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Denver Broncos position preview 2018: Running back rotation a top camp sub-plot By Ryan O’Halloran Denver Post July 19, 2018

Each season from 2012-16, two Broncos running backs had at least 100 carries. Coach wants a return to that divided workload.

“We want two or three guys to be our main core backs,” Joseph said during minicamp last month.

But which two or three guys?

The Broncos have five tailbacks — Devontae Booker, De’Angelo Henderson, , David Williams and — likely competing for four spots. is the only fullback on the roster.

Teams have differing philosophies at the tailback position: Workhorse or by committee.

Last year, 16 teams had a player with at least 200 carries, including seven playoff clubs. C.J. Anderson led the Broncos with 245 attempts, but is now in Carolina following his release.

Sixteen teams — half the league — had two backs with at least 100 carries.

“Every place is unique and different,” new Broncos running backs coach Curtis Modkins said. “The bottom line in this league is, you need (two) or three guys with diverse skills to get you through a season.”

Joseph said “somebody’s got to be the starter,” which means the first snap of the game and nothing more. At the start of camp, that figures to be Booker, who has the experience edge (29 games) over his competition.

But there is a reason why the Broncos used a third- (Freeman) and seventh-round (Williams) draft pick and signed Lindsay after the draft: Booker’s per-carry average of 3.6 yards is 27th out of the 29 backs in 2016-17 who had at least 250 carries (Booker had 253).

“He’s got to come out and work and earn the right to be the (first) guy,” Joseph said. “He understands that with C.J. gone, it’s a wide open race. He’s a good football player, but we want more from him, obviously.”

Henderson was a sixth-round pick last year and played only 20 snaps (seven rushes). His roster spot is far from secure.

Freeman is the most likely challenger to supplant Booker, or at the very least, be the top reserve. He scored 60 rushing at Oregon and caught 79 passes so he is not totally foreign to playing an all-around game. But the Broncos have only seen him on their practice field in non-contact drills.

“It’s hard to evaluate a running back without pads, but you can see his cutting ability,” Joseph said. “You can see the vision he has when he’s carrying the football. He also catches the ball well.”

Williams and Lindsay could be fighting for one roster spot and it may depend on what type of player the Broncos prefer.

If they want the bigger, more prototypical back, Williams (229 pounds) would be the favorite.

If they want the change-of-pace back, Lindsay (190 pounds) could emerge.

Williams averaged 4.8 yards per carry in 42 games for South Carolina (three years) and Arkansas (one year).

Lindsay had 117 catches in college and after watching him dart around the field in offseason practices, it’s not difficult to envision him having a package of plays.

As much as the Broncos will say they have time to make a decision, that is hardly the case. Once the pads go on, it will be a race to determine roles, ideally, by the third preseason game.

“We have a lot of running backs and they all can do similar things,” Booker said. “We’re just looking forward to seeing what we all can do.”

Denver Broncos running backs No. Player Age Year Ht./Wt. College 2 Phillip Lindsay 23 R 5-8/190 Colorado 2017 team: Colorado Signed through 2020 Cap number: $485,000 Aurora native had 765 carries and 117 catches in CU career. Intriguing change-of-pace back.

23 Devontae Booker 26 3rd 5-11/212 Utah 2017 team: Broncos Signed through 2019 Cap number: $725,848 Former fourth-round pick will get chance to be Week 1 starter. Has averaged only 3.6 yards per carry.

32 Andy Janovich 25 3rd 6-1/238 Nebraska 2017 team: Broncos Signed through 2020 Cap number: $671,077 Only fullback on the roster. Ten carries (two TDs) in 27 career games (nine starts).

33 De’Angelo Henderson 25 2nd 5-7/208 Coastal Carolina 2017 team: Broncos Signed through 2020 Cap number: $591,291 Carried seven times in five games as a rookie. Will be challenged to remain on the roster.

36 David Williams 24 R 6-1/229 Arkansas 2017 team: Arkansas Signed through 2021 Cap number: $503,495 Started career at South Carolina before playing senior season at Arkansas. Scored 15 TDs in 42 games.

37 Royce Freeman 22 R 6-0/238 Oregon 2017 team: Oregon Signed through 2021 Cap number: $480,000 Ultra-productive in college (three years of at least 1,300 yards). Could emerge as Week 1 starter. Broncos Training Camp Preview: Demaryius, Emmanuel and the receivers By Mike Klis 9 News July 19, 2018

In retooling his roster from last season’s 5-11 disaster, John Elway wanted to give the core of his team one more chance.

Give that 2015 nucleus a playoff-caliber quarterback, Elway’s thinking went, and the Broncos will be all right in 2018.

No two players embodied Elway’s loyalty to the SB50 core than and Emmanuel Sanders.

The local media may have speculated after last season that one of those two receivers would not return this year (cough! cough!). All Thomas and Sanders need to know is Elway believed in them.

