Skip to main content
Advertising

'Inside Training Camp Live' Buzz: Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey motivated for quick return; Bills' defense adjusting to change

The 2023 regular season is just around the corner, and NFL Network has you covered with wall-to-wall training camp coverage each day starting at 10 a.m. ET. Follow along here for some of the best sights, sounds and moments from "Inside Training Camp Live" and around the NFL.

Jalen Ramsey motivated for quick return

Jalen Ramsey was initially given a December return timeline after undergoing a full meniscus repair on Friday, but the Dolphins cornerback is trying to beat that expectation. Head coach Mike McDaniel kicked off Monday morning by announcing there was no additional damage found in Ramsey's left knee and that he expects the three-time All-Pro to be 100% upon his return this season. McDaniel went on to share a conversation he had with the Ramsey this past weekend, saying the CB told him he'd beat any timeline by a month. NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reported on Inside Training Camp Live that Ramsey is already back in the building, indicating the 28-year-old's motivation to make his Miami debut sooner rather than later. The Dolphins signed Eli Apple in the wake of Ramsey's injury. Ramsey's impending return on his current timeline would be a boon for a Miami playoff run, but getting there might require a quicker rebound in a stacked AFC East division.

Vonn Bell sees some Burrow in Bryce Young

Vonn Bell saw the rise of Joe Burrow first-hand during the last three years in Cincinnati. The new Panthers safety sees some of the same qualities in Bryce Young. Joining Inside Training Camp Live on Monday, Bell was asked how the Panthers' No. 1 overall pick has fared so far in his first few NFL practices in comparison to 2020's top selection. "It's pretty much the same," Bell told NFL Network's Sara Walsh and Marc Ross. "They just want to prove themselves at first and let their play do the talking, then they go ease into the leadership role and whatnot. So, they're just trying to get their feet down, just really get out there and show the guys who they are and just showing up every day to work just trying to be a pro. But they're very similar and phenomenal talents, for sure." Bell said Young is looking more comfortable in the pocket compared to a typical rookie quarterback, and the 21-year-old is already misleading defenders with his eyes and taking advantage with his ability to throw on the run. "He's doing some things that can't be coached." Bell said. "It's just natural. He's very comfortable, he's got an arm, for sure, and he's a natural playmaker." After observing practice himself, Ross later added on ITC Live: "The Bryce Young we saw at Alabama is the Bryce Young I saw on the practice field -- decisive, in command, accurate, moved around and showed is play-making ability in drills. I think Panthers fans should be excited."

Bills' defense begins adjustment for 2023

Buffalo's defense has been a fixture within the league's top defensive rankings in recent seasons. The unit will have to adjust for that to happen again in 2023. Following the offseason exits of defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier and middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds -- the play-calling battery for the Bills' D the past five seasons -- Buffalo is well-equipped for such a change with head coach Sean McDermott taking over as DC for a unit that's filled with returning veterans. The same goes for the Bills' ongoing competition at cornerback. NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero pointed out on Inside Training Camp Live that Dane Jackson, Kaiir Elam and Christian Benford are competing for that starting spot opposite Tre'Davious White. The trio of young CBs has plenty of experience and a great opportunity to shine behind the Bills' impressive defensive front. Von Miller, the star of Buffalo's pass rush, is also preparing for a return from last year's season-ending ACL tear and general manager Brandon Beane is hoping he can play in Week 1. "I think it's definitely a possibility," Beane told Pelissero on ITC Live. "Not saying he would do it for sure, not saying he wouldn't. We're not quite there yet. But have not ruled out that he could play Week 1, if he gets cleared by doctors."

Dalton Kincaid impressing, replenishing Bills

First-round tight end Dalton Kincaid will be the featured newcomer for the Bills offense in 2023. Joining Inside Training Camp Live on Monday, teammate Dawson Knox said the rookie has been "impressive" so far. "Just very natural route-running, very natural hands," Knox told NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero. "He's got a great feel for what the defense is doing, which is very rare for a rookie to come in because NFL defenses are really hard to read. They're good at disguising, especially coach McDermott's defense." Kincaid's on-field abilities appear to match his attention to detail off the field, according to Knox, who noted the Utah product has been going overboard with his rookie duties of replenishing the TE room with snacks and coffee. "He's great -- he goes over the top -- he's always asking what he can do," Knox said. "Sometimes we got to be like, 'Dude, you're good -- don't worry about it.'" Added Knox: "(Kincaid) just does everything right. Great dude to hang around. He's the type of guy you just want to do well, as well, because he's just a good dude."

Top-five defense in Dallas?

Mike McCarthy on Monday stated his belief that the Cowboys have "the makings of a top-five defense." That isn't exactly coach-speak considering NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah echoed that sentiment on Inside Training Camp Live, saying Dallas has "easily one of the five most talented defensive rosters in the NFL." Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn's squad didn't make that upper echelon of defensive rankings in 2022, but has led the NFL in takeaways the past two seasons combined. The Cowboys' emerging defensive play coincides with the arrival of Micah Parsons, who Jeremiah says is "arguably the most talented defensive player in the NFL." McCarthy's statement came before the team's first padded practice of the season, which will be crucial to see where the defense is at this stage, especially for rookie defensive tackle Mazi Smith, who McCarthy says is "here to dominate the A-gap." Smith might very well be the missing piece who puts Dallas' defense among the NFL's best.

Contract year not a distraction for Patrick Queen

Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen is looking to take advantage of his situation instead of it becoming a distraction. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, which was prompted by Baltimore declining his fifth-year option, Queen's performance in the early throes of camp is producing high expectations from Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. "My expectations for Patrick are to have a stellar season," Harbaugh told reporters Monday. "It's only been affirmed by the way he's practiced, the way he's carried himself. He's in a contract year and all that kind of stuff; sometimes guys get distracted and he has not been distracted at all. He is locked in on the mission ahead, and you appreciate that. It's showing up in the way he's playing everyday." Queen had a positive outlook on his situation upon getting his option declined, calling it a "blessing in disguise." Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta previously said he hopes to retain Queen for the long-term despite making the risk given the team's cap situation. Queen is looking to cash in either way, but it will be Baltimore that profits from his play in 2023.

Bengals QB battle sees unexpected twist

Opportunity is knocking for Trevor Siemian and Jake Browning to show their stuff with Joe Burrow nursing a calf injury, but there was an unexpected twist to the scenario when the Bengals trotted out to practice on Monday. NFL Network's Steve Wyche reported on Inside Training Camp Live that it was Browning taking the first-team reps with Siemian manning the second team. Browning has yet to see an official NFL snap since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and the 27-year-old has spent the last two seasons on Cincinnati's practice squad. Siemian, 31, who was signed this offseason to presumably be Burrow's primary backup, has 30 NFL starts under his belt and owns a 42:28 TD-INT ratio. As Wyche pointed out, it's unclear whether this is part of a scheduled rotation. NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah indicated as such, adding that Siemian and Browning virtually play with the same style of quarterbacking. But just as Wyche and Jeremiah concluded their summations, Browning uncorked a perfect deep ball to Ja'Marr Chase down the sideline, which suggests why he's been trusted to run with the 1s.

A brush with Lamar Jackson

The star power of Lamar Jackson in the greater Baltimore area knows no bounds. Just ask this young man who was in awe when he got a high-five from the Ravens quarterback as he made his entrance onto the practice field. To his parents' dismay, he might never wash that hand again.

Related Content