Camp Report 8/12/14 … + some follow-up

Thanks Coach.

I think you predicted Person would get some snaps at center.

Some follow-up. Ongoing. I will keep adding to it via edit.

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CoachO

[Jones]…His situation has nothing to do with attitude or ability (although some might argue that). He has an injury, and its not related to the lisfranc injury. Other than that, I can’t say how long he may be out, or what his status is.

But its no coincidence. . .that he hasn’t been at Rams Park, nor was he on the sideline at Fridays game.

The PUP list is only for players who haven’t practiced at all during the current training camp. The only option at this point will be to place him on IR, if it gets to that. Either way, it doesn’t matter, unless he is placed on IR, he would still count against the 90 man camp roster. I will add this. His injury is NOT related to the previous foot injury. But since the team has not released any info, I am not going to say more than that.

I am sure they know what is going on, and have been asked to keep it under wraps until the team announces it. I have been told by TWO independent and very reliable sources what is going on, and in both cases have been asked to keep it to myself.

The team does not to have to discuss or release any information about training camp injuries, until the rosters are being finalized. In this case, Jones cannot be placed on the PUP list, as he has already participated in training camp, therefore, unless they place him on IR, as was the case with Brodine, he is still going to count against the 90 man camp roster.

[Could they IR Jones now as a player to bring back later?]…that designation has to be made at the time of placing that player on IR. If they burn that prematurely, and say Laurinaitis is re-injured, but not seriously enough to IR him for the season, they would be screwed.

[That is,]…if they designate someone, and then another player gets injured, who is more valued, or won’t be out for the entire season, they lose the opportunity to choose which player they designate.

If his injury is NOT serious enough to place him on injured reserve, what could they possibly have to gain by announcing his status? Which in this case may be one of the reasons no announcement has been made. They are not required to disclose injuries until the rosters are announced. Not saying this is the case, because I have no idea one way or another, if it applies to Jones or not.

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In the past two days, both Long and Scott Wells have taken virtually all of the 1st unit reps. This includes extended work in the run blocking drill yesterday. [Long]…looks no worse for wear. There is still some timing issues in his sets, but the knee doesn’t look to be an issue at all. I expect that he and Wells both will play some this weekend.

The other thing that needs to be pointed out, Scott Wells wasn’t experiencing any lingering effects from his previous leg injuries. He contracted an illness before training camp, and needed time to get physically stronger. I only point this out, because I know most people think he is just one more injury waiting to happen.

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Laurinaitis most likely will miss at least the next 2 PS games, with a possible return in the final game in Miami. While not considered to have a “serious” ankle sprain, you don’t spend a week in a walking boot for a minor sprain either. As others have said, if this were a regular season game, as he has shown for EVERY game of his career, he would be out there. But there is zero reason to push it with him, or Brockers, for that matter and risk further injury.

Bates is still getting all of his reps with the second unit, Dunbar has assumed the role with the 1st unit @ MLB. with Armstrong filling in at WLB. The guy who seems to be benefiting the most , moving up to 2nd unit reps at this point, is Lawrence Wilson. He is now taking Armstrong place @ WLB with the “2’s”

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McGee has missed the majority of practices the past week, didn’t play in the game Friday, and is just now returning to the practice field. So to really try to gauge a true depth chart is virtually impossible.

That being said, Joyner is getting the majority of his reps at the Nickel spot. . . .there are instances where he stays on the field with McDonald coming off, if the offensive personnel dictates it. For example an extra TE is lined up in the slot. Again, I am not reading a whole lot into this, except to work on Joyner’s cover skills against bigger receivers.

Now that McGee is practicing [with Jenkins out], he took the 1st team reps opposite Johnson, at CB. With Joyner coming in at Nickel.

Gaines is lined up outside in the “regular” sets with the 2nd unit, and slides inside to Nickel when needed. These are the ONLY TWO guys at this point working at the Nickel position, and I don’t see that changing. That includes McLeod NOT taking a single rep at Nickel.

If I were to put a true Depth Chart together, assuming EVERYONE is back and healthy, it would be Jenkins and Johnson, at CB, with Joyner as the Nickel.
2nd Unit would be McGee and Gaines at the CB, with Gaines sliding to the Nickel and at this point, Woodard coming in as the next CB.

[Woodard]…At this point, I would say Gaines has passed him up. I think they [like]..Woodard enough that he will prevent guys like Roberson and Reid from any serious consideration. He has his moments on coverage, at least in practice, but then as was the case last year, and again last week, he seems to make a play come game time.

The thing that concerns me with him, is the same thing that pops out at me regarding the “other guys” below him on the depth chart. They just don’t show up on Special Teams.

[Roberson:]…Of all the UDFA DBs he probably has the best cover skills. But I just don’t think they are in a position to keep a 6th CB if he doesn’t want to tackle, which has prevented him from showing up on ST. And maybe I am wrong in how I look at it, but if you aren’t running with the 1st or 2nd unit on any of the ST, you aren’t in the mix.

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Just FYI, Alex Marvez who was at Rams park yesterday tweeted to NOT expect Jake Long to play this weekend, for what its worth.

Dak wrote:

Nice updates. Thanks.

You’re welcome, and it’s easy. Anyway, I probably extended the last follow-up a couple of times since you posted that.