Five Teams, Five Names To Call

Competition. Every team talks about it, and every team preaches it when July and August role around. Here are five teams and five veteran names they need to call to add some competition in training camp.

The Competition Factor

Competition. Every coach in the league talks about and every coach in the league wants more of it.

It is no secret that competition breeds success at the NFL level. Players are forced to bring their best every day in training camp, because the guy behind them is coming for their job. It translates to success as a football team.

When I was in Washington, our special teams coach, Danny Smith, told us that the sign of a good football team is when there is competition at every position on the field. It provides depth and it pushes veterans to come to play each and every day in the humidity of August.

Sure, we all know that there won’t be competition for certain positions in the NFL when it comes to super star talent—like Brady and Manning—but there is always room to bring in an experienced veteran guy (for the right price) that can lead some heated summer position battles.

Five Teams, Five Names to Call

Here are five teams that need to pick up the phone and give these players a call.

1. Buffalo- Chris McAlister, CB- The Bills are predominately a Tampa 2 defense, but they do play their fair share of man-to-man and fire zones on third down. Yes, they signed CB Drayton Florence in the off-season to play the Nickel Corner, but getting McAlister—a big, physical corner—into camp could prove otherwise. The Bills need a good start in ’09, and the more competition they have at key spots—such as the Nickel Corner—will make this team better.

2. Green Bay- Kevin Carter, DE- Every team needs depth along the defensive line, and the Packers still have some holes to plug. Green Bay addressed some needs in the draft by selecting NT BJ Raji and OLB Clay Matthews, but former first round pick Justin Harrell can’t stay healthy and leaves the Pack with some unanswered questions at defensive end. A veteran like Carter will not only push Harrell, but could also wind up as the starter on opening day.

3. New Orleans- Derrick Brooks, OLB- Sure, Brooks has lost some steps over the last couple of years, and he might be more suited for a Tampa 2 scheme, but new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams loves veteran players who have experience. He wouldn’t be a starter in New Orleans, but he could push the first unit and provide some depth over the course of a season and make a big difference in the locker room. It just depends if he is willing to accept that role.

4. Cincinnati- Edgerrin James, RB- The Bengals are rolling the dice with Cedric Benson at RB right now, and although they made a move for RB/FB Brian Leonard, they could still use the experience of a guy like James. In my opinion, there is no true third down back on this roster, so why not give James a call? In a reduced role he could be productive, and the Bengals need experienced playmakers with a healthy Carson Palmer back at QB.

5. Chicago- Dre Bly, CB- Bly is a risk taker, but does have experience with Loive Smith’s system from their time together in St. Louis. I never felt that Bly was a proper fit in Denver, and I like him in Chicago’s Tampa 2 scheme where you can limit his opportunities to jump routes—which got him into trouble with the Broncos. Bly can push Nickel Corner Corey Graham, and considering that starting CB Nathan Vasher’s production has declined, the Bears can use more competition and more depth at the position.

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