“Communicating with you, I thought I was going to be gone,'' Sanders said in May. "But at the end of the day, I’m happy to be back. I’m ready to work and I’ve been working. I’m excited about this year, new quarterback. We have a system that now we can work the entire offseason on. Things are looking good.”

And not only does Elway believe Thomas and Sanders can still play at an elite level, he’s willing to pay the Broncos’ receiver duo a combined $20.75 million this season to prove it.

It should be noted there is a tentative expiration date to Elway’s trust. In the draft, he selected receivers with the No. 40 pick in the second round and DaeSean Hamilton midway through the fourth.

With Broncos rookies holding their own training camp practice in five days (Wednesday) and the first, full- squad workout in nine days (next Saturday), 9NEWS continues its daily positional preview today with a look at the receivers.

Overview: Thomas and Sanders were Pro Bowlers as recently as 2016, but both suffered production declines last year. Thomas failed to record 90 catches and 1,000 yards for the first time since 2011. Sanders, who battled an ankle injury much of last season, also saw his receiving stats reach 2011 levels.

Blame for these statistical slumps has been pointed at last year’s quarterback trio of Trevor Siemian, and . Now that the Broncos have signed to direct the offense, we’ll see if that’s true.

Behind Thomas, who is 30, and Sanders, 31, is an infusion of youth. Sutton will play with hopes he will quickly emerge as the No. 3 receiver. Hamilton also got plenty of first-team reps during the offseason.

Tiny-but-fast Isaiah McKenzie, who struggled as a rookie, will get a chance in year two to become the slot receiver.

Second-year receiver Carlos Henderson, a third-round draft pick last year, spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve following thumb surgery and did not have a good offseason.

Strength: If all goes well, this group has an exciting mix of decorated veterans in Thomas and Sanders, and promising rookies in Sutton and Hamilton.

Question mark: There are many, starting with whether Thomas and Sanders can rebound now that Keenum is their quarterback.

Sutton and Hamilton are confronting the challenge that rookie receivers almost always struggle.

Just ask McKenzie and Henderson.

Perhaps, the biggest question mark is the health of Jordan Taylor after the fourth-year pro underwent offseason surgeries on both hips.

Everybody loves “Sunshine.” His friendly disposition; long, blond locks; long, lean frame; enormous catching radius and hustling play has made him a fan favorite. Although he’s not a burner, Taylor rescued the Broncos’ punt return team last year by replacing the muff-prone McKenzie.

But the hip surgeries forced Taylor to sit out the offseason and he won’t be ready for the start of training camp. It may be wise for the Broncos to place him on an injury list for the start of the season with hopes he can contribute in the second half.

Pro Bowl material: Thomas (5) and Sanders (2) have combined for seven appearances.

Sleeper: . As an undrafted rookie out of Utah last year, he was cut by the Ravens, 49ers and Broncos. But he has an impressive 6-foot-5, 210-pound frame and he had a nice offseason. The Broncos’ coaching staff likes him.

Dolphins say 'all options still open' regarding potential anthem discipline By ESPN News Services ESPN July 19, 2018

Miami Dolphins players who protest on the field during the national anthem reportedly could be suspended for up to four games under a team policy issued this week.

The "Proper Anthem Conduct" section is just one sentence in a nine-page discipline document provided to The by a person familiar with the policy who insisted on anonymity because the document is not public. It classifies anthem protests under a long list of "conduct detrimental to the club," all of which could lead to a paid or unpaid suspension, a fine, or both.

In a statement, the Dolphins confirmed they sent the NFL the document, without offering specifics on what plans it laid out.

"The NFL required each team to submit their rules regarding the anthem before their players reported to training camp," the team said. "We will address this issue once the season starts. All options are still open.''

Sources told ESPN's Jeff Darlington that the Dolphins have not made any internal decisions about the extent to which players will be disciplined for those protests. In addition, a league source said that the Dolphins' submission of potential discipline is standard protocol followed by every team before training camp opens. The Dolphins are among the first to have players (rookies, in this case) report to camp, and so they were among the first to be required to submit the mandatory paperwork.

On the Dolphins' side, sources say that by submitting the paperwork, they are merely delaying their decision on how to handle player discipline for protesting during the anthem. By submitting maximum penalties, they can easily tailor those back. But once the paperwork is submitted, it is the team's understanding that it can't increase potential discipline for detrimental conduct. One source said there is no expectation that a player will be suspended four games -- listed as the maximum possible penalty -- for protesting during the anthem.

Miami's anthem policy comes after the NFL decided in May that teams would be fined if players didn't stand during the national anthem while on the field. The league left the punishment of players up to the teams. None of the team policies has been made public.

