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Training Camp Notes: Backfields In Motion

We're inching closer to actual preseason action which we can all pretend is somehow meaningful. Huzzah! Meanwhile, teams are busy sorting through their roster and trying to determine their best rosters -- or in some cases, the roster the head coach wants, talent or logic be damned.

  • Carlos Hyde drew some praise from Andy Reid on Saturday, as he gets first-team reps while Damien Williams deals with a strained hamstring. In fact, Reid's comments were really just a backhanded shot at Williams for missing time ("[Williams] has missed a lot of plays. It's been great for these other guys. [Hyde] has done a nice job. He's got a lot of reps and he's taking advantage of them.''), so while this is all likely to be long forgotten by Week 1, it's worth keeping in mind that Williams had never been an NFL starter before falling into the Kansas City job last season. He needs to be on the field to remind everyone why he won that spot in the first place.
  • Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones remain locked in a battle for the top spot on the Tampa depth chart. Barber still has the incumbent's advantage and showed his skills at the goal line during Saturday's practice, but Jones responded with two impressive runs during 11-on-11s, turning the corner and breaking off a big gain down the left sideline, then taking a short pass and plowing through traffic to move the sticks. The latter still seems like a better fit as primary back in a Bruce Arians offense, but there may not be clarity on this situation until it comes time to start doling out regular-season touches.
  • in a shocking decision, the Texans waived D'Onta Foreman, although the move wad foreshadowed last week when Bill O'Brien wouldn't even commit to Foreman being his No. 2 RB. The club cited his "work habits" as the reason he was cut loose, which seems ridiculous for a guy who just busted his ass to recover from a torn Achilles tendon, but whatever the reason, it leaves the Houston depth chart completely barren behind Lamar Miller. So, good news for anyone who's already got Miller shares.
  • one expected battle at running back that doesn't seem to have materialized is in Seattle, where Chris Carson is entrenched in the top spot. Rashaad Penny hasn't performed poorly in camp so far, but Carson just looks like the better back. In an offense that figures to lean heavily on its ground game, there could be enough carries and touches for most to be productive, but barring an injury Carson is the clear No. 1 for Pete Carroll.
  • the Patriots secured a big piece of their future Sunday by signing young whippersnapper Tom Brady to a two-year, $70 million extension that will run through 2021. Sure, he just turned 42, but you tell him he's too old or that his performance is in decline. Presumably this means Bill Belichick has also given some sort of commitment to sticking around that long too, as it's hard to imagine one without the other.
  • Antonio Brown saw a foot specialist Saturday and whatever the issue is, it doesn't seem like it will keep him sidelined for too much longer. Every day of camp he misses is a lost opportunity to develop a connection with new QB Derek Carr and get more familiar with the Oakland offense, and with the Raiders' first preseason game less than a week away, it seems highly unlikely he'll play despite his day-to-day designation. There's still time for Brown to get on the field and be ready for Week 1, but the clock's ticking.
  • switching to the other side of the ball, Yannick Ngakoue ended his holdout and reported to camp Sunday, under the deadline for him to still become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. The 24-year-old has racked up 21.5 sacks over the last two seasons and has plenty of incentive to be a key part of the Jaguars' defense once again.
  • finally, IDP stud Lavonte David is dealing with a knee injury that kept him out of practice this weekend. The 29-year-old reached 120 tackles last season for the fifth time in his seven-year career, but with the Bucs switching to a 3-4 defense and fifth overall pick Devin White joining David in the middle of the defense, it's not entirely clear how productive both LBs can be together, but the veteran can't afford to miss too much action if he wants to keep his spot as the top dog in Tampa.