Wednesday's OTA/minicamp roundup: Palmer looking sharp
The NFL offseason train keeps rolling.
While some teams are still dealing with their OTAs, Tuesday saw a few teams begin their mandatory minicamps and the absence --€“ and presence -- of some familiar names made some news. Wednesday, however, brought more focus on what was going down on the field.
So, let's take a peek around the league and see what's going on.
CARDINALS
Quarterback Carson Palmer looked better than ever during his second day of 11-on-11 workouts after being fully cleared on Tuesday.
Palmer -- returning from a torn ACL he suffered in 2014 -- was razor sharp on Wednesday. Mike Jurecki reported that Palmer completed 23 of 28 throws with four red-zone touchdown passes. Two of those scores went to wide receiver Jonathan Brown, while the others were snagged by Andre Ellington and Ifeanyi Momah.
BEARS
Kyle Long has done well at his right guard spot over his first two seasons in the NFL as he's grabbed back-to-back Pro Bowl appearances.
However, Wednesday's OTA practice saw him line up at right tackle, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Will this be permanent? Well, no. Long's position change looks like a temporary thing as incumbent right tackle Jordan Mills missed Wednesday's practice.
"I was a little like a fish out of water, but it's to be expected," Long told NFL.com. "I've always thought I could do it, but who knows? We have guys who play right tackle."
His head coach, John Fox, seems to like Long at his normal spot.
"Right now, he's a starting guard," Fox said.
JETS
Brandon Marshall is getting familiar with his new teammates.
Gang Green is in the middle of their minicamp and Brandon Marshall is making news.
First of all, ESPN's Rich Cimini is reporting that the veteran wide receiver --€“ an offseason arrival in the Big Apple --€“ will have a 2015 version of "Jets West." If you remember, Jets West was an offseason workout once hosted by former quarterback Mark Sanchez in California.
Marshall has taken it over and moved it to Chicago and Geno Smith is organizing workouts with the wide receivers and tight ends.
Speaking of Geno, the quarterback put a subpar Tuesday practice behind him with a solid showing on Wednesday. He connected on a 70-yard touchdown pass to Walter Powell, beating Darrelle Revis, of all people.
Tight end Zach Sudfeld left the field with an injury after taking a shot to the back from safety Calvin Pryor. That normally wouldn't be a problem, but as Cimini noted, minicamps are supposed to be non-contact.
TITANS
Rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota is drawing rave reviews.
If awards were handed out for preseason workouts, Marcus Mariota would have an MVP in his hands.
The rookie quarterback --€“ and No. 2 overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft -- has been drawing rave reviews from coaches and teammates.
"He is deadly accurate," Titans receivers coach Shawn Jefferson told ESPN.com. "I am just giddy about his future going forward ..."
"He's the real deal. A couple years ago I was back in Detroit and when Matthew Stafford stepped into the huddle the first time, once I heard his voice and the way he called a play, I said, 'OK, that's a real one right there.' Same way with this one. He's real. He's got the goods."
But, what exactly has Mariota done well?
"No. 1, it's his accuracy," Jefferson said. "No. 2, he's come in and grasped the offense. And No. 3 is the way the guys respond to him, the way he's able to go in that huddle and take control."
Not a bad start, kid.
COLTS
Frank Gore's punishing running style could be a perfect fit with the Colts.
There's a good vibe floating around the minicamp in Indianapolis this week.
First, wide receiver Andre Johnson -- an offseason arrival -- referred to Andrew Luck as the best quarterback in the NFL. Then, fellow wide out TY Hilton called out another offseason prize: running back Frank Gore. Hilton said Gore, known for his punishing running style, brings an element that the team hasn't had in four years with Luck.
This team could be a lot of fun to watch in the fall.
CHIEFS
Knile Davis is not lacking for confidence heading into the 2015 season.
Knile Davis doesn't doubt himself at all.
Sure, the young running back is firmly the No. 2 running back in Kansas City behind star Jamaal Charles. But, Davis doesn't see much of a talent divide between the two.
"I don't feel like there's a gap, Davis told ESPN.com this week. "He's the starter. It's his time. I'm waiting (until) my time."
When that time will come is anyone's guess, but at least we know Davis can be counted on to play with confidence if his number gets called.
PATRIOTS
Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler has yet to make his OTA debut this year.
Has anyone seen Malcolm Butler?
The hero of Super Bowl XLIX has been a ghost at OTAs for the New England Patriots and nobody seemed to know why. All we knew was that his absence wasn't injury-related.
Well, Doug Kyed from NESN ended the questions on Wednesday when he reported that Butler was barred from three weeks of practices after he missed a flight and was late for the Patriots' first OTA practice on May 18. It wasn't seemingly his fault as bad weather forced his flight to be canceled and he contacted the team to let them know what was going on.
Butler has still been allowed around the facility and has been going to meetings and film sessions. He is expected to be back on the field with the team on Thursday. Too harsh a punishment, perhaps?
RAIDERS
It appears that Latavius Murray will be the primary running back for the Raiders in 2015.
Who will be the starting running back in Oakland?
After suffering through the mess of Maurice Jones-Drew and what was left of Darren McFadden in 2014, it's Latavius Murray who will be the primary back this season. Murray got three starts at the end of last season and has impressed new offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave.
"He has a chance at a huge year," Musgrave told ESPN's Adam Caplan on Tuesday.
Musgrave pointed to Murray's smarts and physicality as the reason he stands above other running backs Roy Helu, George Atkinson, Michael Dyer and Trent Richardson.
Fantasy owners, take note.