The NFLPA went on to file a grievance against the league over the policy. On Thursday night, the sides issued a joint statement, saying they continue to discuss the policy and that "no new rules relating to the anthem will be issued or enforced for the next several weeks."

The CBA lays out the specific punishment that a team would be able to hand out: "Conduct detrimental to Club -- maximum fine of an amount equal to one week's salary and/or suspension without pay for a period not to exceed four (4) weeks."

Wide receiver Kenny Stills, safety Michael Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas knelt during the anthem several times during the 2017 season. Only Stills is with the Dolphins now, as Michael Thomas signed with the and Julius Thomas was released. The Dolphins also added defensive end Robert Quinn in a trade with the in March. Quinn has raised his fist in protest during the anthem the past two years. After high-profile protest, Broncos' Brandon Marshall quietly mentoring a new generation By Troy Renck KMGH July 19, 2018

In the hours after President Trump praised the NFL’s new national anthem policy in late May, saying players who protest shouldn’t be in the country, one Broncos’ voice resonated above all others: that of Brandon Marshall.

He called Trump’s stance “disgusting” and said it runs “contrary to free speech.” Then the mics went silent and photographers left. This is a story about what Marshall did next. He hopped onto an airplane and took students from his Williams-Marshall Cares Leadership Program to Washington, D.C.

“To me, it was all about giving to the community. I had people contact me about it while I was out there. I know I said what I said, and that’s what I stand by, but this trip is for the kids. I want them to experience something different outside of Las Vegas and be able to take a trip to get some culture and get some history,” Marshall told Denver7.

Marshall created his leadership program with a purpose and strict principles: Making the trip required 54 hours of community service, a solid GPA and good attendance. Only two students qualified.

“I wanted to kind of simulate life. Everyone’s not going to get the prize at the end. You have to work for it,” he said. “I know some kids wanted to go and were sad they didn’t get to go, but I’m not going to just give them handouts.”

Marshall remains a man of conviction and holds big dreams for the future. He hopes to provide even more opportunities for kids, seeing involvement as a way to help them make educated decisions.

“God willing, I can stay here and play for the Broncos for another four years,” Marshall said. “I want to give these kids somebody to look up to. I want to create a program and actually be around, like, ‘Brandon is actually here with us. He’s hands on,’ and that’s what I do.”

Broncos training camp burning question: How much can the Broncos' rookie help the front seven? By Andrew Mason DenverBroncos.com July 19, 2018

By the time the 2018 NFL Draft was complete, the Broncos had picked more linebackers than they had in the previous five drafts combined.

Outside linebacker will get the bulk of the attention, of course. That comes with being the No. 5 overall pick and the consensus top defensive player in he draft class. But the additions of inside linebackers and on the draft's third day have the potential to transform the depth behind starters Brandon Marshall and Todd Davis, as well.

During offseason work, all three showed exactly what Defensive Coordinator Joe Woods hoped they would demonstrate.

“When we got with all of our rookie class we drafted, the one thing you saw on tape with those guys were all really good football players -- high football I.Q.," Woods said.

That means Woods can throw clumps of concepts at them and know they will stick. With Chubb, that means using him in myriad packages and shifting him between a stand-up alignment and a hand-in-the- dirt pass-rushing role, which in turn expands the pass-rush possibilities, as three or even four outside linebackers can be used together.

"He can play our outside linebacker position in base," Woods said. We've done some things in terms of adding some different front packages. He'll be the same type of sub[-package] rusher that Von [Miller], and [Shaquil] Barrett have been over the years.

"But just the versatility, the size, the power, the football I.Q., it's awesome to have a guy like that and add him to our arsenal."

What will constitute a successful season for Chubb? By the numbers, if he can notch eight sacks and force three , he will become only the 12th rookie or first-year player since 2000 to post that pair of numbers, according to pro-football-reference.com.

But it's possible that Chubb could dominate and not have the stat sheet reflect his efforts. That's what happened to Oakland's in 2014, when he finished with four sacks, but delivered dominant work against the run and posted 40 quarterback hurries, according to Pro Football Focus, which placed him eighth among NFL edge rushers.

Production for rookies is often a product of opportunity -- which can come with quick learning of the system. In that regard, Jewell has already made an impression.

"It just took him a little while to learn the system, but he’s doing well in our base defense as well as our sub packages," Woods said.

The Broncos' most experienced inside linebacker has taken notice.

"I like Josey. He’s a smart, smart kid. He’s intense. He’s a hard worker, a blue-collar worker," Brandon Marshall said during offseason work. "You see him out there going full-speed all the time. He knows what he’s doing already.

Marshall feels the same way about Bierria, a sixth-round pick who will grapple with veterans such as Zaire Anderson, Joe Jones and Jerrol Garcia-Williams for a roster spot.

"He’s going to be good as well. He just has to stay the course and keep working," Marshall said.

