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znModeratorWE know that. But, boy did he love to check down.
This kind of thing is overstated, if you look at the numbers.
I’ve done the numbers a few times, with different measures. For example, I looked at the percentage of total attempts dedicated to passes of 31 yards or more, and then compared his percentage of long pass attempts to a couple of dozen other qbs. He was always at the top of the middle tier.
I also did the same thing and compared his percentage of long pass with the playoff qbs from last year. I include this one below because it’s easy to find.
Then there’s PFF doing attempts of 20 yards or more. In 2012 Bradford was 7th in passing attempts in that range.
What was missing in Bradford’s games was the medium and deep medium passes (11-20 and 21-30 yards). I always thought that was because of the receivers. Sure enough, when they signed Britt and Quick emerged, one big theme in Fisher’s press conferences and in camp reports last summer was that they were correcting this. They were, in Fisher’s words—and he said it often—“pushing the ball downfield.”
BTW it is true that Foles threw long a high percentage of the time, both in 2013 and 2014. Problem is, his accuracy fell off in 2014 on long passes. In fact when it came to that, PFF ranked him 26th out of 38 in the league.
Back to Bradford and the long pass. As I said there are several ways to do this, but one is to compare his 2012 numbers to the 12 playoff qbs from 2014.
Some set-up. I did this a while back—what I did here was compare the qbs of the 12 2014 playoff teams (with one substitution) to Bradford 2012. The substitution is simple–rather than count Arizona’s Lindley, which is kind of tilting the field a bit, I subbed in Brees. So really it’s 11 of the 2014 playoff qbs, + Brees. I compare them to Bradford in 2012 because that was his last full season.
Using espn splits, I look at 2 things per qb. First, how many attempts of 31 yards or more as a percentage of total attempts. 2nd, how many attempts of 41 yards or more as a percentage of total attempts. As a rule, I round numbers up.
PASSES OF 31+ YARDS, PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL ATTEMPTS
Bradford 2012: 4.9%
Playoff qbs 2014 – Lindley/+ Brees:
Newton 6.7% (with a caveat–he only hit on 4 of 30)
Romo 5.7%
Flacco 5.4%
Roethlisberger 5%
Stafford 4.5%
Luck 4.3%
Manning 4%
Wilson 3.7%
Rodgers 3.5%
Dalton 3.4%
Brees 3%
Brady 2.7%Bradford: less than Newton, Romo, Flacco, & Roethlisberger. More than Stafford, Luck, Manning, Wilson, Rodgers, Dalton, Brees, & Brady.
PASSES OF 41+ YARDS, PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL ATTEMPTS
Bradford 2012: 1.3%
Playoff qbs 2014 – Lindley/+ Brees:
Roethlisberger 2.1%
Stafford 2%
Flacco 1.9%
Newton 1.8%
Romo 1.6%
Brady 1.3%
Wilson 1.3%
Dalton 1.2%
Brees 1%
Rodgers 0.96%
Luck 0.6%
Manning 0.3%Bradford: less than Roethlisberger, Stafford, Flacco, Newton, & Romo. Same as Brady & Wilson. More than Dalton, Brees, Rodgers, Luck, and Manning.
One note. I think that Bradford did hold back on long passes if he thought they weren’t there, BUT as a rule that changed in 4th quarter game winning drive and/or comeback situations. Then he just threw. That led me to believe that his coaches said, play it safe until it’s time to cut loose.
However, even given that, he was never lower than average or even just average when it comes to attempting long passes. He was never top of the league but he was always just below that tier.
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znModeratorwe’re going to be very physical and very fast with a high tempo offense and a fly around defense.
My guess? A high tempo offense means quick ball control passing.
Which statistically anyway Foles is good at.
But it’s the Fisher Rams so IMO what they aim to do is execute ball control passing and the running game well enough to set up play action and other designed big plays.
This isn’t exactly accurate in how I am using the terms, but it’s 85% WCO and then 15% big play Coryell.
Except (and now my sarcasm bubbles up) if they execute it well and win games, they won’t call Foles “the checkdown king.”
znModeratorFans and experts alike blamed Schottenheimer for failing to utilize Austin correctly, but there is no evidence that Tavon can actually get separation against NFL defenses.
Did Rams quarterbacks fail to spot him because he is short? Or as it the fact he was seldom open?
That’s my view too.
My view was always this. That Schott used Austin the ways Austin actually was useable.
If Cigz is going to get more from Austin, Austin has to be able to DO more.
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znModeratorTipsheet: This must be Tavon Time for Rams
Jeff Gordon
Brian Schottenheimer can’t take the fall for Tavon Austin any more. The former Rams offensive coordinator is at the University of Georgia now, facing a whole different sort of professional pressure.
Frank Cignetti moved over to the Rams hot seat for this season and made some changes in the run-oriented attack. Nick Foles arrived to play quarterback, bringing a long arm and more height to the position.
Will these changes spur a breakout season from Austin? SI.com columnist Don Banks explored that topic:
If Nick Foles really is the answer at quarterback for the Rams this season, then the questions about Tavon Austin’s production might finally cease. See how that works? Shore up the Rams’ long-standing issues at the game’s most critical position, and the ripple effect promises to lead in a lot of different positive directions.
That’s the plan at least in St. Louis, where arguably no one stands to benefit more from Foles’s arrival than Austin, the undersized receiver-return specialist whose play has yet to live up to the lofty expectations that came with the Rams trading up to select him eighth overall in the 2013 draft, making him the first receiver taken.
Austin hears the steady background noise as he enters his pivotal third NFL season. He knows it’s time to show more than flashes of the tantalizing and versatile skill set that made him a top 10 pick. But he also realizes his first two years in the NFL featured four different Rams quarterbacks throwing to him, and 25 of those 32 games were started by the likes of career backups Kellen Clemens (nine), Shaun Hill (eight) and Austin Davis (eight). Sam Bradford, the Rams’ oft-injured franchise passer, played just seven games with Austin, losing most of the past two years to season-ending ACL tears. That most definitely was not the plan.
But enter Foles, the former Eagles starter who was traded to St. Louis in exchange for Bradford, and add in the elevation of Rams quarterbacks coach Frank Cignetti to offensive coordinator in place of the departed Brian Schottenheimer, and there’s hope that a new quarterback and new play-caller will translate to a dramatically new level of playmaking impact by Austin. Sounds like a plausible preseason storyline, but only time will tell if it comes to pass.
Yes, well, because it’s up to Austin to prove he really is an impact player. Thus far he has been an eighth-overall pick playing like a third- or fourth-round selection.
Fans and experts alike blamed Schottenheimer for failing to utilize Austin correctly, but there is no evidence that Tavon can actually get separation against NFL defenses.
Did Rams quarterbacks fail to spot him because he is short? Or as it the fact he was seldom open?
Much of his activity to this point has come on swing passes, sweeps, slant passes, runs up the middle and the occasional ill-advised fade pass toward the end zone corner. He took a step back in Year 2, struggling to do what he is supposed to do best — make defenders miss in the open field.
