The Ghosts of TC past (2026 version)

[Bobhaze]

Every year during training camp and pre-season games, a group of long shot roster members buried deep on the depth chart end up becoming “Training Camp Heroes”.

Guys who become media darlings for “having a great camp”. Then are unceremoniously cut and mostly forgotten as “Ghosts of Training Camp Past”, lol. (No disrespect intended here - just a little fun)

Here are just a few of the names of training camp heroes of the past whose star burned out quickly:

• Beau Morgan, RB (1997-98)
• Jeff Ogden, WR (1999)
• Woody Dantzler, RB (2002)
• Ross Tucker, G (2002)
• Terrance Copper, WR (2004)
• Losaka Polite, RB (2004)
• Skyler Green, WR (2005)
• Isiah Stanback, WR 2007)
• Kevin Ogletree, WR (2009)
• Phillip Tanner RB (2012-14)
• Danny Coale WR (2012)
• Matt Johnson S (2013-14)
• Lucky Whitehead, WR (2015)
• Darrius Jackson, RB (2016, 2019)
• Rico Gathers, TE (2016-17)
• Lance Lenoir, WR (2017)
• Deonte Thompson WR (2018)
• TJ Vasher WR (2021)
• Jaquan Hardy, RB (2021)
• Dennis Houston, WR (2022)
• Issac Alacon, DL (2023)
• Jalon Cropper WR (2024)
• Zion Childress LB (2025)

All of these guys had “a great camp” and most if not all faded quickly into the roster history books.

Whose name will eventually be added as one of the “Ghost stars of training camps past” this year? Who did I forget from the past?

 

[Point-of-the-Star]

Just knew Kaiir "Shutdown" Elam would be your 2025 "ghost".

 

[Bobhaze]

Just knew Kaiir "Shutdown" Elam would be your 2025 "ghost".

He’s a good candidate! We can add him to the list.

 

[DarkVader33]

Caleb

 

[zrinkill]

I remember how hyped I was about Woody Dantzler and Rico Gathers

Never again will I fall for the hype.

 

[maryquality]

Every year during training camp and pre-season games, a group of long shot roster members buried deep on the depth chart end up becoming “Training Camp Heroes”.

Guys who become media darlings for “having a great camp”. Then are unceremoniously cut and mostly forgotten as “Ghosts of Training Camp Past”, lol. (No disrespect intended here - just a little fun)

Here are just a few of the names of training camp heroes of the past whose star burned out quickly:

• Bo Morgan, RB (1997-98)
• Jeff Ogden, WR (1999)
• Woody Dantzler, RB (2002)
• Ross Tucker, G (2002)
• Terrance Copper, WR (2004)
• Losaka Polite, RB (2004)
• Skyler Green, WR (2005)
• Isiah Stanback, WR 2007)
• Kevin Ogletree, WR (2009)
• Phillip Tanner RB (2012-14)
• Danny Coale WR (2012)
• Matt Johnson S (2013-14)
• Lucky Whitehead, WR (2015)
• Darrius Jackson, RB (2016, 2019)
• Rico Gathers, TE (2016-17)
• Lance Lenoir, WR (2017)
• Deonte Thompson WR (2018)
• TJ Vasher WR (2021)
• Jaquan Hardy, RB (2021)
• Dennis Houston, WR (2022)
• Issac Alacon, DL (2023)
• Jalon Cropper WR (2024)
• Zion Childress LB (2025)

All of these guys had “a great camp” and most if not all faded quickly into the roster history books.

Whose name will eventually be added as one of the “Ghost stars of training camps past” this year? Who did I forget from the past?

Good list. Bringing back fond memories of Training Camp HOF'ers!

 

[Robbieac]

When many of those players were cut, there was an entertaining amount of weeping and gnashing of teeth around these parts.



I believe many were also enraged when Michael Jackson and Bo Scarborough didn’t make the roster.

 

[gimmesix]

Every year during training camp and pre-season games, a group of long shot roster members buried deep on the depth chart end up becoming “Training Camp Heroes”.

