#347: Burning Questions on the eve of 2022 NFL Training Camps (with Mark Schofield)

1. SECOND-YEAR QB’s -Now with Urban Meyer gone and Doug Pederson now running the show in Duval County, do you expect to see the Week 18 version of Trevor Lawrence for the vast majority of the 2022 season? -Based on your film study of him, what single aspect of his game MUST Wilson improve dramatically in order to have a successful sophomore pro campaign?  -Based on what you saw from Trey Lance on film in his two 2021 starts, do you think he is anywhere near close to ready to take command of the Niners offense? -In terms of realistic expectations, how would you characterize a successful 2022 campaign for Justin Fields? -How confident are you that Mac Jones, at least for the most part, will avoid the dreaded sophomore slump? 2. THE OLD LIONS -Schematically speaking, how would you anticipate Matt LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers to work around the limitations of their WR room this season? -Do you think that’s a smart bet to take the under on the Bucs 2022 O/U Vegas win total of 11.5? 3. THE WILD WEST -Do you anticipate little-to-no drop-off from Mahomes and the offense and how do you think the Chiefs will compensate for the loss of Tyreek Hill? -Do you think that Brandon Staley can afford to “take the points” at similar times this season, especially since he’s going to have a defense that is far more equipped to protect a lead? -Despite their question marks and shortcomings, I’m still not ready to say that the Broncos or Raiders are clearly the worst team in the division…and I still would not be shocked out of my shoes if either team finish first or second in the division. What do YOU think the key is to such a finish for Denver and Las Vegas?  4. HURTS/TUA -Two teams that have assembled deep and talented rosters for this season and beyond are the Dolphins and Eagles. Both teams have caches of offensive playmakers that keep defensive coordinators up at night, deep defensive fronts and star-studded cornerback tandems. But neither team’s QB situation inspires that much confidence. I don’t intend to be mean here as I hope both QB’s have elite seasons and prove me wrong, but which of the two QB’s do you think caps their respective team’s ceiling the most, Jalen Hurts or Tua Tagovailoa? 5. KYLER WITHOUT HOPKINS -What is the best way for Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury to overcome DeAndre Hopkins’ absence in the first six games of the season? 6. AFC NORTH -How good of a chance do you think Kenny Pickett has to be the man under center for the Steelers in Week 1? Who wins the Steelers QB competition in training camp/preseason? -Are the Ravens a great bet to win the AFC North in 2022? -Where exactly can this Bengals offensive line end up relative to the rest of the league and how much will Burrow’s absence harm their ability to improve cohesion? 7. THE CHAMPS AND THE FAVORITES -Two players who are almost as important as Von Miller in being that final puzzle piece in Buffalo are Ed Oliver and Gregory Rousseau. Of those two, which one would you anticipate becoming the Robin to Von’s Batman? -What does Allen Robinson bring to the Rams offense that neither OBJ nor Robert Woods did?