And what about his route-running? The transition from college to the pro game these days can be very hard for receivers not trained to run precise NFL-style patterns.
So we’ll see about Austin. He appears to be healthy again, back to full speed. He is working hard and saying all the right things in his interviews.
There are no excuses now. It’s time to produce.
MYSTERIES OF THE UNIVERSE
Questions to ponder while wondering how much gas is left in the Cardinal bullpen for today’s game:
Are you surprised that Bill Belichick has even heard of Snoop Dogg?
Should NFL players issue spoiler alerts while discussing “Game of Thrones” in their locker room?
What’s more entertaining than dog surfing?
WHAT OTHERS ARE WRITING
Here are sports takes from some of our favorite scribes:
Bill Barnwell, ESPN.com: “The 2014 Cardinals were an 11-5 team that outscored their opposition by a mere 11 points. There have been 88 other 11-5 teams since the league went to the 16-game schedule, and 86 of those 88 teams posted a better point differential than these Cardinals. Head coach Bruce Arians is very familiar with one of those two other teams, since he was at the helm for most of its stunning season as the interim head coach of the 2012 Colts. They kept their 11-win stretch up despite a variety of numerical indicators suggesting they would decline. The other example, the 2004 Falcons, dropped off from 11-5 to 8-8 the following year. Different paths! The 11-point differential suggests the Cardinals were basically about average. The Pythagorean expectation has them playing at the level of an 8.3-win team last season. That gap between their actual win total and their expected win total, 2.7 wins, is the largest in football. No other team had a gap of two wins or more, with the Bengals in second at 1.9 wins.”
Mike Tanier, Bleacher Report: “The Eagles’ offseason was so tumultuous that some of the stranger details were easy to forget. Frank Gore agreed to contract terms then backed away to sign with the Colts instead. (DeMarco) Murray and Ryan Mathews arrived at Eagles headquarters at the same time to apply for the same job; both were hired. Also, there were nonstop rumors about a Marcus Mariota trade. And then (Tim) Tebow. The final haul was heavy on players coming off major injuries (Sam Bradford, Kiko Alonso), players with hefty price tags (Bradford, Murray, Byron Maxwell), (Chip) Kelly’s former Oregon players (Alonso, Walter Thurmond), major risks and baffling questions. The Eagles’ offseason transactions flew in the face of both conventional wisdom and the football management survival instinct. A new coach on a rebuilding team might swap quarterbacks, running backs, and much more to jump-start his regime. But coaches of 10-win teams are hardwired to keep the team intact for 10 more wins so everyone stays employed. Gamble big and lose big, and the house goes on the market, the kids get pulled out of school, and everyone’s careers go (at best) sideways.”
MEGAPHONE
“Franchise quarterbacks hit the free-agent market? Name one. Unless they have an injury. So it’s going to be an onus on our scouting staff to find a guy in the lower first round, second or third round. We accept that challenge. It’s where we are, and it’s been good that we have enough talent around that we’re in that situation, but it’s not an easy answer. There isn’t.”
Buffalo Bills GM Doug Whaley, to WGR radio
znModeratorSome videos, looking at the center position
What do you take from that?
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znModeratorRams’ Maurice Alexander impressing in camp
Nate Latsch
ST. LOUIS — Maurice Alexander came to Rams training camp a year ago as a fourth-round pick with a compelling story, but failed to make much of an impact as a rookie. Now, the safety impressing the coaching staff with his progress going into his second season.
For Alexander, being healthy has made a world of difference between his rookie season and his second training camp. He feels good now, maybe better than he’s felt since participating in his first organized team activities a year ago.
“It’s a big difference when you’re injured and when you’re not injured,” Alexander said. “We did a good job rehabbing in the offseason. I’ve been here the whole time. I’m from here, so I just stayed here and (worked hard). I feel good. I haven’t been 100 (percent) yet. I’m about 95 percent. I’ve been feeling good.”
The 24-year-old said his injury issues started during OTAs last year.
He would end up having surgeries to fix the meniscus in both of his knees before he would really feel better.
“It started with the left one, OTAs,” Alexander said. “Then I got to training camp, preseason, and I got my right one hit. Docs told me I was going to need surgery one of these days. They could tell there was loose cartilage in there.”
The 6-foot-1 safety, who said he now weighs 212 pounds after weighing in at the 2014 Combine at 220 pounds, said his focus was affected by the injuries throughout his rookie campaign.
“Last year I was more focused on my injuries,” Alexander said. “It’s hard to be injured and then try to think about plays and this and that. It was tough. I was trying my hardest to think last year but my mind would go right back to my leg, if I make this cut I’m going to hurt something, if I make this cut I’m going to hurt something. So this year I’m just focused directly on ball.”
The Eureka (Mo.) High School product’s increased focus has led to him impressing the coaching staff during OTAs and now in training camp. It’s still early in camp, but Alexander has been getting snaps working with the starting defense in place of Rodney McLeod, T.J. McDonald and Mark Barron at times.
No, that doesn’t mean the second-year player is going to steal the spot of one of those veteran safeties. But it does show how the coaching staff regards the youngster at this point.
Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams lauded Alexander during OTAs.
“If you want to talk about a guy that’s drastically different than last year, it’s Maurice,’’ Williams said. “He could hardly speak what we’re doing last year. He’d only played one season in college as a DB and now he’s in the NFL as a DB. Holy Cow, he was lost, but we knew he was talented. He’s had a great spring because he’s gotten more reps — next man up — because T.J. and Mark haven’t had as many.”
Rams coach Jeff Fisher called Alexander a “tremendous surprise” early in training camp when he was asked about returning all 11 starters from a year ago.
“We got the 11 (returning starters), but we also got some great competition at the backup spots, so we’ve got some depth,” Fisher said. “So, when you look at Maurice, for example, who’s just a tremendous surprise. You’re OK with him playing safety if you have a problem. That gives us a comfort level.”
Fisher was asked a few days later what, exactly, has made the youngster so impressive in his second training camp.
“You know he is playing really fast right now and that implies that he knows what to do,” the veteran coach said. “I mean he’s sure, he’s decisive. He makes good decisions. He is reacting. He’s very athletic and he’s playing fast. He’s going to make a lot of plays for us.”
Alexander was considered a bit of a project a year ago when the Rams selected him in the fourth round (No. 110 overall) out of Utah State.
He was a defensive lineman and linebacker in high school and played linebacker in college — he spent two years at Arizona Western College before Utah State — before later switching to safety.
He also got into trouble at Utah State. He was kicked off the team and ended up in jail after a fight with a friend and teammate. It was during Alexander’s time away from his college team, back in 2012, that he worked as a janitor at the Edward Jones Dome and cleaned up after Rams games.
It was then that Alexander could only dream of one day playing for the Rams … and it was only a dream at that point.