Guys who become media darlings for “having a great camp”. Then are unceremoniously cut and mostly forgotten as “Ghosts of Training Camp Past”, lol. (No disrespect intended here - just a little fun)

Here are just a few of the names of training camp heroes of the past whose star burned out quickly:

• Bo Morgan, RB (1997-98)
• Jeff Ogden, WR (1999)
• Woody Dantzler, RB (2002)
• Ross Tucker, G (2002)
• Terrance Copper, WR (2004)
• Losaka Polite, RB (2004)
• Skyler Green, WR (2005)
• Isiah Stanback, WR 2007)
• Kevin Ogletree, WR (2009)
• Phillip Tanner RB (2012-14)
• Danny Coale WR (2012)
• Matt Johnson S (2013-14)
• Lucky Whitehead, WR (2015)
• Darrius Jackson, RB (2016, 2019)
• Rico Gathers, TE (2016-17)
• Lance Lenoir, WR (2017)
• Deonte Thompson WR (2018)
• TJ Vasher WR (2021)
• Jaquan Hardy, RB (2021)
• Dennis Houston, WR (2022)
• Issac Alacon, DL (2023)
• Jalon Cropper WR (2024)
• Zion Childress LB (2025)

All of these guys had “a great camp” and most if not all faded quickly into the roster history books.

Whose name will eventually be added as one of the “Ghost stars of training camps past” this year? Who did I forget from the past?

Think some of these were just wishes and weren't actually stars of training camps past. For example, Coale was hurt before camp, missed most of camp and didn't really do anything, but we kept him on the PS for potential. Same with Matt Johnson.

 

[Tangle_Foot]

Right on cue the annual warning training camp threads. Don't believe any of the hype, retire your pet cats, put away your anointing oil. Don't get excited about the NFL holiday season that's right at our doorstep. This is Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year's with a little trick or treat sprinkled in.
Hard not to get excited. So you hype a
player that doesn't make it, you're survive, it's all part of the experience. Enjoy yourself this training camp/NFL holiday season and don't let anyone tell you how you should spend your holidays. Enjoy the Kool-Aid and cheer everyone.

Tangle_Foot Out

 

[stilltheguru]

Don't remember cropper balling in camp. I do remember in preseason he'd always look underwhelming though.

 

[Coogiguy03]

let's just hope we're not cutting Trigg!!! He'll be picked up asap!!!

 

[Kwyn]

Every year during training camp and pre-season games, a group of long shot roster members buried deep on the depth chart end up becoming “Training Camp Heroes”.

Guys who become media darlings for “having a great camp”. Then are unceremoniously cut and mostly forgotten as “Ghosts of Training Camp Past”, lol. (No disrespect intended here - just a little fun)

Here are just a few of the names of training camp heroes of the past whose star burned out quickly:

• Bo Morgan, RB (1997-98)
• Jeff Ogden, WR (1999)
• Woody Dantzler, RB (2002)
• Ross Tucker, G (2002)
• Terrance Copper, WR (2004)
• Losaka Polite, RB (2004)
• Skyler Green, WR (2005)
• Isiah Stanback, WR 2007)
• Kevin Ogletree, WR (2009)
• Phillip Tanner RB (2012-14)
• Danny Coale WR (2012)
• Matt Johnson S (2013-14)
• Lucky Whitehead, WR (2015)
• Darrius Jackson, RB (2016, 2019)
• Rico Gathers, TE (2016-17)
• Lance Lenoir, WR (2017)
• Deonte Thompson WR (2018)
• TJ Vasher WR (2021)
• Jaquan Hardy, RB (2021)
• Dennis Houston, WR (2022)
• Issac Alacon, DL (2023)
• Jalon Cropper WR (2024)
• Zion Childress LB (2025)

All of these guys had “a great camp” and most if not all faded quickly into the roster history books.

Whose name will eventually be added as one of the “Ghost stars of training camps past” this year? Who did I forget from the past?

Some other recent ones I recall

Ben DiNucci, QB - 2020
Simi Fehoko, WR - 2021
Malik Jefferson, LB - 2022
Juanyeh Thomas, S - 2022


The usual suspects were clamoring for The Nuch to replace Dak.

