Training camp heats up and pre-season begins this week for the remaining 30 teams. There will be games from Wednesday night to Sunday Night. Fake football season is here. Let’s take a look at some notes around the league and NFC North.
Around the League
Heeeeeeeeeeee’ssss sbaaaaaaaackkkkkk. Smokin Jay Cutler triumphantly returns from retirement to play for the Miami Dolphins. Ryan Tannehill injured his knee and is probably done for the season in Miami. Cutler reunites with Adam Gase (HC) in Miami, as Gase was Cutler’s OC with the Bears in 2015. This is Cutler’s most talented team he has ever been on (playoffs in 2016) and Cutler will earn 10 million plus incentives in the 2017 season. Good luck to Smokin Jay taking his talents to South Beach. Cutler will join Suh in Miami.
The Vikings extended DT Linval Joseph on a 4 year 50 million dollar deal with 31.5 million guaranteed. Joseph had two years remaining on his deal which turns it into a 6 year 60 million dollar deal total. Joseph is signed through the 2021 season and will finish his career with Minnesota.
The Cardinals signed OLB Josh Bynes. Bynes played for the Lions in the 2014-2016 seasons. Bynes earned a one year deal.
Jalen Collins was suspended 10 games for violating the PED policy. This is his second infraction and will be a blow to the Falcons secondary without Collins.
Linebacker Malcom Smith tore his pectoral and will be out for the year for the 49ers after getting a big deal with them this offseason.
Around the North
All four teams had their family night/mock game practices on Saturday.
Detroit
Lions looked sharp on offense with Stafford and Jamal Agnew was great on punt returns (taking two to the house). Detroit has some problems at left tackle with Decker out and Robinson/Kouandijo figuring things out. Detroit has one more open practice on Monday and then will go to Indianapolis for joint practices with the Colts.
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2017/8/5/16101492/2017-detroit-lions-mock-game-live-updates-open-thread
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2017/8/7/16068328/detroit-lions-training-camps-tock-report-left-tackle-greg-robinson
Green Bay
https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2017/8/6/16103200/packers-family-night-recap-special-teams-wide-receivers-tight-ends-running-backs
Green Bay’s offense looked good but Mason Crosby struggled on kicks. Montgomery and rookie Jamaal Williams split first team reps. Jeff Janis wasn’t even second team offense. The tight ends are looking good and Cobb still has chemistry with Rodgers.
Minnesota
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2017/7/24/16021438/minnesota-vikings-training-camp-2017
The Vikings are still without Latavius Murray but McKinnon has returned. Rashod Hill is the left tackle with Riley Reiff still out. Hill was hurt in the scrimmage but seems to be fine. The Vikings defense has been dominant and should have another top 5 defense in 2017. Linval Joseph got a huge extension for four more years at 12.5 million per season in new money.
Chicago
https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2017/8/6/16094792/chicago-bears-den-training-camp-news-updates-analysis-reports-august-6-2017-glennon-trubisky-family
https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2017/8/6/16101054/jay-cutlers-retirement-intercepted-gunslinger-headed-to-miami-chicago-bears-nfl-dolphins-tannehill
Glennon is the starter but Trubisky is showing good things in camp. Cutler takes his talents to South Beach. Rookie Adam Shaheen has looked good at tight end. The small school product should get significant snaps along with Zach Miller and Dion Sims. McPhee is still on PUP which hurts the Bears pass rush. Victor Cruz looked great on family night in the slot.
Pre-Season Schedule
http://www.espn.com/nfl/schedule/_/week/2
Green Bay hosts the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night at 8 PM (ET). Chicago hosts Denver at 8 PM on Thursday on NFL Network as well. Minnesota visits Buffalo at 7 PM ET on Thursday. Finally, the Lions travel to Indianapolis for 1:30 PM ET afternoon game on NFL Network on Sunday August 13.