That’s also why he said he can’t be too disappointed by his rookie season, in which he appeared in just nine games and recorded seven special teams tackles.
“I dealt with way worse adversity than that,” Alexander said. “I always stay positive in everything I do. It’s hard to bring me down. I’m always positive.”
And now he’s making a positive impression on the coaching staff after working hard to bounce back from the injuries and learn the playbook.
“The coaching staff makes it very easy for me,” he said. “We’ve got great coaches. We’ve got Dennard (Wilson). We’ve got Brandon (Fisher). We’ve got Gregg (Williams), Chuck (Cecil), all those guys. They just make it easy. Once you’ve got coaches like that, they make it more simple.”
So far in training camp, it’s been like night and day from a year ago.
“It comes and goes,” Alexander said. “It’s very fast. I’m taking advantage of every moment.”
August 6, 2015 at 12:35 am in reply to: Bobby Wagner: "Can't keep everyone" … Seattle & the cap #28166znModeratorThe Seahawks Superstar Roster Strategy
http://overthecap.com/the-seahawks-superstar-roster-strategy/
It was a big week for the Seahawks who signed quarterback Russell Wilson to a big contract extension and then locked up linebacker Bobby Wagner to a top market contract. The moves, while expected, have clearly defined the Seahawks strategy of building a star laden roster at certain positions, while sacrificing the second tier players and instead relying on rookies and lower payscale “value” players to make up the roster. While they are not the only team to take this approach (the Packers were a team I specifically discussed in my marginal value analysis at the top of the roster) the Seahawks are now going to blow them, and anyone else, in the NFL away in this regard. So let’s take a quick look at the Seahawks heavy investment in their top talent.
Remember when we talk about the marginal value (or marginal cost) in a player we are looking at their cost above the average for their position, broken down by tier (i.e. 2nd highest paid corner is CB2, 2nd highest paid S is S2, or in almost all cases SS, etc…). These costs represent the additional value that they believe they are receiving from a player by signing him to an above average contract. Here are the top marginal value players on the Seahawks roster:
Player Position APY Marginal Value APY Rank
Russell Wilson QB $21,900,000 $9,100,000 2
Marshawn Lynch RB $12,000,000 $7,575,595 2
Richard Sherman CB $14,000,000 $5,659,447 3
Bobby Wagner ILB $10,750,000 $5,463,934 1
Kam Chancellor SS $7,000,502 $5,183,546 1
Jimmy Graham TE $10,000,000 $5,093,762 1
Cliff Avril DE2 $7,125,000 $4,525,661 2
Earl Thomas FS $10,000,000 $4,392,445 1
Cary Williams CB2 $6,000,000 $3,072,617 5
KJ Wright 43OLB $6,750,000 $2,582,386 1
Russell Okung LT $8,083,333 $2,096,979 10
Total 11 $113,608,835 $54,746,372 2.6These are massive numbers. No team in the NFL comes close to competing on this scale. $113.6 million per year tied up in who the Seahawks perceive as the 11 most valuable additions to their team. While salary cap costs can certainly be manipulated, the cost on an annual basis represents about 80% of the current salary cap limit of $143.28 million.
The average rank of these players at their sub-position is 2.6, and if we pull Okung, who is on a rookie contract, out of the mix its 1.9. The cost over average invested in these players is nearly $55 million. These are superstars and this is a superstar roster, the likes of which has likely not been seen since the earliest days of the salary cap when the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, and to a lesser extent, Denver Broncos, were finding ways to keep star filled teams together. I’d imagine the modern team that would most resemble this grouping is the Indianapolis Colts in the heyday of Manning, Harrison, and James, but they never had this kind of across the board investment.
To put these numbers in perspective the top 11 marginal valued players on the Packers, who are the other big spender, cost $96 million in APY at $42.5 million in marginal value. The Cowboys are at $95/31 and the Dolphins at $88/$40. In their division the ranks are the Cardinals at $88/$26, Rams at $65/$30, and stripped down 49ers at $72/$24. Quite frankly nobody is close to the Seahawks investment in star players.
Seattle should make for a very interesting case study moving forward in the approach to roster building in the NFL. Many people feel they are destined for salary cap trouble. I’m not one of those people. As long as they continue to prioritize and make the tough call on the second and third tier talents they should be fine. They gain benefits right now by essentially spending nothing at receiver and along the offensive line. Defensive tackle will likely be headed there too. That’s the tradeoff. Rookies, UDFAs, bargain basement veteran contracts.
Seattle has also benefitted greatly, which people are not taking into account with many of these contracts, from focusing on early extensions for a talent pool that has almost all far exceeded their draft grade. By sticking with four year extensions the team is limiting the bonus money they need to pay their talent while still gaining the five year proration benefit by hitting in the players walk year. With players like Wilson and Sherman working from such low base salaries compared to a Cam Newton or Patrick Peterson, the true APY for cap accounting purposes is far lower than the stated annual value. Even a contract like Jimmy Grahams has some benefit in that the Saints at some of the cost in his one year in New Orleans. The four year program allows the team to turn their roster over every three years with limited dead money as they pick and choose who to keep. That may not be the case with longer term deals.
For Seattle to have success with this program it is going to rely on a few things. First and foremost is no restructures, and specifically funny business with void years. They have to honor their initial valuation of these players and not compromise themselves by bringing cap figures down this season for future cap flexibility. If it means cutting the likes of Tony McDaniel or Brandon Mebane you cut them. Once they begin the restructure process that benefit of the low cap APY vanishes for all but one season of the contract.
Secondly they have to resist the urge to go into free agency and cut any monster contracts. Four year extensions with one cheap rookie year are the structures that the team needs to allow this kind of investment in so few players to work from a salary cap standpoint. Once you move into traditional five year, monster contracts you blow up the system. Trades are ok as long as they are of the Graham variety where a salary has already been paid that is larger than the contract APY and is a somewhat proven player. You don’t want to go the Percy Harvin expensive gamble route where you are cutting the big bonus check. Mid tier value players like a Michael Bennett or Cliff Avril are also fine to consider.
Continue to draft well but stay out of the top 10 of the draft. Injuries happen. Teams don’t fire sometimes. Everyone ends up in the top 10 at some point and for as crazy as it sounds Seattle could end up this year if the wrong guys got hurt. But those top picks carry a bigger price. The option year salary for such players can be massive compared to the salaries earned by those drafted 11-32. Those option years just increase the value of the deal and can cause a team to over-guarantee a contract and overextend themselves in both years and signing bonus money. While there is no denying the talent that is at the top (and it is cheap for a few years), long term this type of strategy is going to pay off with the quantity over quality approach. If you land in the top 10 by all means turn that into 3 picks through the draft.
So we’ll see how things work out for Seattle. It’s a unique vision, maybe one brought on by circumstance and good fortune as much as planning, but I’ll be curious to see if they can sustain this quality of roster for the next three years while still driving performance on the field.
znModeratorMicheal Young joined Kevin Wheeler to talk about some the media’s early predictions for the Rams, and he gave his thoughts on Frank Cignetti’s new system and some of the other storylines in Earth City.
