NFL Training Camp: The Injuries Begin

When the players went through the lockout they really only gained one thing, and that was less practice time.  Gone are the two a days in the sweltering heat.  Gone are the goal line drills, and full pad practices of the past, however the season ending injuries still occur without contact, and they started the first weekend of training camp this year.

The Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens have lost TE Dennis Pitta for the season.  Pitta played in all 16 games for Baltimore last season and had 61 receptions for 669 yards with 7 TD’s.  These are numbers not easily replaced, especially since Pitta was slated to move into the starting role this season and contribute even more.  Being the defending champions is never an easy task, but losing Dennis Pitta would make it that much more difficult to defend.  The only saving grace for the organization is that it happened so early in camp that a replacement will have plenty of time to get up to speed.

The Woeful Philadelphia Eagles looking for a fast start and rejuvenation under new Head Coach Chip Kelly have lost WR Jeremy Maclin for the season.  Maclin the number two receiver on the Eagles played in and started 15 games while catching 69 balls for 857 yards and 7 TD’s.  The Eagles say they will look for Riley Cooper to fill the void.  Cooper a tough, cheap shot artist, is no replacement for the speed of Maclin, but he will probably make some more catches over the middle, where he isn’t afraid to take the big hit.  The Eagles have a new offense in place this season, and we will see if the absence of Maclin has any effect.

Training Camp has begun, and the season ending injuries will mount as the weeks pass.  It’s just the way it is.