Super Bowls aren't won in training camp, but they can be lost. At least they feel like they can, just ask the fan bases in Baltimore and Philadelphia. Both teams lost an offensive weapon for the season on Saturday and both teams are going to have a tough time replacing that lost offensive weapon.
The Eagles will try and make it through the 2013 season without wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (ACL). Maclin led the team with 69 receptions last season.
The Ravens could be without tight end Dennis Pitta. Pitta underwent surgery on his hip on Saturday, a surgery that could keep him from playing in 2013, according to CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora.
Here's a roundup of the most interesting news and notes from Saturday, July 27.
Injury bug bites hard
- Maclin is out for the season after tearing the ACL in his right leg on Saturday. That's bad news for coach Chip Kelly, offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and whoever decides to win the Eagles quarterback job. Maclin led the team in receptions (69), receiving yards (857) and touchdown catches (7) last season.
- Pitta's year might be over after he dislocated his hip in practice. Pitta collided with safety James Ihedigbo on a jump ball in the back of the end zone. The collision led to a dislocated hip for Pitta, who underwent surgery on Saturday and reportedly could be out for the season.
- Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Ryan Miller was taken to the hospital on Saturday after suffering a concussion that left him motionless on the field for almost 10 minutes. At one point, Browns staff asked the media not to identify the injured player so that they could alert the family of the injured player first. Miller was released from the hospital late Saturday.
- In non-season ending injury news, Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant didn't practice on Saturday.
Cowboys WR Dez Bryant sitting out practice with minor hip/quad issue, status for Sunday scrimmage uncertain http://t.co/QCyuO6OEZt
— Clarence Hill (@clarencehilljr) July 28, 2013
Who's breaking the rules?
It seems like almost every day there's at least one person getting suspended for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substance policy. On Saturday, that person was Oakland wide receiver Andre Holmes.
Holmes has been suspended for the first four games of the 2013 regular season. Of course, there's no guarantee he'll still be a Raider when he's not playing in those games. Holmes has only been in Oakland for three months and getting suspended isn't exactly the kind of first impression you want to make on anyone, especially Mark Davis. If Holmes isn't careful, he might end up like the Raiders last PR director.
Spotted
This t-shirt at Jets training camp pretty much sums up being a Jets fan.
Winner of the best T-shirt at Jets camp: pic.twitter.com/x44IJCTGki
— Ben Shpigel (@benshpigel) July 27, 2013
Quoted and noted
- When you think of Cowboys in the NFL, you probably think of the Dallas ones, but you shouldn't, you should think of Arizona. Cardinals coach Bruce Arians does. Here's his description of his relationship with quarterback Carson Palmer, "This is a cowboy movie, two old guys. This is our last rodeo in the desert. Let’s make it a good one."
- You probably didn't know this, because why would you, but Saturday was Ryan Tannehill's birthday. Click here for a picture of the Dolphins quarterback celebrating a past birthday wearing a t-shirt that says "future draft pick."
- The words 'Mark Sanchez' and 'picked off' seem to be tweeted a lot when the Jets are practicing. Here's an example of one of those tweets from Saturday.
Mark Sanchez had a bad overthrow deep and Antonio Allen picked it off.
— Brian Bassett (@Brian_Bassett) July 27, 2013
- Of course, Geno Smith doesn't throw picks that often because Russell Wilson doesn't throw picks that often and the quarterbacks are kind of alike, according to Jets receiver Braylon Edwards.
- On Friday, Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel drove a dump truck to practice. There's not many ways to one-up that, unless you're Colts receiver Reggie Wayne and you arrive in a helicopter.
Vine of the day
Here's Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder doing what every Vikings fan is afraid he's going to do on every play this season: overthrowing his receiver.
What it looks like when a Ponder overthrow heads right at you on the sideline. #Vikings https://t.co/kvpVuBRnSv
— VikingUpdate.com (@VikingUpdate) July 27, 2013
Romo, Romo, where art thou Romo?
- Cowboys coach Jason Garrett is tentatively planning to sit Tony Romo for the Hall of Fame game. The key word there is 'tentatively.' Garrett did concede that he might let Romo play somewhere around five plays.
- Speaking of the number five, that seems to be 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh's favorite number, as in Henry V. The San Francisco coach quoted the Shakespeare play during a post-practice press conference.
Fight night
It wouldn't be training camp unless there's a fight somewhere and there was on Saturday. Tempers flared at the Tennessee Titans practice, where 20-25 guys were involved in a push and shove match, according to the Tennessean. Coach Mike Muchak described the fight as 'little guys trying to look tough.'
Things to watch for on Sunday
- Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler is going for the hat trick at Bears training camp on Sunday. The Bears have practiced twice so far and in both practices Cutler threw a pick on his first pass. Can he make it three days in a row?
- If you're heading to an NFL training camp on Sunday, you might want to steal Jaxson De Ville's idea, that looks like a pretty good spot to watch from.
Well, this is interesting #Jaguars @JaxsonDeVille pic.twitter.com/f5JYUZjMos
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@jaguars) July 27, 2013