I see out there that this one gets a lot of praise.
I thought it was a good listen.
Here’s a detail:
***
RangerRam
[Young talks] about foles’ not looking that great–holding ball . . . .
but looked good in 2 minute . . . .good listen
***
Young discusses Foles at about 7:25 in.
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August 5, 2015 at 10:27 pm in reply to: vid links: including Banks and Wyche from Rams camp, and more #28164znModeratorRamsCamp Day 5 Hype Highlights
Watch the best highlights from the first day of pads at Training Camp.
znModeratorRams think Tavon Austin can have a “breakout year”
josh Alper
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/08/05/rams-think-tavon-austin-can-have-a-breakout-year/
Last year’s rookie class of wide receivers was as good or better than any the league has seen, but the first receiver taken in the 2013 draft hasn’t had the same kind of success.
Tavon Austin has 71 catches for 660 yards through his first two seasons with the Rams, but the team doesn’t think Austin’s been wholly responsible for his low production. Sam Bradford’s torn ACLs have left the Rams with backup quarterbacks for most of Austin’s time, something the team feels has stifled their creativity on offense as a whole.
Nick Foles is in town now and Austin told Don Banks of SI.com that he thinks they’ll “make some plays” this year. Coach Jeff Fisher believes Foles’s height (he’s 6’5″) will help Austin tap into what the team hasn’t been able to access thus far.
“This has nothing to do with Tavon,” Fisher said. “It’s not a reflection on what he’s done. Tavon has done everything he possibly can. He’s in great shape, and he’s highly talented and a passionate teammate. This has been more about the circumstances of our situation. This potentially could be a breakout year for him. Because he’s got the potential to win outside and inside.”
General Manager Les Snead agrees with Fisher and compares Austin to a thoroughbred “ready to break” from the gates. The Rams offense needs that kind of threat and Austin needs to make that break to prove his quiet first two years have been a result of circumstances.
znModeratorJeff Fisher: Tavon Austin poised for ‘breakout year’
By Chris Wesseling
After two years as an afterthought in the Rams’ offense, former No. 8 overall pick Tavon Austin is being prepped for a featured role in 2015.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that his production level should increase,” coach Jeff Fisher said this week, via SI.com’s Don Banks.
The party line is that Nick Foles’ height (6-foot-5) will allow him to quickly find Austin in crowded spaces after a litany of backup quarterbacks failed to get him the ball in previous seasons.
“This has nothing to do with Tavon. It’s not a reflection on what he’s done,” Fisher added. “Tavon has done everything he possibly can. He’s in great shape, and he’s highly talented and a passionate teammate. This has been more about the circumstances of our situation. This potentially could be a breakout year for him. Because he’s got the potential to win outside and inside.”
That explanation ignores the fact that Austin initially struggled to master the Rams’ playbook, has played just 50 percent of the snaps, hasn’t flashed the power to break arm tackles and was ill-suited for Brian Schottenheimer’s paint-by-numbers offense.
The Rams believe they have solutions to all of those issues.
New coordinator Frank Cignetti noted in June that Austin has been better in the classroom, resulting in improved route running. Austin has also added muscle in an effort to power through tackles after the catch.
There’s optimism in St. Louis, per Banks, that Cignetti has a better idea of how to get the ball to Austin in space, allowing the running back/receiver hybrid to unleash his speed and elusiveness.
General manager Les Snead attributes Austin’s disappointing production thus far to an offense that was necessarily scaled back to compensate for the loss of Sam Bradford.
“When you’re playing your backup quarterback, you get into the mode of being less willing to be really creative and you’re just trying to figure out, ‘How are we going to win the game?'” Snead explained. “So all those storms, all the adversity probably limited his production. Is that the whole story? No. I mean, he’s got to do his part.”
For all of the preseason hope, the Rams’ rebuilt offensive line is untested and Foles’ subpar ball placement inside the numbers cost him his job in Philadelphia.
If Austin is going to make good on Fisher’s prediction of a breakout year, he has to first convince Cignetti to showcase the alleged difference-making talent that inspired the Rams to surrender four draft picks for his rights.
znModerator12intheBox
SOME FOLLOW-UPI finally understood what others meant when they talked about GZ hitting the guy in the box. The coaches have these platforms that they stand on that elevate like 40 yards off the ground for an arial look. They have one of these behind the goal post – and while I didn’t see Greg hit the guy – it’s clear that he would need to be aiming for him – the guy is up there.
A guy I didn’t touch on much was Tree. As a caveat, Tree was one of my guys pre draft so I look at him with rose colored glasses. He didn’t flash a ton in this practice to me – but what I did notice is his coverage – especially on the tight ends in the flats – he was nice and physical off the line with them and stuck with them thru the sidelines on the skeleton drills I watched.
As for D Rodriguez, I think the PS is in his future. Yeah, he is catching the ball out there but he is going up against 2s and mostly 3s when he does.
All in all, I was surprised how quiet practice was. Gregg Williams was animated early in practice but even he quieted down. Most of that is probably just a distance from the action thing. Hopefully, they will do more work on the near field next time. I mentioned a few skirmishes and they were just that. About 4-5 seconds of pushing for the worst of them – all followed by smiles – which I took to be a decent sign of discipline.
Chris Long was a lot like JL – just hustling from drill to drill. I didn’t see him flash much – not sure if was full go for practice or not – but he was setting a good practice tone as a leader.
Every now and then I would catch a ball rocketing into the air and it would be Hekker just launching one. It’s even more impressive in person than it is on TV.
For a team that wants to run the ball, they sure threw a lot in practice. Id say it was 65/35 pass/run at the best. May have been the focus of this practice – but that’s about what I saw.
It was impossible to see what kind of holes the O line was putting together in the run game – a few runs got stuffed early and a few broke free – but they weren’t tackling all the way to the ground and Mason was playing well thru the whistle which gave the impression that some runs were going longer than they really would have. Several of the deep passes clearly would have been sacks as well if the bullets were live.
101 ESPN was reporting live and interviewed Aaron Donald after the practice – he is a thick man and he was very patient with the fans to sign, take pictures, etc – even though it wasn’t D Line autograph day.
Keep in mind with these “reports” that luck plays a big part in what I see. There are like 6 different drills going on at a time, so when I see a negative or a positive – it’s just a chance thing. Extremely small sample sizes for my impressions on all of these guys.
Thursday’s focus is going to be O line for me on offense and probably DBs on defense – assuming I can see a bit better.
znModeratorRams in no hurry to choose a starting center
Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/19996/rams-in-no-rush-to-choose-a-starting-center
EARTH CITY, Mo. –There’s an argument to be made that the sooner the St. Louis Rams decide on a starting center, the better off their young offensive line will be in 2015.