When we do this list again in the future

Jaydon Blue, RB - 2025
Phil Mahah, RB - 2025
Jay Toia, DT - 2025

 

[unionjack8]

Ben Bass, we had guys on this site saying he had pro bowl ability. Lol

 

[gimmesix]

Some other recent ones I recall

Ben DiNucci, QB - 2020
Simi Fehoko, WR - 2021
Malik Jefferson, LB - 2022
Juanyeh Thomas, S - 2022


The usual suspects were clamoring for The Nuch to replace Dak.

When we do this list again in the future

Jaydon Blue, RB - 2025
Phil Mahah, RB - 2025
Jay Toia, DT - 2025

That's possible, but I don't know if I see anyone really hyping Toia. He'd have to have a huge start to camp to draw that kind of hype. Blue definitely and I think Mafah already has gotten more than he deserved last preseason.

Anthony Smith seems to be a candidate this year, along with Michael Trigg. I can see Trigg looking like John Stephens Jr. did (when we converted him to tight end) only to then disappear.

 

[gimmesix]

Ben Bass, we had guys on this site saying he had pro bowl ability. Lol

Who was that tall defensive end we took in the last rounds (maybe the seventh) who had a moment and then just went away?

.... Looked it up - Jalen Jelks. Thought he had something for a minute.

 

[Kwyn]

That's possible, but I don't know if I see anyone really hyping Toia. He'd have to have a huge start to camp to draw that kind of hype. Blue definitely and I think Mafah already has gotten more than he deserved last preseason.

Anthony Smith seems to be a candidate this year, along with Michael Trigg. I can see Trigg looking like John Stephens Jr. did (when we converted him to tight end) only to then disappear.

Last year he was and that’s why I added him,

Once they had Clark and Q, Toia became a ghost. He might not even make the team this year so I guess he would go on next years list

 

[gimmesix]

Last year he was and that’s why I added him,

Once they had Clark and Q, Toia became a ghost. He might not even make the team this year so I guess he would go on next years list

Was he? I don't remember anyone ever being high on Toia. I think most were just hoping because we were still counting on Mazi. I don't think he ever did anything that made him a training camp star. He did not have a great camp.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Every year during training camp and pre-season games, a group of long shot roster members buried deep on the depth chart end up becoming “Training Camp Heroes”.

Guys who become media darlings for “having a great camp”. Then are unceremoniously cut and mostly forgotten as “Ghosts of Training Camp Past”, lol. (No disrespect intended here - just a little fun)

Here are just a few of the names of training camp heroes of the past whose star burned out quickly:

• Bo Morgan, RB (1997-98)
• Jeff Ogden, WR (1999)
• Woody Dantzler, RB (2002)
• Ross Tucker, G (2002)
• Terrance Copper, WR (2004)
• Losaka Polite, RB (2004)
• Skyler Green, WR (2005)
• Isiah Stanback, WR 2007)
• Kevin Ogletree, WR (2009)
• Phillip Tanner RB (2012-14)
• Danny Coale WR (2012)
• Matt Johnson S (2013-14)
• Lucky Whitehead, WR (2015)
• Darrius Jackson, RB (2016, 2019)
• Rico Gathers, TE (2016-17)
• Lance Lenoir, WR (2017)
• Deonte Thompson WR (2018)
• TJ Vasher WR (2021)
• Jaquan Hardy, RB (2021)
• Dennis Houston, WR (2022)
• Issac Alacon, DL (2023)
• Jalon Cropper WR (2024)
• Zion Childress LB (2025)

All of these guys had “a great camp” and most if not all faded quickly into the roster history books.

Whose name will eventually be added as one of the “Ghost stars of training camps past” this year? Who did I forget from the past?

Has Alacron been able to try the cake yet?

 

[pitt33]

Just knew Kaiir "Shutdown" Elam would be your 2025 "ghost".

He sucked in Buffalo.

No way was he going to be good in Dallas. That ‘change of scenery’ is poppycock.

 

[CWR]

I remember how hyped I was about Woody Dantzler and Rico Gathers

Never again will I fall for the hype.

Woody was a stud, but he could NOT stay healthy. At least thats how I remember it. Lol