The same could be said of undrafted rookie outside linebacker Jeff Holland, who should get plenty of opportunities while Ray sits out training camp to recover from wrist surgery.

"We record all of the positive [plays] that guys make, and right now he’s blowing people away," Woods said. "He had a big day at the end of [the last week of OTAs], but right now he’s leading the charge. We just need to see what he does in training camp and in the preseason."

The Dolphins could suspend players for kneeling during the national anthem By Liz Roscher July 19, 2018

For the , the NFL’s anthem policy isn’t enough. The team is going a step farther in punishing players who kneel during the national anthem. According to the Associated Press, a team discipline document now includes a section on “Proper Anthem Conduct.”

It classifies anthem protests under a large list of ”conduct detrimental to the club,” all of which could lead to a paid or unpaid suspension, a fine or both.

Punishment for players can be up to four games, the Associated Press reported. However, it’s rare for players to be suspended for that long.

It’s so rare that when Dolphins player Phillip Merling was arrested and charged with assaulting his pregnant girlfriend in 2010, he wasn’t suspended a single game.

NFL owners passed their national anthem rule in May, which prohibits players from taking a knee during the song. The players who disobey and kneel are subject to fines, as are their teams.

Dolphins owner Steve Ross commented in March that “All of our players will be standing” for the anthem. He told the New York Daily News that he initially supported what the players were trying to accomplish by kneeling, but he then began to feel that the players were kneeling to protest against “support of our country or the military,” despite the players explicitly saying that was not the case.

Ross also said he was influenced by President Donald Trump’s comments against the players kneeling.

The day after his comments were published in the Daily News, Ross walked back what he said and clarified that he didn’t intend to force Dolphins players to stand.

Technically Ross isn’t forcing Dolphins players to stand, but he’s making it extremely painful if they decide to do otherwise.

NFL's Female Owners Are Changing the Narrative as They Continue to Gain Power, Influence By Jenny Vrentas MMQB July 19, 2018

Three years ago, while reporting a story about , I surveyed season-ticket holders in the stands at Detroit’s Ford Field. It had been a year and a half since her husband, William Clay Ford, Sr., died, making her the principal owner of the . Ford had already made some tough decisions— notably the in-season firings of the GM and team president—and I was curious to hear what fans thought of her leadership so far.

“Martha,” one season-ticket holder said then, “is not a football girl.”

It was a thoughtless reply, considering this fan had no tangible information on just how much Ford knew about the game or running a business, or how that compared to what her husband had known. It was, instead, a reaction to her gender and the norm across professional sports—that most team owners are male.

In recent years, those numbers have shifted a bit in the NFL. Along with the Lions, a total of eight NFL clubs have women holding a primary ownership stake: , Bills; Virginia Halas McCaskey, Bears; , Browns; , Saints; Denise DeBartolo York, 49ers; , Titans; and Carol Davis, Raiders. There are also several women who are part of ownership families who are actively involved in league business—among them are Katie Blackburn, EVP of the Bengals and daughter of Mike Brown; Charlotte Jones Anderson, Cowboys EVP and chief brand officer and daughter of Jerry; and Colts vice chair/owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon, daughter of Jim.

But if you were to rank the owners wielding the most power around the NFL, you would get pretty far down the list before getting to any of the women. There are a number of factors, including longevity (Benson just gained control when her husband, Tom, died in March); how active they choose to be (in the cases of McCaskey, York and Davis, their sons run the team); and sheer numbers.

“If you have X number of owners and only a fraction of X are women, then it’s a difference of percentage,” says Amy Trask, the former Raiders CEO. “It costs a lot of money to buy an NFL team. There are not a lot of people in the world who can afford to do so, and fewer women who can do so than men.”

There has also been the hurdle of women being viewed as influencers, rather than a spouse or a daughter, or a member of the support staff. In Trask’s book, You Negotiate Like A Girl, she recounts the owner of another team asking her to get him coffee when she walked into the room at her first league meeting. It was a mix-up, as he didn’t recognize her, but he was also surprised—the only other women in the room were part of the hotel catering staff.

That was some 30 years ago. In addition to the women holding ownership stakes, there are a number of high-ranking female executives around the league, including Chargers COO Jeanne Bonk and 49ers general counsel Hannah Gordon. Today, Trask believes the biggest difference in the room in strength of voices is not one of gender, but between team employees, like she was, and owners. When a person with an ownership stake speaks, it carries much more weight.

“If women who could write a check, like Oprah, bought an NFL team,” Trask says, “she could have as strong a voice as she wanted to have.”

The MMQB’s Albert Breer explained in his piece Wednesday how owners broker power around the league. Among the factors is being active in the room, which includes serving on the committees that help chart the league’s direction. Kim Pegula, who along with her husband, Terry, purchased the Bills in 2014, has quickly risen in league circles in this way—she sits on the business ventures committee, the Super Bowl & major events committee and the NFL Foundation Board. Pegula took former team president Russ Brandon’s spot on the 10-person business ventures committee earlier this year, after Brandon resigned from the Bills following what The Buffalo News reported was an internal investigation into allegations of his workplace misconduct.

