There is no bigger story in NFL training camps -- and maybe all of sports -- than the New England Patriots.
Some will say such a statement is ludicrous. They will chuckle at the idea the Patriots are a huge story because of the addition of Tim Tebow and the issues involving Aaron Hernandez.
Yet it is wholly accurate to say that as camps begin, no team will be watched more than New England. The hardcore football fan will ogle the Patriots. So will the curious. This team will be watched by people only fleetingly familiar with the NFL but have heard about a God-fearing failed quarterback and a Patriots player associated with a murder investigation.
Some will watch, hoping they fail. Others will follow them, hoping the opposite. Many will wonder if one of the NFL's great and storied teams can emerge from what has been a train wreck of an offseason.
Despite efforts to the contrary, the Patriots are now a reality TV show. Coach Bill Belichick will try to contain the ridiculousness, acting like the CDC following a viral outbreak. He'll limit press access and use even more monotone answers to reporter queries than usual, but stopping the insanity will be impossible -- even for him.
There are numerous issues with the Patriots. How much will Rob Gronkowski contribute? How will the team deal with the loss of Wes Welker, who signed with Denver? How long can the Patriots continue winning as Tom Brady is stripped of weapons by injuries and personnel decisions?
But two names will dominate as we await the start of NFL: Tebow and Hernandez. While we await repercussions caused by those newsmakers, here are storylines for each NFL training camp:
One Cardinals player told me wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald has been saying pretty openly to some teammates that he feels he has a "real quarterback" for the first time since Kurt Warner. That "real quarterback" would be Carson Palmer. Warner was with Arizona from 2005-09 and led the franchise to its only Super Bowl. Since Warner, the starting quarterbacks for the team have been Matt Leinart, Derek Anderson, John Skelton, Max Hall, Kevin Kolb, Ryan Lindley and Brian Hoyer.
Look for tight end Tony Gonzalez, likely in his last season in the NFL before he heads to the Hall of Fame, to have an extremely limited workload during camp. The team wants to save his body for late in the season.
The team lost a number of key veterans to either free agency or retirement, including Ray Lewis. One AFC general manager said his Ravens counterpart, Ozzie Newsome, "has made that roster leaner and, I would say, better. Ozzie's a magician."
One player who will be watched closely is Mario Williams. Is this the year he finally begins to live up to his contract and make news on the field instead of off of it?
What Panthers team officials are saying privately is this: They believe Cam Newton will have his best season and be considered better than the current crop of young throwers, like Colin Kaepernick and Andrew Luck.
Quarterback Jay Cutler, I'm told, has worked harder this offseason than in any previous one. The emphasis has been on cutting back turnovers.
The Bengals will be on HBO's Hard Knocks. Enough said. Training camp will be a zoo.
As with the Patriots, one off-field situation could dominate the season in Cleveland. Many across the league actually believe the Browns could be the league's surprise team. This seems a little far-fetched, but more than a few scouts have mentioned it. The problem is the FBI investigation into the business owned by Jimmy Haslam, who also owns the Browns. Some NFL owners continue to privately express great concern regarding the investigation.
As it has been for years now, and as it will be for the next several years, what happens in Dallas is all about Tony Romo.
The Broncos wanted Charles Woodson but may have lucked into a better situation by signing Quentin Jammer. He'll move to safety. He's a younger and more durable version of Woodson. How smoothly he makes the switch from corner to safety will be a key to Denver's season.
The Lions will deny this publicly, but this is a make-or-break year for coach Jim Schwartz. Another disaster like last season and he's likely gone. It doesn't help Schwartz's cause that Lions vice president Bill Ford Jr. recently wouldn't address Schwartz's future. Schwartz is in the first year of a three-year contract extension.
Maybe the most underrated coaching staff in football will try to get a handle on a defense that was absolutely blasted in the playoffs. The Packers have made changes on defense, but not enough. Aaron Rodgers will still have to be a hero.
Many will watch the calf strain of Arian Foster. He says it was a non-story, and that may be true. Foster is a formidable player and outstanding talent, but last season there was a noticeable loss of burst.
The Colts have a loaded backfield, and it begins with Ahmad Bradshaw, who signed as a free agent from the Giants. Bradshaw has had numerous injuries, but when healthy, he is one of the NFL's most explosive runners. If the Colts can get 12 or 13 games out of him, the Colts will be a serious Super Bowl threat.
Tight end Marcedes Lewis: "People are underestimating us. I think we might surprise some people." I actually agree, but for that to happen the team will work all camp to get Blaine Gabbert to be consistent and not act like he'll catch a case of herpes if he stays in the pocket.
Another team that could shock, because Andy Reid will get the most out of a team that has decent talent. Andy Reid in a big game? Not always great. Andy Reid building a franchise? Among the best.
This offseason, coach Joe Philbin has been noticeably more loose. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill told the Miami Herald: "I think we've all gotten more comfortable, ripping him, giving it back to him. He's got that real dry sense of humor. I try to rip him as much as I can." It may not translate into more wins, but it will translate into more trust, and players always play harder for a coach they trust.
I'm told quarterback Christian Ponder won't lose his job unless he absolutely melts down. He wasn't great last year, of course, but the coaches want to give Ponder a serious chance with their new weapons, especially receiver Greg Jennings.
The once-vaunted tight end combination of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez is no more. Gronkowski is hurt and Hernandez is in jail.
Coach Sean Payton has told some Saints leaders in the locker room he wants the team to have the same swagger it did before Bountygate.
One of the main undercurrents entering camp: Exactly how much longer will Tom Coughlin coach?
The quarterback situation is a train wreck. Despite what players may say publicly, Mark Sanchez has little support in the locker room.
The rest of the division has gotten better and the Raiders haven't. Destined for last place.
Mike Vick will likely start the season, but his injury history aside, there will be a quick hook, if needed. This coach has no loyalty to him.
There are NFL scouts who believe quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will continue a steep, physical decline that started several seasons ago.
NFC scout: "My candidate to shock the world next season is this team. I know they're in a brutal division but [coach Jeff] Fisher did one of the best coaching jobs in the league last year." Fisher improved the record by five wins from the previous season.
In the final four games last season, quarterback Philip Rivers wore gloves, going 3-1 with 13 touchdowns and no interceptions. He's contemplating wearing them all season. Something needs to change. Only Romo and Sanchez are under more pressure to win than Rivers.
Some team personnel executives believe the 49ers have the most physically talented roster in football.
Adderall issues aside, the Seahawks will be the trendy pick to win the Super Bowl. It's easy to understand why.
The Buccaneers are in no hurry to do a new contract with quarterback Josh Freeman, which makes his situation entering camp a bit more tenuous.
One Titans player believes Chris Johnson will lead the NFL in rushing. "He's pissed there's this perception that he's on the decline," said the player.
One team source believes quarterback Robert Griffin III will be at 70-80 percent by the start of training camp and 90 percent by the start of the season.
