Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Rams Huddle › CoachO, Camp Report 7/26/14 + follow-ups
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July 26, 2014 at 9:31 pm #2626
znModeratorCoachO
Camp Report 7/26/14
Players not participating: Ethan Westbrooks; Christian Bryant; Sammy Brown; Johnny Millard; Kadeem Jones.
William Hayes, Matt Daniels, Scott Wells and Jake Long participated in the unit drills, but did NOT participate in TEAM DRILLS
Trumaine Johnson left practice after coming up hobbling after a contested ball with Quick in the 7 on 7 drills. Did not return.
Justice Cunningham and Emory Blake were limping noticeably mid-way through practice. WE limited after that.
Kenny Britt seemed to be having cramping issues, was stretching with trainers on sideline, he returned to 11 on 11 drills.
Offensive Line:
1st Unit: Long Saffold Wells Joseph Barksdale (this was how they lined up during the unit drills)
2nd Unit: Van Dyk Person Jones Bond Hooey
3rd Unit: Van Dyk Washington Barnes Morrell Dill
· I need to point out, the Depth Chart above indicates how they lined up during the UNIT DRILLS and Walk thrus.
· Once they got into any team stuff, bump up both the Center and LT spots.
· So during teams activities it looked like:
o Robinson Saffold Jones Joseph Barksdale
o Van Dyk Person Barnes Bond Hooey
· Davin Joseph was a constant at RG with the 1st unit throughout practice.
· It looks like similar to last year’s DAILY rotation between Shelley Smith and Chris Williams, they have plans to alternate Barnes and Jones at Center this year. Will be interesting to keep an eye on.
Defensive Line:
1st Unit: Long Brockers Langford Quinn
2nd Unit: Sam Carrington Conrath Sims
3rd Unit: Sam Donald Harlan K. Brown
· Donald and Conrath both took reps in team drills with 1st and 2nd units.
Linebackers:
1st Unit: Ogletree Laurinatis Dunbar
2nd Unit: Steward Bates Armstrong
3rd Unit: L. Wilson Schiller Sabino
· After hearing the wrath of G. Williams on more than one occasion yesterday, Daren Bates was flying around today. May have been the best LB on the field.
Defensive Backs:
1st Unit: Jenkins Woodard McDonald McLeod
2nd Unit: McGee Gaines Davis Alexander
3rd Unit: Roberson/J. Bryant/Reid A. Cunningham Alexander
· T. Johnson DNP in any of the 11 on 11 team drills… Woodard stepped into his spot with the 1st unit.
· They got some work in the Nickel Package today.
· McGee worked with the 1st unit in the Nickel CB role
· Joyner worked with the 2nd Unit in the Nickel CB role
· Alexander was “called out” by G. Williams in the 7 on 7 drills, on his lack of recognition of developing routes in a particular coverage
Theme of the day: Offense answers back
o Much better tempo, and production vs, the defense. After a less than stellar day yesterday, the offense had much better luck attacking today, utilizing some 3 WR sets, and pushing the ball down field.
Special Teams:
Started practice with drill work on Kickoff Coverage
1st Unit:
Reynolds Reid Armstrong Pead Bates Zuerlein McLeod C. Davis Cunningham McGee McDonald
2nd Unit:
Woodard Bailey Daniels Harkey Steward Zuerlein Ogletree Veltung Hill Alexander T. Johnson
7 0n 7 & 11 on 11 Drills:
Highlights:
Bradford looked much better with his timing. Completions to Bailey Britt and Quick which drew plenty of attention from the crowd
Bailey turned Brandon McGee inside out on a couple of corner routes
Lamarcus Joyner made a nice interception off a pass from S. Hill
EJ Gaines had his 2nd pick in two days, peeling off his man and reacting to an errant throw
Kenny Britt out muscled an underthrown ball from Roberson, adjusting to the ball in the air, and using his size and strength to win the ball… then let the DBs know about it. To the point that Coach Fisher had a brief “conversation” with Mr. Britt.