“Her voice is one that people listen to,” Cardinals team president , who also serves on the business ventures committee, told The Buffalo News. “I think she comes from a perspective of making the league and all of our properties more fan friendly, so her input is greatly valued.”

Blackburn chairs the workplace diversity committee and the Super Bowl & major events committee, and sits on the CBA player benefit plans committee. Anderson is chairman of the NFL Foundation and, along with Dee Haslam, serves on the nine-member conduct committee. Irsay-Gordon is part of the digital media committee.

The club of NFL ownership is a far cry from a representative sample of the general public, given that you have to be born into the position or buy your way in. But Trask makes the point that we shouldn’t expect people in positions of power to only represent the perspective from which they come. “If one is suggesting that only women can articulate viewpoints that are important to women,” Trask says, “that’s akin to saying that women can’t articulate other viewpoints.”

But, it’s notable that while it once was a woman attending league meetings, it’s now women. As the next wave of leaders takes shape, there are a number of women positioned to grow in influence in NFL circles.

“As some of these women become the next generation of leaders,” Trask says, “they will have a strong voice, if they choose to do so.”

AFC West training camp preview: Key players to watch By Nick Shook NFL.com July 19, 2018

Training camp is quickly approaching, which means it's time to preview the most exciting part of the summer. With camps opening later this month, Jeremy Bergman, Herbie Teope, Nick Shook and Marc Sessler are examining the key issues for each team in this division-by-division series. Here's the AFC West camp primer:

Denver Broncos Training camp report dates: rookies (July 24) and veterans (July 27).

Location: UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado.

Most important position battle: Devontae Booker vs. Royce Freeman, running back. Denver has struggled to put together a legitimate threat on the ground in the last two seasons, and even though C.J. Anderson broke 1,000 yards rushing in 2017, it's been a point of relative weakness. With Anderson now in Carolina and Booker in the lead back role (for now), Denver looks to reset the position group. Neither Booker nor Freeman has proven to be a remarkable receiving option, making this competition a closer one, in that the "loser" can't just be shifted into a receiving-back role. Booker owns the advantage of experience, but Freeman is more equipped for a load, seeing as the third-round pick has 15 pounds on the third-year pro. Then again, Freeman also has a lot of mileage on him from his college days (he rushed 947 times for 5,621 yards and 60 touchdowns in four seasons at Oregon). Freeman could become the sought-after answer at the position, which is important because it can take a portion of the load off the shoulders of new quarterback Case Keenum.

Newcomer to watch: WR Courtland Sutton. This could also go to fifth overall pick Bradley Chubb or Freeman, who was a model of consistency during his four seasons at Oregon, but we're going with Sutton because of his potential impact and Denver's need for a reliable receiver opposite Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. The second-round pick is a big-bodied receiver who's flashed the ability to make spectacular catches and leap for jump balls, but where he fits into the offense will be interesting to see. He and Thomas are similar types of wideouts, but with Thomas now at 30 years old, Sutton arrives as the heir apparent to the role. His potential for immediate contribution could make Case Keenum's time with Denver much easier.

Looming camp question: Will Case Keenum be able to play near his 2017 level? Keenum played well above his perceived ceiling in 2017 with the Vikings, so well that his offensive coordinator () got another head-coaching shot. He also earned himself a contract with the Broncos. But can he do it again? Keenum landed inside the top 60 of the Top 100 Players of 2018, but prior to 2017, he never posted a passer rating above 88 and threw more than nine touchdowns in a single season. No one is expecting Keenum to threaten 's single-season passing record, but serviceable play is desired by the Broncos. Will Keenum be the conductor of a rejuvenated Broncos offense, or will he regress to his mean?

Kansas City Chiefs Training camp report dates: rookies (July 22) and veterans (July 25).

Location: Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Most important position battle: Derrick Nnadi vs. Xavier Williams, defensive . Bennie Logan is gone, having left for Nashville, leaving a decent-sized hole on the defensive interior. Kansas City filled the void by signing local product Williams, but the team also selected Nnadi in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft with the idea he'll eventually take over as the starter. How long until that happens? Williams doesn't have much of a track record -- 23 games played (two starts), 22 tackles, 0.5 sacks, one forced -- to predict whether he'll be consistently effective, leaving the door open for Nnadi to rise faster than usual. It might not happen out of camp, but the gap could close quickly, should the rookie have a fast start to his pro career. The Chiefs, who ranked 25th against the run in 2017, could use it.