The theory goes that having a group of five take all of the repetitions together allows for better communication, and thus, better production. It’s a theory that has plenty of merit.
But Rams coach Jeff Fisher has made it clear he has no intention of rushing into a decision as he tries to determine who is the best option from a group that includes Barrett Jones, Tim Barnes and Demetrius Rhaney.
“I’m not going to put a date on it or a deadline on it,” Fisher said. “We’re going to let them do it. I think it’s important when you’re in those situations that you don’t overwork any of them. We’re going to rotate them and give them the reps. It’s hard enough nowadays to get the reps, but you know, when we feel comfortable with it and make a decision, we’ll let you know. But I’m not going to say it’s Week 3 in preseason or Week 4 or whatever.
“You know you want to get it done as quickly as you can, but we have three guys that are capable, two that have played. You know Tim has played more than Barrett. Barrett played a solid 24-28 plays against Kansas City but Demetrius has a couple of preseason games under his belt from last year. So we’ll just see.”
Seeing will be a much easier task now that the Rams can practice in full pads. The team held its first fully padded, full-squad workout on Tuesday and has Wednesday off before getting back into more padded practices, including a full-team scrimmage set for Friday night.
Nowhere is the use of pads more important than on the offensive line, where a group that projects as the youngest in the league is trying to catch up to one of the most talented defensive lines in the league. Pads are supposed to be the great equalizer but in this case, they might just offer a glimmer of hope.
The addition of pads will also give offensive line coach Paul Boudreau and the rest of the staff a chance to get a good evaluation of the three competitors at center. To this point, the rotation has remained the same as it was in the spring when Barnes took the first reps with the first team, then Jones then Rhaney. For whatever it’s worth (not much at this point), the Rams listed Jones as the projected starter on their pre-camp release.
But none of that will matter as much as playing well and proving capable of handling all the responsibilities that go with the job over the next few weeks. It’s entirely possible the competition will continue into preseason games so the Rams can get a full evaluation of each player before making a decision.
When a choice is clear, Fisher will make it knowing exactly what he’s looking for in his starting center.
“Well, you know, obviously it’s getting everybody lined up and making the ID calls and making the subtle adjustments on the line of scrimmage, communicating with the quarterback,” Fisher said. “We have two snaps. We have the shotgun snap and we have the snap under center that are vitally important. They have to be … you know, often times that’s taken for granted. The exchange thing is very, very important. Then it’s the ability to understand, recognize what they’re doing and make the calls and hang in there in a one-on-one situation. Their ability to help, that’s the most important thing. You know when you’re playing different configurations of fronts, your center is going to be quick to go help at some plays. He needs to be right when he goes to help.”
znModeratorGore on Luck: ‘He runs the huddle. I never had that’
By Kevin Patra
During his 10-year run with the San Francisco 49ers, Frank Gore was part of teams that went to a Super Bowl and three consecutive NFC Championship games.
The running back told NFL Media’s Nate Burleson on Tuesday that his new Indianapolis Colts team could be the best collection of offensive talent he’s played with, and he specifically singled out Andrew Luck.
“I think if we keep working and keep going and get that gelled, I think by far it can,” Gore said. “Especially with No. 12, man. I’m not knocking my other quarterbacks, I respect them other guys, but being around this guy a couple months, he’s a different breed. He’s smart. He makes me feel young. He runs the huddle. I never had that.”
During his stint with the 49ers, Gore played with quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick, Alex Smith and Shaun Hill, among others. None came close to possessing Luck’s talent and poise.
Playing with a superstar quarterback should allow Gore more room to run. As Around The NFL’s Chris Wesseling broke down last month, Gore, even at 32, displayed pop down the stretch last season, carrying 61 times for 302 yards in his final two games in San Francisco.
The veteran running back believes he has plenty left in the tank. He could join Barry Sanders with 10-plus consecutive seasons averaging 4-plus yards per carry.
“I feel that I have to prove something to my team,” he said. “What I done in San Francisco, that’s done. That’s in the past.”
With Luck, Gore, T.Y. Hilton, Andre Johnson, Donte Moncrief and Phillip Dorsett, the Colts are poised to battle the Packers and Steelers for the NFL’s top offense in 2015.
August 5, 2015 at 1:31 pm in reply to: vid links: including Banks and Wyche from Rams camp, and more #28140znModeratorSteve Wyche: Todd Gurley restricted to individual drills
NFL Media’s Steve Wyche reports on the status of St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley and gives the latest updates of what he’s been doing during practice.August 5, 2015 at 1:06 pm in reply to: vid links: including Banks and Wyche from Rams camp, and more #28138znModeratorRams Training Camp: Fisher, Saffold & Mason
This Rams Training Camp features head coach Jeff Fisher talking about his young offensive line. Roger Saffold also comments on all of the rookies that will contribute to the 2-15 Rams O-line. Tre Mason talks about the competition at running back, especially when rookie first round pick Todd Gurley is completed cleared to participate after knee surgery last season while playing at the University of Georgia.
http://fox2now.com/2015/08/04/rams-training-camp-fisher-saffold-mason/
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Rams Training Camp: Foles, Davis and Barnes
Rams Training Camp rolls on. In this report, new quarterback Nick Foles says he leaves his contract up to his agent, although he is enjoying playing for the Rams already, before his first ever game with his new team. Sports Director Martin Kilcoyne, also talked about the competition for the backup quarterback spot, which includes last year’s main quarterback, Austin Davis. Former Mizzou center Tim Barnes is in competition for the starting spot at center. He talks about his hopes to finally be a starter in the NFL.
http://fox2now.com/2015/08/04/rams-training-camp-foles-davis-and-barnes/
August 5, 2015 at 9:14 am in reply to: piling up the "training camp preview" articles, starting with Prisco #28134znModeratorMcDonald and McCloud are a grossly underrated tandem at safety
“McCloud” [sic]
Yes the Rams secondary consists of Gerkins, Jensyn, McDonCorleone, and McCloud. There’s also Barren and Jointier. Ganes is out with an injury, so they signed Read.
As a unit, they are grotesquely, if not sublimely, underappreciated. That kind of massive neglect will end if they learn to play well as a unit.
.
August 5, 2015 at 9:08 am in reply to: piling up the "training camp preview" articles, starting with Prisco #28133znModerator2015 NFL Predictions: NFC West in-depth preview
by Aryan von Eicken
tp://nflspinzone.com/2015/08/03/2015-nfl-predictions-nfc-west-depth-preview/4/
St. Louis Rams:
Key Additions: QB Nick Foles, DT Nick Fairley, OLB Akeem Ayers, RB Todd Gurley, T Rob Havenstein
The Rams needed a change at QB, as they simply didn’t want to deal with the constant injuries to Bradford. Statistically Foles will not be as good as he was in Philly, but I think they made a good trade here and got a solid QB. Fairley was a low risk signing and will give the Rams three good DT’s.
