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The period of time between the start of training camp and the start of the season is what I like to call "Never never Land"; everyone seems to be covered in pixie dust and is going to have their best season ever, starting that trajectory towards a gold jacket and a Super Bowl ring. Of course, it hardly ever happens like that, with a few exceptions of note (ie, read all the Tom Brady stories going into last season...even I didn't really believe them then), but there are some stories out there that...well....really just don't matter. In no particular order of importance (because they aren't), here are 5 training camp competitions that really won't matter by the end of the season.
1) QB Drew Lock vs QB Teddy Bridgewater
Now I'm sure one of these guys will eventually beat the other one out to become the starter, but does anyone actually believe that either of them can actually lead the Broncos past the Chiefs this season. Both have a ceiling that borders on average at best, and when was the last time an average quarterback lead their respective team to a Super Bowl (yes Mr. Dilfer, we see your hand raised in the back of the room). Denver put all their chips in the middle for Aaron Rodgers when they didn't draft Justin Fields, who is now battling Andy Dalton for the starter's job in Chicago, but honestly, this battle is to see who gets to hold the clipboard when Denver's new franchise quarterback comes to town.
2) QB Jameis Winston vs QB Taysom Hill
As a Jameis fan, I have a heartfelt interest in how this plays out, but honestly, it probably will not matter. The chants of "Who Dat?" will still be coming from the stands, but will be more directed to who is catching passes rather than celebrating touchdown passes. With Michael Thomas due to be out at least through the early part of the season, the Saints boast (at best) a group of # 2's and 3's trying to get open for two quarterbacks that, frankly, aren't all that accurate. There's been talk of making Hill the starter and seemingly living off RPO, but unless the Saints want to just get their entire backfield killed along with their receiving corp, they are going to need to get really creative. Oh, and let's not pay attention to a defensive line that will see Onyenmata out for the first 6 games, and no longer has Trey Hendrickson off the edge. Might be a rough season there Saints fans...and I'll try to wipe that smile off my face too.
3) QB Brett Hundley vs QB Jacob Eason
A priest and a rabbi walk into a bar....oh heard that one? OK, Carson Wentz gets injured....oh, heard that one too? Yep, Carson Wentz is out with a foot injury that should take somewhere between 5 to 12 weeks to recover from (since when did Comcast get into the medical diagnosing business) but the Colts are now looking to get through the first half of the season with either Brett Hundley, who usually is the backup to the backup, and Jacob Eason, who is a lesser version of Josh Allen; almost all the arm strength with not near as much mobility. For full disclosure, I drafted Jacob Eason in another league, almost anticipating Wentz going down, but seriously....even I know he will have a long way to go before being a suitable starter in the NFL (look how long it took Josh Allen, who had a lot more reps). By the time Wentz gets back, the Colts fans may already be looking towards the draft more than the playoffs (BTW...Quentin Nelson came down with almost the exact same injury as Wentz a day later...who wants to bet a dollar against Nelson being back on the field at least 2 weeks before Wentz...just sayin')
4) RB Travis Etienne vs RB James Robinson
So the Jaguars have a horrible season but manage to see an undrafted running back have one of the best seasons in the NFL last year, behind a not-so-good O-line and troubled QB play (yeah, looking at you Gardner)....also with the 31st ranked defense. So, in this draft in the first round, you manage to snag your franchise QB and...another running back. Look, Etienne may be all that and a bag of potato chips, but unless he can also shutdown a team's top WR, the Jaguars aren't going anywhere (sorry for the slight there Sidney Jones). Somehow, I just see Etienne just taking carries away from Robinson, not raising the level of the rushing attack that matters less and less each season, and the Jaguars to draft near the top of the draft again next season.
5) QB Dwayne Haskins vs QB Mason Rudolph
In the battle to carry Ben Roethlisberger's clipboard, we have in one corner a guy who was gift-wrapped the opportunity to shine after Big Ben's elbow injury and managed to not make any impression (unless you count Myles Garrett making an impression on Rudolph's head with his helmet...but that's a different story). In the other corner, you see the only quarterback who managed to get himself cut in the second season of his rookie contract...by going to a strip club....after a loss....during a pandemic...without a mask. Better hope that Ben has another season in him, and that the Steelers have a Plan B at the QB position next season; somehow I don't think the future of the franchise is in that room.
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