Newcomer to watch: WR . No matter how beloved he might have been in Kansas City (or to fantasy owners), Albert Wilson doesn't really compare to Watkins. The latter comes to Kansas City on a healthy contract with plenty of expectations, both in terms of desired production and pairing with new starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes. How quickly can Watkins establish a rapport with Mahomes? This will help determine how quickly Kansas City can pick up where the departed Alex Smith left off. That will have a direct effect on whether the Chiefs can again reach the playoffs under Andy Reid in 2018.

Looming camp question: Is Patrick Mahomes ready to become the face of the Chiefs? He has the big arm and that one impressive (albeit meaningless) end-of-season win over Denver. But can Mahomes do it consistently as the team's established starter? Mahomes is a tantalizing prospect for some, thanks to the aforementioned cannon and dual-threat ability. He also had a season to get comfortable behind Alex Smith. How much that truly helped will be on display from the start of camp, and how far the Chiefs go will depend directly on his play.

Los Angeles Chargers Training camp report date: rookies and veterans (July 27).

Location: Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, California.

Most important position battle: Kyle Emanuel vs. Uchenna Nwosu, linebacker. Nwosu made his collegiate living as a dependable edge defender at USC, memorably recording a tackle on the goal line with the Pac- 12 Championship up for grabs against Stanford. He's not physically the most stunning prospect, but he thrives with fundamental tackling and great closing speed. Nwosu enters camp set up to give Emanuel -- who started 11 games last season and played better than his numbers indicated -- a run for the job.

Newcomer to watch: S . James wasn't expected to be available when the Chargers' time arrived in the 2018 NFL Draft, and while safety wasn't really a major need for the team, he's a talent that was too good to pass up at No. 17 overall. He's slated to start, but he will face stiff competition from Jahleel Addae in camp. Can James live up to the expectation and earn his starting job? If so, he stands to make a sizable impact for a Chargers defense that was already solid without him.

Looming camp question: Can the Chargers find a reliable kicker? Kicker was the main reason the Chargers didn't make the playoffs last season. Had Younghoe Koo been able to make a clutch field-goal try or two, Los Angeles would've been in a much better position at the end of the season. The Chargers enter camp again unsettled at the position, setting up a competition between Caleb Sturgis -- who kicked in just one game last season -- and Roberto Aguayo, who was notably released by Tampa Bay after his kicking demons refused to leave him alone. A year after the position sank them, can the Chargers find a solid option to avoid being undercut by special teams failures?

Oakland Raiders Training camp report dates: rookies (July 23) and veterans (July 26).

Location: Napa Valley Marriott in Napa, California.

Most important position battle: Receiver. Oakland added Jordy Nelson, who isn't what he was at his peak with the Packers but still has the potential to be a meaningful contributor. The Raiders also welcomed Martavis Bryant and Ryan Switzer into the fold via trade to a corps that, including Amari Cooper and Seth Roberts, will be one of their deeper groups in recent years. Given that Cooper was the team's second- leading receiver with 680 yards last season, QB Derek Carr could use the options. Determining who can contribute will be of vital importance for a Raiders offense that was often stuck in second gear in 2017.

Newcomer to watch: DE Arden Key. Key was lauded as a likely first-round pick before the 2017 season, but he slid to the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft due to questions about his drive and conditioning. Even with those questions, though, Key has the tools to become an effective edge defender. If lined up opposite Khalil Mack, he could make for one half of a menacing pass-rushing duo. Conditioning and effort are always tested in camp, making this one more important than usual for his chances of becoming an effective pro.

Looming camp question: Can OT step into a starting role and perform? Tackle wasn't a particularly strong position group in this draft, yet, Oakland selected Miller No. 15 overall after trading back in the first round. The Raiders boasted one of the league's better lines in 2016, but the unit faltered in 2017, resulting in a back injury to Carr and year-long offensive struggles that weren't entirely the front five's fault. If Miller can fit in as an effective right tackle (and beat out uninspiring veteran Breno Giacomini), the Raiders should return to blocking prominence, which will again make them an offensive threat -- and that will be important as the defense figures things out under new defensive coordinator Paul Guenther.

NFL's most indispensable defenders: sits at No. 1 By Adam Schein NFL.com July 19, 2018

We had fun naming the offensive players you can't live without on Tuesday. But you know what they say about defense and, uh, winning championships ...

Without further ado, here's our annual list of the nine most indispensable defensive players in the NFL:

1) Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams Aaron Donald is the single best defensive player in the NFL. Aaron Donald is the single best non- quarterback in the NFL. Aaron Donald is the reason why the Rams have a legit chance to go to the Super Bowl.

I could spit out a bunch of fancy numbers and stats -- both traditional and new agey -- but I watch this guy play the game. And you do, too. So you already know.