Lance Kendricks continues to catch everything thrown his way.
Brian Quick had a good day. Catching a nice intermediate pass thrown from Bradford (his best throw of the practice) after coming out of his break vs, Zone coverage
Bailey, Quick and Britt were the best WRs on the field. Everything Austin caught was underneath, although he made a nice leaping catch along the sideline on a ball that most likely would not have been completed if it were live. McLeod made a great break of the ball, and would have laid out Austin if there would have been full contact.
Tre Mason sighting. Made a nice catch and run on a route to the sideline, turned it up and showed his burst.
Zac Stacy had a few break thru runs.
Lowlights:
Defense still having its way vs. the O-Line.
Secondary still having some issues with communication.
Blitz pickup still looks to be a concern.
Still too many dead ball penalties… today Bradford did a good job drawing the D-line offsides with a hard count
CAMP OBSERVATIONS:
· Kenny Britt continues to show is leadership. He is VERY vocal and has shown to be very supportive of his fellow WRs. When someone makes a play, he is usually the first to acknowledge it. He just has the “look” of a NFL WR. Something that has been missing from this roster.
· Aaron Donald took his share of reps with the 1st & 2nd units. Showed flashes, but was not nearly as “unblockable” vs. Joseph
· Janoris Jenkins looks like he is refocused and has made some nice plays in coverage.
· Joyner continues to show why they are so high on him. The kid can PLAY.
· Greg Williams is VOCAL. Day 2 and he can be heard regardless of where he is on the field. “Old School” Football. The good news….. more than often the player who is called out, responds and gets a “great job, that’s what I’m talking about” from GW
· Continue to see them using a SLB (Ogletree) and WLB (Dunbar) when in Base 4-3. Ogletree looks very good in coverage when lined up across from TE. He runs with Kendricks and/or Cook all over the field. This also frees up Dunbar to make more plays in the same role he played in 2012
July 26, 2014 at 11:37 pm #2631znModeratorsome follow-up (open-ended…I will keep adding to it)
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CoachO
Bradford MOVED fine yesterday. Mobility and his knee do not look like an issue in the least. His rustiness yesterday, was more from timing and rhythm issues. and he was much more comfortable today.
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Michael Sam had a very good practice. He was causing issues in the backfield all day. Granted he was working against 2nd & 3rd team RTs (Hooey mostly) but he showed his burst and leverage. He has the ability to drop his hips and turn the corner while engaged, and the taller Hooey couldn’t handle him.
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They need to get one more year out of Wells. With Robinson lining up at LG, it will benefit him greatly to have both Long and Wells alongside.
And without having to worry about picking up the garbge that usually got by C. Williams/S. Smith last year, having the two horses (Saffold and Robinson), he can focus on getting to the second level, which he excels at.
I really don’t want to go into this season with a ROOKIE starting at LG, and what amounts to a ROOKIE starting at Center.
Robinson going up against Quinn, is not going to look good period. I doubt seriously that audition will last much longer. I anticipate them starting to take a look at guys like Hooey, Person, and even Bond out there and let Robinson settle in at LG.
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Reid hasn’t done anything at this point to stand out one way or another. He has been relegated to 3rd team reps both days, and hasn’t flashed good or bad. Other than taking his place with the 1st unit KO team during the Special Teams drills on Sat (he was not on it Friday), he has been relegated to 3rd team reps at CB, sharing reps with the likes of Jarrid Bryant. Thus far he has done nothing to garner any mention.
He obviously looks athletic, but honestly, in team drills, (7 on 7 or 11 on 11) he looks bored and uninterested. If that doesn’t change soon, his days will be numbered.
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Gilbert has gotten considerable work with the 2nd unit and looks good throwing the ball. Arms strength…..Check Accuracy…. Check Mobility…… Check Still has issues with his reads, and getting the ball out on time.