Ayers looked like he might already wash out of the league before getting traded to the Patriots, but then he blossomed. He should be a solid addition to this great defense. Gurley has the potential to be a star if he can get back into his pre-injury shape. Havenstein was a very good right tackle in college and that should transfer to the pro level and he will start right away and help the decimated line.
Key Losses: QB Sam Bradford,T Mike Person, T Joe Barksdale, T Jake Long, G Davin Joseph DE Kendall Langford
Bradford was driving the Rams management crazy with his injuries, so they shipped him out and they are happy to be rid of him, though when healthy he could be a good QB. The Rams seemingly wanted to revamp their offensive line. Letting Long go was a no brainer, especially after his season ending injury last year, as he was simply owed to much.
Barksdale is a solid tackle, but the Rams seem satisfied with who they have. Person isn’t very good as he showed when he started the entire 2014 season. Joseph also started the entire 2014 season, but the Rams were not satisfied either. Langford is a good player, but the Rams are so stacked on the defensive line, that he was not needed.
Verdict:
The Rams offense will be the key to their season this year. Nick Foles is a good quarterback, but nobody who can put a team on his shoulders and lead them. That role must go to the running game which will feature Gurley and Mason. That will be a nasty combination and should have a lot of success, if the line can play at least decently.
Foles main targets will be Britt, Austin,Quick, Bailey and Cook. All four WR’s are very decent, but won’t blow you away and Cook is an above average tight end who should help Foles. The line will be key for the success and the pressure will be on the rookie RG and RT. If they can play well, the line will be good and Rams offense will have some success.
This defense is great. If Long can return from injury as good as he was prior, the Rams defensive line is the best in the NFL. Loaded with four first round picks, Long, Donald,Brockers and Quinn will be an unstoppable force, both in stopping the run and the pass. Ogletree and Laurinaitis are both great linebackers.
Ayers is clearly the worst player on this front seven, but that is no shame when you see the quality of players he is surrounded by. The secondary is their weak spot, but it isn’t all too bad. Gaines was surprisingly good last year and if he can repeat that, him and Jenkins will be a solid duo. McLeod and McDonald are also solid safeties which results in a decent secondary too complete a very good defense.
Prediction:
Best Case Record: 12-4
Worst Case Record: 8-8
Prediction: 11-5
Team’s Offensive MVP: T Greg Robinson
Team’s Defensive MVP: DT Aaron Donald
Rookie Standout: T Rob Havenstein
My prediction obviously displays my belief in the Rams this year. I think they have the talent to really have a great year. A lot of that will depend on the passing game, but if that can come through, they will be on the road to success. Best case scenario is that they get through the division with a 5-1 or 4-2 record and just lose a few games against both North divisions.
Worst case scenario is that the Rams continue their unpredictable play in which they seem to be able to beat any team, but they can also lose to most teams too. In that case the offense will really disappoint and the secondary will be very inconsistent and struggle at times.
And then there’s this:
St. Louis Rams Defensive Stat Predictions
by Curt Popejoy
There aren’t many teams in the league that can boast the type of individual talent on defense that the St. Louis Rams can. They Rams project to have nine of their 11 starters on defense being drafted in the first three rounds, including five first-round picks. With all that talent, they should be able to really do some damage.
The stars of this show are the defensive linemen. All four starters, and the first guy off the bench area all former first-round choices and can create beautiful havoc up front. The Rams have two exceptional linebackers, and a pair of defensive backs poised for greatness. Let’s take a shot at some predictions for these defensive superstars.
Defensive Line
Chris Long, defensive end: 61 total tackles, 9.5 sacks
Michael Brockers, defensive tackle: 34 total tackles, 3.0 sacks
Aaron Donald, defensive tackle: 67 total tackles, 13.5 sacks
Robert Quinn, defensive end: 50 total tackles, 16.5 sacks
Nick Fairley, defensive tackle: 31 total tackles, 7.5 sacks
Keep in mind that Fairley is likely a situational pass-rushing defensive tackle for the Rams initially. I think he’ll eventually supplant the one-dimensional Brockers, but for now, those numbers will come in a reserve role. Donald and Quinn are going to monstrous this season. Just mark it down. St. Louis might have the best pass-rushing defensive end and all-around defensive tackle on their team.
Linebackers
Alec Ogletree, outside linebacker: 135 total tackles, 3 sacks, 3 interceptions
James Laurinaitis, outside linebacker: 115 total tackles, 1 sack, 2 interceptions
Akeem Ayers, outside linebacker: 72 total tackles, 2 sacks, 1 interception
This is a huge year for Ogletree. I expect him to really step up, and take those tackles away from the defensive backs behind him. Too many plays in 2014 got past this group of linebackers, but I’m counting on big improvement across the board. Keeping plays in front of them, and limit big plays by opposing offenses.
Defensive Backs
T.J. McDonald, safety: 115 total tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 sacks
Janoris Jenkins, cornerback: 48 total tackles, 4 interceptions
E.J. Gaines, cornerback: 68 total tackles, 6 interceptions
Rodney McCloud, safety: 73 total tackles, 2 interceptions
Over the past two seasons, the secondary has been something of a weak link for the Rams. Perhaps this year they can right the ship, and create some turnovers. McDonald and McCloud are a grossly underrated tandem at safety, and a full season of Gaines is going to really excite fans.
znModeratorThe 8/2 camp reports are here, and in fact I added to that thread:
http://theramshuddle.com/topic/camp-reports-82/
All told at this point there are 21 camp reports posted on the board.
CoachO’s 3-day report is here:
http://theramshuddle.com/topic/coacho-camp-report-covering-731-82/
Previous camp reports are here, including Jimi and Mike Franke:
http://theramshuddle.com/topic/jimis-tweets-from-camp-82/
http://theramshuddle.com/topic/camp-reports-81/
http://theramshuddle.com/topic/camp-report/
http://theramshuddle.com/topic/ramview-73115-training-camp-report-long/
znModeratorAs for Rhaney, he suffered his injury while getting bull-rushed blocking on the Rams’ extra point unit in practice last August. He suffered , and in the process Rhaney said his tibia and fibula bones “banged together,” resulting in a fracture.
There was no ligament damage and no surgery. But Rhaney had to use crutches as the injury healed.
Some have speculated that Rhaney was a “redshirt stash” on IR. I have even done a bit of that myself.
Well, apparently not. A hyper-extended knee resulting in a fracture? Ouch.
znModeratorbadnews
Last year I watched Tru go down in camp and it lead to a great season for Gaines.
This year I had a great(?) view of Gaines injury… it felt like dejavu.
Tru is plenty good enough that the outside CB spot should be fine. Hopefully Gaines is ok but if he’s out for a bit it would be awesome if Joyner can step up his game and produce the way EJ did last year.
August 5, 2015 at 1:13 am in reply to: Long back, Gaines out for a couple of weeks, Rams add a CB #28119znModeratorRams make roster moves
Nate Latsch
http://www.scout.com/nfl/rams/story/1570369-rams-make-roster-moves
ST. LOUIS — The Rams made some roster moves on Tuesday, signing an undrafted rookie cornerback and releasing a wide receiver who spent time on the team’s practice squad last season.