2) , LB, Denver Broncos The Broncos' sack master is a gem and the ultimate competitor. Yes, I know the sack total was depressed last year -- 10 was the lowest number Miller had posted since his highly abbreviated 2013 campaign -- but let's not forget the breadth of this guy's game-wrecking career and the fact that everything changed in terms of the coaching staff for the Broncos following 2016. Not to mention, Pro Football Focus credited Miller with the most total QB pressures (sacks, hits, hurries) of any edge defender last season. So, yeah, cool it with any "down season" chatter.

Denver's defense as a whole definitely took a step back last year, plummeting from fourth in scoring D in both 2015 and '16 all the way down to 22nd. But can you imagine how much worse the unit would be without No. 58 flying off the edge?

3) , DT, To some, this is a new name on the superstar scene. Not to me. I'm proud to say Cox has been on this list every single year since the 2015 edition.

The 6-foot-4, 310-pounder is a monster. And a leader. During Philadelphia's march to the Super Bowl championship, this disruptive force of nature truly showed his value. With Carson Wentz hurt, Fletcher Cox was the single best -- and most dominant -- player on the first Eagles Super Bowl winner. Think about the weight of that.

4) Khalil Mack, DE, Oakland Raiders Don't tell me about his sack total (10.5) being underwhelming last year. Or the Raiders' win total plummeting. As Derek Carr has said many times on my SiriusXM Radio show, Mack is capable of sacking the QB 30 times. Carr really believes that. And I have a difficult time wet-blanketing his confidence in Oakland's edge dynamo.

Let's be honest: Mack's constantly double-teamed and often held. But he still does plenty to destroy the opponent's best-laid plans. He still gives offensive coordinators nightmares. Where would the Raiders' defense be without No. 52? (Think about that secondary for a second ...) Mack is everything.

5) Everson Griffen, DE, The Vikings possess a fantastic defense, with three dynamite players in Griffen, CB Xavier Rhodes and S Harrison Smith. But I felt compelled to get Griffen on this list for the first time. This 30-year-old makes Minnesota's elite defense go. He's an unblockable and unstoppable defensive lineman who doesn't get enough credit. And he's the leader of the pack. Griffen, on my SiriusXM Radio show last week, refused to call the Vikings' defense the best in the game -- and stressed how much better the unit has to be with every detail. Somewhere, Mike Zimmer smiles.

Griffen sacked the quarterback 13 times last year -- he actually had 10 sacks in the first eight games, but then a torn plantar fascia really slowed him down -- and truly became entrenched as an indispensable star.

6) , DE, While some might say it's impossible to separate Bosa from , the former is simply better. He has 23 sacks in just 28 NFL games. And Year 1 was compromised by a holdout.

Bosa is a pass-rushing star. He's the Energizer Bunny of a defense that is excellent, and a Chargers team that I think can be Super Bowl-bound this season.

7) , DE, When you look up "indispensable" in the dictionary, Campbell is smiling back at you. Or he should be. The guy does it all for this stifling defense. He's a tackle. He's an end. He sacks the quarterback (14.5 sacks in 2017). He stops the run (67 total tackles).

Campbell is the leader of this young and starry Jags defense. And with at quarterback, it's Campbell and his defensive cohorts who put this team in the Super Bowl mix.

8) , LB, He's the Panthers' best player and team leader. When Kuechly misses time due to injury, Carolina isn't the same. Plain and simple. The defense comes apart.

Kuechly is a tackling machine (only the underrated Lavonte David has more tackles since Kuechly entered the league in 2012) and the pulse of 's Panthers.

9) Cam Jordan, DE, Saints This cat doesn't get enough credit for being great and absolutely invaluable. With all due respect to , I give Jordan the most props for the Saints' defensive turnaround last year. What else did New Orleans have on its defensive front? Jordan, who lines up all over the place, piled up 62 tackles, 13 sacks, 11 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and even a pick. He's a one-man wrecking crew.

If anything, I regret not having Jordan higher on this list.

Husband and wife, owners of the Denver Broncos, both have Alzheimer’s By STAFF Palm Beach Post July 19, 2018

In late June, Annabel Bowlen, the 65-yearold wife of Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, revealed that, like her husband, she too now has Alzheimer’s disease. The condition forced her husband to give up control of the team in 2014. In the announcement, Annabel said she wanted to make her diagnosis public right away to help raise awareness about others dealing with the disease.

“I recently learned that I’ve joined my husband Pat and the millions of others who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Since Pat’s diagnosis, I have gained a vivid understanding of this disease’s progression and its effect on those living with it as well as their families. My family and I have been — and will remain — dedicated supporters of Alzheimer’s awareness, treatment and research funding.

“I feel that it is important for people to know that those in my situation do not need to completely withdraw from their daily activities. Based on my own experience with Pat, there will still be many joyous and rewarding moments for me as well as my family and friends.

“I intend to proceed in life with the same strength, courage and endurance that Pat has shown in his battle with this disease. Like Pat, I know there will be good days and bad days ahead.”

