NFL Insider: Not a banner preseason for all – Florida Times-Union
Division titles aren’t won in August, but they can be lost.
Attrition is never evenly spread throughout the NFL. Through injuries and suspensions, some teams are hit harder than others.
The first week of the preseason games hasn’t ended yet — Houston and San Francisco play Sunday night — yet there are definite attrition losers already taking shape with the regular season still a month away. Here’s a look.
NEW ENGLAND
Losing Tom Brady for the first four games for his Deflategate suspension is being undersold. It’s huge.
The offensive flow of training camp is disrupted. It might not hurt Brady, but it could be a detriment to the other offensive starters.
Brady has a career record of 172-51 with 428 touchdowns. Backup Jimmy Garoppolo has thrown 31 passes in his career.
The defense has also taken a significant hit with defensive end Rob Ninkovich suffering a torn triceps. That is expected to sideline the 32-year-old Ninkovich for four to six weeks.
Ninkovich is a core player in Bill Belichick’s program, combining productivity, experience and leadership. He has played in 125 consecutive games for the Patriots — counting playoffs — with 46 sacks since 2009. Belichick’s decision to trade proven pass-rusher Chandler Jones to Arizona this offseason makes the Ninkovich loss even more of a blow to the front seven.
Ninkovich will return early in the season, but a setback like this could affect his strength and therefore effectiveness over its entirety.
Losing rookie fourth-round receiver Malcolm Mitchell for four weeks because of a dislocated elbow will stunt his development as well.
PITTSBURGH
The Steelers offense was looking nearly unstoppable as the offseason began.
However, losing receiver Martavis Bryant to a season-long suspension takes an electric playmaker away from Ben Roethlisberger. The 6-foot-4, 211-pound Bryant is a matchu*****ue for any defense. In 11 games last season, he caught 50 passes for 765 yards and six touchdowns.
With Antonio Brown and Bryant, Pittsburgh featured unquestionably the NFL’s best receiving tandem.
Running back Le’Veon Bell also could be suspended for the first four games for missing a drug test. That’s a lot of offense to lose, although DeAngelo Williams might be the best No. 2 back in the NFL.
Pittsburgh signed free-agent tight end Ladarius Green, but he’s been on the physically unable to perform list since camp began. Green was an underrated player in San Diego, playing behind Antonio Gates. He could be a huge addition for Pittsburgh, but he’s falling further behind by the day and losing trust.
Green had ankle surgery this offseason, but reportedly what is keeping him off the field now are headaches from concussions. He never told the team about this ailment before signing a contract with $4.75 million in guaranteed money.
The Steelers defense is still shaky. They need the offense to carry them more often than not.
BUFFALO
The Bills aren’t going to get much out of their first two picks in the draft.
First-round defensive end Shaq Lawson had shoulder surgery that could keep him out for roughly six to eight weeks of the regular season. Don’t expect much when he returns.
Second-round pick Reggie Ragland, a stout middle linebacker, will miss the season after tearing his ACL.
Coach Rex Ryan could use the help. His defense was ranked 19th in yards allowed, 16th against the run and 19th vs. the pass last season.
CHICAGO
Outside of the quarterback spot, the last position you want to see hit is at offensive line.
The Bears lost center Hroniss Grasu to a torn ACL in practice on Monday. He started eight games as a rookie last season after being selected in the third round.
SAN DIEGO
This one is self inflicted and just plain silly on San Diego’s part.
The current collective bargaining agreement was supposed to end lengthy holdouts for first-round picks.
San Diego general manager Tom Telesco didn’t get the memo.
It’s malpractice that Telesco hasn’t reached a deal with defensive end Joey Bosa. The third overall pick remains unsigned. It’s the longest stalemate since the latest CBA was adopted in 2011.
The disagreement stems from San Diego wanting offset language, which allows them financial relief if they cut Bosa and he signs elsewhere.
Way to have faith in your pick, Chargers.
San Diego also wants to defer some of Bosa’s signing bonus until next season.
Way to be cheap, Chargers.
Bosa’s future teammates, including tight end Gates, are starting to speak out against him. It’s a disaster.
Even if Bosa signs on Sunday, he’ll have missed vital time and will likely have trouble forming relationships with the coaching staff and in the locker room.
That’s an absurd way to treat someone who you need to quickly become an impact player.
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