Training camps are now in full swing, and several are filling out their rosters by signing veteran free agents. We are also still waiting for the start of the preseason, but that kicks off tonight with six games on the schedule. Here's all the latest news and rumors you need to know:
Luck in for another bad year?
Colts quarterback Andrew Luck is coming off the worst season of his young career, but much of the blame for his struggles were placed on a bad offensive line and the various injuries he suffered. However, there may be more cause for concern. According to Zac Keefer of the Indianapolis Star, Luck hasn't been great in training camp so far.
He arrived on campus three weeks ago as the $140 million player with plenty to prove. He went back to the basics, retooling his throwing motion from the feet up. He made some throws that only a few quarterbacks in this league can make. He also made plenty he’d love to have back.
How to grade Andrew Luck’s fifth NFL training camp?
Uneven.
“I’ve made my fair share of mistakes, for sure, like anybody in training camp,” Luck said Thursday, moments after the Colts wrapped up their final workout at Anderson University. “I'd like to think that I haven't repeated any of the same mistakes. That's part of practice, making mistakes, but you try not to repeat them."
But there were also plenty of interceptions. Some were situational and can be excused; Luck heaved the ball up in 2-minute drills as if it was a Hail Mary. Some were brain cramps that need to be cleaned up. The good news: The regular season doesn’t start for a month. Even though the Colts return to their 56th Street facility next week, Luck still views it as training camp.
Luck passed for 1,881 yards, 15 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in seven games last season.
Questions about Ladarius Green's future
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed tight end Ladarius Green to help replace the retired Heath Miller, but Green may not even see the field. According to ProFootballTalk, Green is experiencing recurring headaches that have raised questions about his playing future:
First, rumors of Green dealing with lingering headaches have been circulating since training camp opened. The person who first mentioned the ongoing headaches to PFT suggested that Green is considering retirement. If the headaches don’t resolve, retirement remains an option.
Second, earlier today the same source told PFT that there’s new speculation that the Steelers may eventually cut Green.
Third, the Steelers could end up recovering (or at least trying to recover) Green’s $4.75 million signing bonus. If he retires, Green definitely owes the money. Even if he’s cut, however, there’s a chance the Steelers could make the same argument the Patriots advanced three years ago regarding defensive end Jonathan Fanene.
In 2013, the Patriots signed Fanene, gave him a $3.85 million signing bonus, and later cut him due to a knee injury that, as the team argued, came from a condition he had failed to disclose. If Green didn’t tell the Steelers he was still experiencing headaches at the time he was signed (and if he was indeed experiencing headaches), the Steelers could try to recover the $4.75 million.
Green caught 37 passes for 429 yards and four touchdowns last season with the San Diego Chargers.
Antonio Brown ejected from practice
The Steelers and Detroit Lions are having joint practices, and things have been getting pretty heated. According to Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, wide receiver Antonio Brown was kicked out of the practice for his actions directed at an official:
No joke: Antonio Brown in the verge of being ejected... from a **preseason joint practice** for unsportsmanlike conduct toward an official
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) August 10, 2016
Field judge officiating joint practice sajd Antonio Brown woulda been ejected from a game
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) August 10, 2016
Still is reporting AB to league for his actions
The official reportedly called a pass incomplete in the end zone, and Brown disagreed with the call, demanding a flag. The official believed that Brown's action were over the top, and would've warranted an ejection in a game.
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