Pat Bowlen, 74, reportedly began suffering from the disease in 2010. The Bowlens’ five children said in a statement that they have been inspired by the strength and courage she has shown while supporting their father. The statement says they’re confident she will bring “the same grace, compassion and determination to her fight.”

The team was placed in a trust when Pat Bowlen stepped down in 2014 because of Alzheimer’s. The trust is overseen by three people, including team president and CEO .

Titans want to talk to Jurrell Casey about his plans to protest during national anthem By Joey Garrison Nashville Tennessean July 19, 2018

The ' top brass wants to speak to Jurrell Casey after he returns from England, team president and CEO Steve Underwood said Thursday, suggesting that the star might not understand the league's new rules on protests during the national anthem.

Underwood made the comments at a sports authority meeting when asked by a board member to address remarks from Casey, who said on Wednesday during a promotional event in England that he plans to "take my fine" and protest during the national anthem this season.

Casey has not kneeled during the anthem in the past, but he has raised his fist after the anthem is played.

"In the case of Jurrell Casey, I think our head coach (Mike Vrabel) and general manager (Jon Robinson) are interested in having a conversation after he gets back from the United Kingdom," Underwood said. "We think there may be some misunderstanding on his part.

Because the new league policy does not provide anywhere that fines are made against players. If a player doesn't stand, the teams can be fined, but not the players.

"There are two things that can happen that are considered to be legitimate under the policy: stay in the locker room or you can stand respectfully during the anthem. And it doesn't apply just to the players; it applies to every employee of ours.

"So, we're not exactly sure why he suggested that he would, as he put, 'take his fine' because there will be no fines levied against him."

At the beginning of his remarks, Underwood stressed that the Titans have never had a player kneel during the anthem, saying he believes there may be some "confusion about that."

After the meeting, Underwood said the Titans are not disappointed with Casey.

"No. He made those comments overseas. We haven't had the opportunity to talk to him about what he said. But no, we're not disappointed. He's one of our starting players."

Casey is the first NFL player to suggest he would defy new NFL rules that have sought to end player protests during the anthem.

"I'm going to take my fine," Casey said. "It is what it is, I ain't going to let them stop me from doing what I want to do. If they want to have these battles between players and organizations, this is the way it's going to be."

Casey, a three-time Pro Bowl lineman entering his eighth year in the NFL, has said that his decision to raise his fist is a form of protest intended to be respectful.

The Titans signed Casey to a four-year, $60.4 million contract extension last season.

Players have protested racial inequality and police brutality during the national anthem for two seasons, ever since former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began sitting and then kneeling during the anthem during the 2016 preseason.

NFL, NFLPA “working on a resolution to the anthem issue” By Charean Williams Pro Football Talk July 19, 2018

The NFL and its Players’ Association released a joint statement Thursday night, hours after word leaked that the Dolphins have included a “Proper Anthem Conduct” section in their nine-page player disciplinary document. The statement said the sides have had recent discussions and are working on a resolution.

“The NFL and NFLPA, through recent discussions, have been working on a resolution to the anthem issue. In order to allow this constructive dialogue to continue, we have come to a standstill agreement on the NFLPA’s grievance and on the NFL’s anthem policy. No new rules relating to the anthem will be issued or enforced for the next several weeks while these confidential discussions are ongoing.

“The NFL and NFLPA reflect the great values of America, which are repeatedly demonstrated by the many players doing extraordinary work in communities across our country to promote equality, fairness and justice. f “Our shared focus will remain on finding a solution to the anthem issue through mutual, good faith commitments, outside of litigation.”

The players’ union filed a grievance against the league over its anthem policy. In response to criticism of players kneeling on the field, the NFL changed its policy this offseason, requiring players either to stand for the national anthem or to stay in the locker room during the anthem.

“All options are on the table” for anthem policy violations by Dolphins players By Mike Florio Pro Football Talk July 19, 2018

Technically, the list of 2018 work rules given by the Dolphins to their players says that suspensions could be imposed for violations of the new anthem policy. As a practical matter, this doesn’t mean that Dolphins players automatically will be suspended for violating a league policy that requires anyone inclined to protest during the anthem to stay in the locker room.

Per a team source, no decisions have been made as to the punishment that the Dolphins will impose if/when players violate the new anthem policy. “All options are on the table,” the source said.

The team was required to put together a list of rules, and like most work rules, few articulate a clear, set formula for how discipline will be imposed. It’s entirely possible that the Dolphins will utilize progressive discipline in this case, beginning with a fine, escalating to a greater fine, and eventually resulting in a suspension (maybe for only one game), if he continues to violate the anthem policy.

Regardless, the notion that any Dolphins player who violates the new anthem policy automatically will be suspended four games is incorrect. Instead, a four-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team represents the maximum discipline that the Dolphins or any other team can impose on a player.