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Givens and Pettis are working together as they continue to rotate pairs of receivers. Bailey and Austin, Britt and Quick, then Givens and Pettis. And to be frank about it, Givens has gotten the least amount of reps. He did have one nice catch on a sideline comeback route, where Hill threw all the way across the field to get the ball to him. But he has not shown much, even as a deep threat as of yet.
The guy who may be the surprise odd man out is Pettis. Think about it. When they brought him in, how many other 6’3 WRs did they have? Not Gibson. Not Amendola. Not Salas. Alexander was a huge ? Now they have Britt, Quick, Cook, Kendricks. So his ability to be a big target was something different.
Now, when you factor in he is entering his 4th year, and isn’t cheap, and someone like a TJ Moe comes along and can give you the quickness and ST value that Pettis doesn’t? Not saying it WILL happen, but its something to think about. Especially if Britt proves to be a keeper.
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Joseph looks pretty good at RG. He squared off with Donald on occasion today, and while no one else has been able to slow him down, Joseph did a nice job on him.
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[Pead]..had more opportunities yesterday. Today Stacy got the lions share of the work, along with Cunningham. He had a few carries today, but they really don’t run the ball alot during these 11 on 11 drills,, about enough to keep the defense somewhat honest.
July 27, 2014 at 2:51 pm #2651znModeratorsome MORE follow-up (open-ended…I will keep adding to it)
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CoachO
on Quick: Again, might just be the most gifted WR on the roster athletically. Size, speed, strength. All there. He is a hard worker, and it has never been said he is a problem. Meaning, he shows up and goes to work. His biggest issue, IMO, is confidence. It’s having the confidence in his own ability to play at this level. And its the coaching staff showing they have the confidence in him to keep putting him out there, even when he makes a mental mistake or drops a pass.
His body language even at training camp if he drops a ball, looks like he is defeated. He seems to be constantly “looking over his shoulder” wondering what Coach Sherman is going to do or say next. This camp so far, that hasn’t been nearly as evident. Again, does that mean the light bulb has come on? Only time will tell.
Having Kenny Britt here has already paid dividends as far as Brian Quick’s confidence. They are paired together, and taking reps together. And if you want to find Brian Quick on the practice field, find Britt and he is ALWAYS within a few feet. And Britt is the most spirited player I have seen on the practice field in the past 4 years of attending these practices. He is always encouraging the others in the WR group, but he seems to be giving Quick extra attention. Is that by design? have the coaches put a bug in his ear? Who knows,, but it seems to be working.
I saw one thing take place in yesterdays 11 on 11 stuff, that I am sure hasn’t taken place before. With Quick lined up wide to the left side, Bradford looked right at him and made a gesture to Quick with his fingers to indicate a sight adjustment. Taking two fingers and putting them to his own eyes while looking at Quick. Immediately after the ball is snapped, Quick runs a quick slant and Bradford hits him in stride for what would have been a 1st down on a 3rd and 5. That tells me he is finally getting it.
Quick isn’t running with the 3’s. HE is part of the group that is working with the 1’s and 2’s. As I mentioned earlier, they are using the WRs in pairs. Austin and Bailey, Britt and Quick, and Givens with Pettis. All 6 of them are getting reps with both the 1st and 2nd units.
When they put the 3rd unit offense on the field, you then see guys like Veltung, Moe, Blake, Franklin. Although there was a play or two where Givens was on the field with Veltung and Franklin.
…the prospect of them lining up Britt, Quick, COOK AND KENDRICKS is something they have done more than a couple of times. Pretty impressive when Brian Quick is the “smallest” guy of the group
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On Wells: When they do any walk thru stuff, or partake in the basic group drills (no contact) he is right there taking his turn with the 1st unit. As is Long.
There may be something more to it, but something tells me this is just Fisher being overly cautious with his veterans, specially the ones coming back from injury. Whether he was/is 100% percent, Fisher has said all along, they plan to limit BOTH Wells and Long’s reps thru the early part of training camp.