The Rams signed Trovon Reed and released Devon Wylie in a move that adds another cornerback to the roster with two corners currently dealing with injuries.
“We’ve got Brandon McGee that’s about a week away, so we needed some help,” Rams coach Jeff Fisher said. “So we signed a corner (Trovon) Reed from Auburn and had to let Devon go. The hard part about camp, but we just want to make sure that we keep our corners legs’ fresh.”
The 5-foot-11, 191-pound Reed was a five-star wide receiver prospect from Thibodaux, La. — the same hometown as Rams’ left tackle Greg Robinson — who signed with Auburn over LSU as a high school senior.
He had just 39 receptions for 384 yards and one touchdown in three seasons as a wide receiver before he switched to cornerback. He recorded 12 tackles, three interceptions and four passes defensed in 12 games a year ago as a senior and went undrafted.
Reed signed with the Seattle Seahawks but was released.
Dane Brugler of NFLDraftScout and CBS Sports listed Reed as his 44th best cornerback prospect going into the 2015 Draft.
“Reed is obviously raw and still learning the dos and don’ts at the position, but uses smooth footwork to mirror and shadow receivers and shows the physical nature needed in run support, despite being new to the responsibility,” Brugler wrote in his scouting report. “He requires patience as he continues his development on defense, but Reed shows promise with his size, athleticism and confidence to be a coach’s project during training camp.”
Wylie was a fourth-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs back in 2012 and had played in a total of 12 regular season games with the Chiefs, Tennessee Titans, Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers between the 2012 and 2013 seasons. He was on the Rams’ practice squad last year.
znModeratorbadnews
We’ve had great technicians across the o-line in recent years. They’ve just been totally physically outmatched. That won’t be the case this year. I think Coach Boudreau can teach the technique… he couldn’t teach Wells to be more powerful, or Joseph to be more athletic.
Foles and the o-line are the keys to the season…. and they are struggling. After seeing it in person though, I’m not nearly as concerned as I would be from reading these reports. (Which have been awesome and accurate Btw)
Williams looked like he didn’t belong out there. Just fodder. But I may have only keyed in on him a couple of times total. Bond and Washington made no good impressions.
Havenstein moves really well for his size, I thought. Not nearly as lumbering as I had imagined. GROB is trimmer. I think he is going to be fine at LT… at the least he should play faster, and he certainly looks the part.
Rhaney is the most gifted Center on the roster imo. If he has the mind to go along with his size and athleticism, he could win it easily. Tim Barnes is just thoroughly outmatched by someone every play. It’s between Jones and Rhaney.
Also: I remember attending camp the year that Quinn made the leap to dominance. He looked poised to break out. He was “in the zone”. His ability just leaped out at you.
Well Jenkins, Ogletree and Brockers all seemed to be in that same zone. I don’t know how much weight Brockers has lost, or how it will effect his ability to hold up at NT, but he is looking like he’s ready to blow up.
Ogletree looks comfortable, and cut. He is practicing faster, having fun and looks like a different player. I think he comes out of the gate playing his best football yet.Jenkins was all over anyone lined up against him. He seemed much more physical and focused. No trash talking, just wet blanket coverage and had great position all day.
znModeratorFirst off, you aren’t allowed to post in Blue ;
Only Ag and Miles-Davis-Ram are authorized to do kinda blue posts.Moreover, I don’t think you are allowed to even post
on a message-board if you aren’t willing to take a dogmatic
and life-or-death set-view of NF.I say all people who do NOT agree with my view—that although we have an ambiguous past with Foles it’s nonetheless possible to be cautiously optimistic about him in the meanwhile until we get to see him with our own eyes—should be dammed to hell and/or banned from posting. It is the only possible stance. I hope it’s clear I say that precisely because I am NOT being dogmatic.
znModeratorAaron Donald discuss his goals for this upcoming season with The Fast Lane
znModerator12intheBox
My first camp experience.
Before I get into the meat and potatoes – a few words about the experience. The Rams do a good job of making it nice and fan friendly – there are games for the kids, a guy selling beer and water (at reasonable prices), cheerleaders welcome you in, and the players make themselves pretty accessible. It is, however, not very easy to see everything that is going on. I have even more respect for Coach O, Hammer, RamzFanz, and everyone else who gives us these reports practice after practice. Most of the work for this practice was done on the middle field – which puts about 75 yards between the fans and the action. Some drills were on the near field, but not very much. To add to the fun, some players don’t wear their numbers. Tavon was wearing #1 and Quinn was wearing #2 (at least I’m pretty sure that was Quinn) – if it wasn’t, we have a bad ass new defensive end out there.
Ok – on to the report.
I got there early because I like roasting in the sun and got myself a good spot. Foles and Mannion came out early to warm up. They started out at 10 yards and worked their way out. Before I get too into this – let me preface this with an admission – I am a Mannion guy – I was before the draft and I still am – so its possible that I am seeing what I want to see out there – having said that – Mannion looked like he had the better arm watching the two warm up. Foles was using a lot more effort especially in his lower body to cover the same distances and Mannion looked effortless.
The DBs came out to warm up next and its just flat out obvious that Jenkins is the cream of that crop. His fluidity – especially moving backward – is fun to watch. Trumaine Johnson sure looks fit. He is long and he looks like he has put some work in this offseason.
I next saw the centers put in some warmup work and it took about 10 seconds for me to declare Rhaney the center of the future. Barnes looked kind of lethargic about the drill and Jones looked stiff. It wasn’t much of a drill, by the way – it was just snap the ball and take a step and a half to either the right or the left. Probably not the drill to declare a position solidified but that was my impression. Wang was just kind of hanging out. : )
After warmups, practice started with some PAT / FG work. Not the most exciting moment of practice – but Greg does crush it.
Then the Defense came to the near field. Without going into every drill – cause I can see that this is going to turn into a novel in no time, let me cut to my impressions.
Brokers looks massive this year. He has length that the other guys don’t seem to have out there.
Aaron Donald is just unblockable – he beats people with speed and power and until his guy is beat, there is no way of telling which one he is going to use. He also practices all out – he was hitting the sled like the Super Bowl was on the line.
JL55 is the first one to every drill and he is the one that sprints over to grab the equipment for each drill. I have been critical in the past but he is a leader out there – and watching the way he practices, I want the guy on the team for his entire career.
I was expecting more fire – this being the first practice in full pads – I thought the guys were somewhat lackadaisical at first. They were doing some tackling drills but it was clear they had been instructed to work on form and go at less than 50%.
