but similar to the Cardinals, it doesn't exactly do a whole lot of good to have a stud going out for the pass when the guy throwing the ball can't get it to him.
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Oakland Raiders
4 of 10
It's amazing that the Raiders went 6-0 within their division yet managed to finish with solely an 8-8 record.
Like every season in recent memory, the team is not going to manage much success without a capable quarterback. Maybe, just maybe someone in the front office will realize that drafting JaMarcus Russell first overall doesn't make it okay to have subpar options in the following seasons.
The defense was surprisingly solid, and the Raiders are a team that could be on the rise, but they have to continue to drink Hue Jackson's flavor of Kool-Aid.
Miami Dolphins
5 of 10
The Dolphins need help, and they need it right now.
The fan base is beginning to grow impatient, and it's hard to blame them. A 2-4 record within the division and a pathetic 1-7 at home is not going to sit well with anyone.
Just think: the Dolphins rostered both Chad Henne AND Chad Pennington, who combined don't seem to have the shoulder strength of some other quarterbacks throughout the league.
Carolina Panthers
6 of 10
Who wants to have a caption contest for the troubled Clausen pictured here?
It's hard to find a silver lining in Clausen's rookie season with the ineptitude that he showed in every single game. Frankly, it's hard to find anything to like about the Panthers' entire season.
Now franchise running back DeAngelo Williams is heading out the door, and a whole new regime is set to come enter, it's going to be another turbulent time ahead.
Minnesota Vikings
7 of 10
Adrian Peterson is a rock of prolific production, but it's a shame that he's caught in the Vikings' mess.
WR Sidney Rice is no lock to return to Minnesota as an impending free agent, which would further shrink the field for Peterson. Additionally, QB Joe Webb didn't do much to solidify his status as a feasible long-term option at the position last season, so the Vikings need help there, too.
And the defense? It's aging. While still productive, the Williams Wall isn't the same hurdle to clear that it once was, and d-line mate Ray Edwards is set to walk, as well.
Cleveland Browns
8 of 10
Mike Holmgren has laid the foundation for something positive to happen in Cleveland, but by no means are the Browns close to completion quite yet.
Colt McCoy was thrust into action after prolonged injuries to both Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace, and it was the best thing that happened to the club last season.
As long as Holmgren continues to draft well, the Browns have a promising future ahead, but with such a young core of players, they're going to need a whole ton of practice.
San Francisco 49ers
9 of 10
When Jim Harbaugh left Stanford for the San Francisco head coaching job, the world couldn't stop talking about the bold decision he'd made.
But now that the "sexy" has worn off from his success during the collegiate season, many are clamoring to see exactly how he's going to improve this underachieving team.
He's already gone on the record as a supporter of Smith, and believes that his "best days are ahead of him."
Dallas Cowboys
10 of 10
America's team, huh?
Dallas' nightmare season finished at 6-10 last season, failing to make the postseason after many had pegged them as Super Bowl Champions prior to Week One.
Granted, Wade Phillips being relieved of his head coaching duties marked a major shift in philosophy that the team desperately needed, but by no means did Jason Garrett finish implementing his style in the final weeks of the regular season.
And if they want to come back and make a statement, they're going to need to practice long before Friday and Saturday before the game every week.
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