NFL OTA roundup: Panthers speeding up offense; Manning tutors Montee Ball
Around the NFL OTA world, the Panthers are looking for an up-tempo offense, Peyton Manning is mentoring rookie Montee Ball and other news and notes from Friday.
Which is good because their quarterback, Cam Newton, can be pretty good in an up-tempo offensive system, we’ve heard. New offensive coordinator Mike Shula’s play-calling verbiage is easier and quicker to get out, meaning Carolina should be able to get to the line of scrimmage faster.
Manning seems to be making sure Ball is as ready as he can be heading into his first NFL season. Here’s Kyle Montgomery from Mile High Report on what he calls the “orange and blue Odd Couple”:
The opportunity for Ball to learn is particularly great now while top 2012 Broncos rushers remain absent from on-field workouts. Willis McGahee, still recovering from injury in 2012, is working out in Miami,Lindsay Jones of USA Today reports. Knowshon Moreno is rehabbing his own knee injury at team headquarters, but isn’t yet cleared to participate in team drills.
Their absence has opened the door for Ball to be welcomed in as a difference-maker in this potent Broncos offense. Ball was even a member of Manning’s foursome in the Broncos’ golf outing last week.
Although he has spent most of his OTA time playing behind veterans Kevin Kolb and Tarvaris Jackson, Manuel is apparently impressing his new head coach quite a bit. Oh, and as Matt Warren of Buffalo Rumblings writes, Bills fans shouldn't worry about the fact that Manuel isn't signed yet:
Now isn't the time to worry about Manuel's contract. The last Bills draft pick not signed by the start of training camp was C.J. Spiller in 2010, who missed a week of camp. According to Spotrac, only four first rounders have signed their rookie deals as of May 31. One of them happens to be Kenny Vaccaro, taken one spot before Manuel by the New Orleans Saints. If the Pittsburgh Steelers sign Jarvis Jones, taken one spot after Manuel, the Bills' quarterback of the future will be slotted in.
Because it's better to be prepared, right? Especially when it's not really known yet whether or not Robert Griffin III will be ready to play in Week 1.
The Redskins wide receiver had shoulder surgery this offseason that doesn't sound like will hamper him too much going forward, but Garcon remains cautiously optimistic about the durability of a torn ligament in his foot. He's rehabbing it in hopes of avoiding surgery, but whether or not it gets re-aggravated this season remains a mystery.