I anticipate the rotation at C to continue on a daily basis between Barnes and Jones. And the more work they can get Joseph at RG the better. At least for the next 2 weeks, I don’t envision this changing. Now, if Long and Wells aren’t more involved by mid August, then something will be amiss.
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The biggest thing I like about Gaines, is he just “gets it”. Greg Williams allows his players to “free lance” (for lack of a better term) and he coaches them to read the formation and make certain adjustments. Compared it to what Richard Sherman excels at in Seattle. He is constantly coming off his man, to chase interceptions.
Not that I am comparing Gaines to Sherman at all, but he does have the knack for always being in the right place at the right time. The play he made yesterday was a perfect example of this. He was running with his man down the sideline, but when he saw the ball in the air, he peeled off his man, and made his way back to the ball. It ends up being overthrown, and he makes a diving INT. In the past, we didn’t have the types of players who would make this play. they just stay with their man, and assume they did their job.
And for what its worth….. Lamarcus Joyner is the same sort of player. I think BOTH of these guys will do well in a Greg Williams defense.
As to Tavon. He has been paired with Bailey in the 2 WR sets, and also has taken snaps in the backfield. He made on really athletic catch along the sidelines, leaping over the CB (Jenkins I believe), and cradled the ball from McLeod. I would have to say, if this were “live action”, McLeod would have laid out Austin on this play, as he made a great read on the play, and got there in plenty of time to make a play. Regardless, it did show Austin’s athleticism. Overall, he looks smaller then last year, but if it’s possible, much FASTER.
July 27, 2014 at 3:15 pm #2654
rflParticipanton Quick: Again, might just be the most gifted WR on the roster athletically. Size, speed, strength. All there. He is a hard worker, and it has never been said he is a problem. Meaning, he shows up and goes to work. His biggest issue, IMO, is confidence. It’s having the confidence in his own ability to play at this level. And its the coaching staff showing they have the confidence in him to keep putting him out there, even when he makes a mental mistake or drops a pass.
His body language even at training camp if he drops a ball, looks like he is defeated. He seems to be constantly “looking over his shoulder” wondering what Coach Sherman is going to do or say next. This camp so far, that hasn’t been nearly as evident. Again, does that mean the light bulb has come on? Only time will tell.
Having Kenny Britt here has already paid dividends as far as Brian Quick’s confidence. They are paired together, and taking reps together. And if you want to find Brian Quick on the practice field, find Britt and he is ALWAYS within a few feet. And Britt is the most spirited player I have seen on the practice field in the past 4 years of attending these practices. He is always encouraging the others in the WR group, but he seems to be giving Quick extra attention. Is that by design? have the coaches put a bug in his ear? Who knows,, but it seems to be working.
I saw one thing take place in yesterdays 11 on 11 stuff, that I am sure hasn’t taken place before. With Quick lined up wide to the left side, Bradford looked right at him and made a gesture to Quick with his fingers to indicate a sight adjustment. Taking two fingers and putting them to his own eyes while looking at Quick. Immediately after the ball is snapped, Quick runs a quick slant and Bradford hits him in stride for what would have been a 1st down on a 3rd and 5. That tells me he is finally getting it.
…the prospect of them lining up Britt, Quick, COOK AND KENDRICKS is something they have done more than a couple of times. Pretty impressive when Brian Quick is the “smallest” guy of the group.
This is extremely interesting stuff regarding Quick. It strikes me as being insightful, a highly plausible reading of the situation. The notion of him dropping his head after a mistake rings true, at least diagnostically.
Can a guy like that learn confidence? In the competitive crucible of the NFL?
And what is going on with Britt and Quick? Quick seems to be following him like a scared freshman following a confident senior. And Britt seems to be mentoring him some. What’s in it for a guy like Britt with a history of selfish behavior?
All fascinating.
And of course if Britt played up to his previous ceiling and Quick stepped up to begin fulfilling even half his potential …
Lord, what a difference that would make to our offense!
By virtue of the absurd ...
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