They did hit the heavy bag a bit – not wrapping it up – just flying in with a shoulder on it. I saw good thumps from Joyner and Ogletree but the best hits of the drill belonged to Montell Garner and Jay Hughes (neither of whom are likely to make the team)
Dunbar had an impressive practice – he had some swagger out there – I did see him a step late in recognition on one drill, but I also saw him after practice go out and take extra time hitting the sled from his knees – he was banging that thing hard and it was clearly gassing him. He isn’t going to lose his playing time without a fight.
Speaking of that – Ayers has good length and sure has strong looking legs. He didn’t flash much in the drills, but it was a small sample size anyway.
Mo Alexander had a really nice practice. He looks like he belongs out there and he seems to know it. He seemed to have a nose for the ball and I saw him sniff out a cutback nicely in a drill.
Eugene Sims looks bigger. He was bringing it in the 1 on 1s late in practice with really good hand usage – but he just looked noticeably bigger – especially up top.
Joyner looked quick and he looked comfortable – but he is small out there. He gave up a completion up top to Cook that he was in good position for. It was just an unfair size advantage – something the Rams will need to make sure other teams can’t exploit.
Christian Bryant needs to make this team. He had a pick 6 and he seems to have instincts out the wazoo. Several times I saw smothering coverage and went to check the number – it was him. If all practices are like this practice, he needs to be with the 1s.
Nick Fairley didn’t flash much – and I was looking for him to show something. I had to go hunt for his number – but part of that is a DT thing and most of the action was too far away to appreciate the play of either line. There was a skirmish in the 1 on 1s and I’m pretty sure he was the catalyst – but I could be wrong.
On to the offense …
For those of you looking for fantasy advise – Jared Cook is the Ram to own this year (sans Gurley) I saw a drop that should have been caught – but he just gets so many targets. Maybe this is what they were working on today or something – but Foles looks his way early and often.
Quick looks like he is game ready. I saw him using his body to shield off defenders, high pointing the ball, and moving around really well.
Britt is the energy – and when he makes a play – he lets you know. Saw him beat Jenkins who was in good coverage just by going up over the top on a nice deep ball from Foles.
Tavon didn’t show much today. I saw him either run a poor route or get badly under thrown on one ball and on another I saw just flat out miscommunication. I hope it clicks soon for him but I didn’t see it today.
Givens returned kicks behind Bam Bam, but I didn’t see much on the field. He did, however, come over and give a pair of gloves to a young fan which was nice.
Kendricks looked pretty good – he is a fluid route runner and he is bigger than I remember.
Bailey caught what was thrown to him but I didn’t see many opportunities for him. Quick, Britt, Cook, and Kendricks are so big that they just kind of command attention out there – I’ll try to focus a bit more on Steddy on Thursday.
I really wanted to see the O Line but I couldn’t see much from so far away during the 11 on 11. The 1 on 1s were on the near field and I got a better look then. Hard to know what a 1 on 1 really tells you about an O Lineman – but here goes …
The Jamon Brown hype is well deserved. He is a lot lighter on his feet than I would have expected – and he seems to be playing w confidence out there. I guess he saw what coach Fisher had to say about him.
Haven stein seems like a bend but not break kind of guy – I saw a few guys try to bull rush him and he didn’t exactly stop them in their tracks but he did stay in their way. I think these two on the right side are going to do fine.
Barrett Jones looked pretty good in the 1 on 1s – stoning Westbrooks twice in a row – and Westbrooks got a bit chippy about it afterwards
I really wanted to see G Rob and couldn’t get a good view until the 1 on 1s when I saw him beat Quinn twice – the second time just tossing him out of the way. (Assuming Quinn is the mysterious #2 – he is, no one else has that walk) I will be watching Mr. Robinson closely on Thursday.
Donnal looked like a rookie in the few snaps I saw – I saw him hold Worthington on one play and then got bullrushed by him on the next rep. Brokers later just abused him on one rep.
Garrett Reynolds got the best of William Hayes from what I saw and is a lot bigger than I thought in person.
Saffold got beaten twice in a row but it was Aaron Donald – so what do you expect in a 1 on 1? However, I did later on see Travis Bond beat Donald and Fairley (followed by a small skirmish) Back to Saffold – I stood next to him after practice – dude is really really big.
Brandon Washington looks like an appliance out there – he just looks like a big old block out there. I saw him doing some kickoff return work and for a guy his size, he moves pretty well.
I didn’t get a good look at the centers in the 1 on 1s – I tried, but they were moving thru them pretty quickly. My notes say that Tim Barnes had a win – but I couldn’t tell who it was against. I must have missed Rhaney in the 1 on 1s because I don’t have any wins or losses for him in my notes.
As for the backs …. let me start w Gurley. Holy Guacamole is he a specimen in person. His body reminds me of SJ39 but he is so much lighter on his feet. He was doing work on the side in the near field so we got a nice long look at him – mostly just some sprinting – but we all need to be excited for when they cut the cord.
Tre Mason had a very nice practice. He caught a few balls out of the backfield, one on a wheel route where he had nothing but daylight. He was decisive and ran with authority. He was used a lot more in the passing game – and he seemed to be pretty good at finding the soft spot and being a safety valve.
Bam Bam had a few nice moments himself – both as a runner and a receiver – but wasn’t in the same class as Mason.
Pead finally caught my attention when he dropped a pass by looking up field before he caught it. That was about it from him.
As for the QBs, Foles got most all of the reps and then they would rotate the other 3 QBs in. Foles is aggressive – he pushes the ball and take shots down the field. When he isn’t going deep, he is looking for Cook – although Cook gets his deep looks too. Foles threw a few picks – but thats part of being aggressive.
I saw Mannion make his progressions but he seemed to err on the side of caution going for his escape valve – who was mostly Rodriguez – who struck me as an Amendola like player – just always in the right place. Mannion doesn’t seem to panic when the rush comes – but lets see what he looks like when he isn’t wearing a red jersey.
Davis and Keenum just looked like guys to me.
After practice, I saw Chase Reynolds doing extra work on blitz pickups with McQuaide. Chase is not very big at all – not up top and not down low. His success as a special teamer must come from what is between his ears and what is inside his chest.
Havenstein also did extra work after practice just working on coming out of his stance in passing situations.
Sorry this was so long – as an out of towner myself, camp reports mean a lot to me and I wanted to do my part and not leave anything out. I’ll be back on Thursday and there on Friday for the scrimmage.
znModeratorjemach
For what it’s worth…friend of mine talked with Chris Long…who said the drafted guys on the OL are going to be more than good. He did not point one of them out. By the way, that conversation was after the first day of camp.
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znModeratorFisher: “(Foles) had a great day today”
Head coach Jeff Fisher talks about Nick Foles, Chris Long, E.J. Gaines, Brandon McGee and several others after Tuesday’s Training Camp.
August 4, 2015 at 8:38 pm in reply to: interview vids: Cook Kendricks Donald Quinn Brown Hayes McCleod Long Tru Sted #28098znModeratorHavenstein: “It’s going to make me a better player”
Watch rookie offensive tackle Rob Havenstein talk with the media after Tuesday’s Training Camp.
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