Training Camp Update Volume 6, Issue 1 8/3/10
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- Arizona Cardinals QB
- Daryl Washington was one of the last second rounders to sign
- Cardinals Depth Chart QB
- Falcons Depth Chart QB
- picked up where he left off
Training Camp Update Volume 6, Issue 1 – 8/3/10 Training camps are in full swing and we want you to feel like you have attended every practice and seen every preseason game. To keep all our Footballguys Insiders on top of everything, we’ve created our incredibly detailed Training Camp Updates. They're an exhaustive look each week covering every bit of news you need to know to stay completely on top of all 32 teams. Quite simply, they're the key to Dominating Your Draft. This is the first of five training camp updates from us. We'll break down every team's skill positions and position battles. It’s the stuff you'd see if you were there at every camp watching practice yourself. The Training Camp Updates are created by our own Bob Henry with contributions from Jason Wood, Mark Wimer, Mike Herman, Jene Bramel, Aaron Rudnicki, Colin Dowling, Sigmund Bloom, Maurile Tremblay and Anthony Borbely. Each camp update reflects the most up-to-date information from each of the 32 training camps; the type of information that will help maintain your advantage over the rest of your league mates. Happy reading and let's have a great 2010 season, Joe Bryant and David Dodds Owners, Footballguys.com Arizona Cardinals QB: The vibe on Matt Leinart so far in camp has been encouraging, but cautious. Leinart had a solid start to camp, but the team eased him into action with simple throws, and nothing too difficult. Leinart hit Early Doucet in stride 15 yards downfield for a crowd pleaser on Saturday, while missing on other throws as he shook off some rust on the first day of practice. "I'm just excited to play," Leinart said. "It's been a long time, and I've learned so much. I feel fully prepared…" Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt has been supportive publically on Leinart as the team’s starter and beat writer Kent Somers reported that Leinart would have to play terribly to lose the starting job in the preseason. The team added strong-armed Derek Anderson and rookie John Skelton in the 5th round for competition. Anderson got some work along with Leinart on Saturday. Skelton is a project, but big, strong and frequently compared to Joe Flacco. If Leinart bombs, don’t be surprised if Anderson does the same and Skelton is pressed into action. RB: As the team transitions to a new quarterback, they are expected to lean on the run more heavily in 2010 with Chris “Beanie” Wells and Tim Hightower leading the way. Hightower continues to run with the first team as he did at OTAs, but Wells has the pedigree to separate himself if he stays healthy and improves as a blocker and receiver, both areas where Hightower excels. As for Wells, Whisenhunt said that he has, “gotten much better in pass protection” noting that Hightower sets a high bar. Whisenhunt also mentioned that Wells’ receiving ability “has always been an underrated part of his game.” LaRod Stephens-Howling hopes to expand his role on third downs while Jason Wright will be challenged to make the roster. The team waived veteran fullback Reagan Maui’a on Friday leaving Justin Green and Nehemiah Broughton to vie for what will likely be one roster spot. In Sunday’s practice, Wells, FB Charles Ali and WR Steve Breaston all had drops. WR: Larry Fitzgerald entered camp with a focus on improving. "I don’t think I had a particularly good offseason in minicamps," Fitzgerald told KTAR radio in Phoenix. "I don’t think I was as crisp as I needed to be. There's a lot of fine tuning I was trying to work on this summer. Coach (Ken) Whisenhunt talked to me before I left and just told me how much he needed me to raise my level of play." When Whisenhunt was asked which players improved the most during the offseason, Early Doucet was the first name he mentioned. Doucet played well in the playoffs when Anquan Boldin was hurt catching 14 balls for 145 yards and 2 TDs in two games. Steve Breaston enters camp as the number two receiver, but Doucet will give him a fight. Whisenhunt mentioned Doucet as one of the players that benefited most from John Lott’s strength and conditioning program. Andre Roberts was drafted in the third round as the Citadel’s all-time leading receiver with 3,743 yards and 37 TDs in four years. He’ll likely begin the season as number four and he might contribute on returns. Roberts’ route running, hands and speed make him a player to watch for down the road, but he probably won’t play right away unless injuries move him up the depth chart. TE: The Cardinals have been a desolate wasteland for fantasy production at tight end over the last several years. They return largely the same nondescript cast from a year ago. Stanford rookie Jim Dray is the lone addition, a seventh round pick in this April’s draft. On Sunday, Stephen Spach made a nice one-handed catch beating Kerry Rhodes for a 35-yard TD. Defense: There were a couple of minor surprises on the opening day of camp. First, Trumaine McBride was running opposite Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie as the first-team corners, while Paris Lenon and Monty Beisel were the inside linebackers. Rookie Daryl Washington was one of the last second rounders to sign. He opened camp running with the third-string. Gerald Hayes opened camp on the PUP, as expected. Washington will have to earn his stripes, but he is expected to emerge as a factor on passing downs quickly. The Cardinals began camp with everyone under contract, but first round pick NT Dan Williams, who signed a five-year deal and joined the team in practice on Monday. The team continues to work on a new deal for DT Darnell Dockett, who reported to camp on time. Greg Toler is competing with McBride for a starting spot opposite DRC, who returns from offseason knee surgery. "It's so-so," he said. "I can be as good as they want me to be. They say I am 100, so I'm going to be 100. Personally, I can get through it. If there was a game Sunday, I can play." DTs Alan Branch and Gabe Watson reported to camp considerably lighter. Branch checked in at 326 while Watson was 328, 11 pounds lighter than the team asked. With Williams unsigned, veteran Bryan Robinson was manning nose tackle, but the team hopes one of their two maligned DTs emerges finally this summer. If not, one or both could be gone. “It’s not going to be easy piercing that top lineup,” said Branch, who ran with the twos at DE while Watson lined up at NT. Special Teams: All three of the Cardinals specialists are experienced NFL players, although they are relatively new with the club. Punter Ben Graham joined the team late in 2008 and long snapper Mike Leach came on board last year. Kicker Jay Feely is the newest, having been signed this offseason while former kicker Neil Rackers went to Houston via free agency. None of the three are facing competition for their jobs, so the focus in camp and preseason will simply be to get their timing down as a unit. Graham (who also serves as the holder) and Feely do have some brief history, having crossed paths for several games with the Jets in 2008. Cardinals Depth Chart QB: Matt Leinart, Derek Anderson, John Skelton RB: Tim Hightower, Chris Wells, LaRod Stephens-Howling (KR), Jason Wright FB: Justin Green, Nehemiah Broughton, Charles Ali WR: Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Breaston (PR), Early Doucet, Andre Roberts (KR),Onrea Jones, Darren Mougey, Ed Gant (susp) TE: Steven Spach, Ben Patrick, Anthony Becht, Jim Dray K: Jay Feely NT: Bryan Robinson, Gabe Watson, Dan Williams DE: Darnell Dockett (DT), Calais Campbell, Alan Branch, Kenny Iwebema, Keilen Dykes, Jeremy Clark, Jason Banks ILB: Gerald Hayes (inj), Monty Beisel, Paris Lenon, Daryl Washington, Reggie Walker OLB: Clark Haggans, Joey Porter, Cody Brown (inj), O'Brien Schofield, Will Davis (inj), Pago Togafau CB: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Trumaine McBride, Greg Toler, Michael Adams, Jorrick Calvin, Justin Miller, A.J. Jefferson S: Adrian Wilson (SS), Kerry Rhodes (FS), Rashad Johnson (FS), Matt Ware,Hamza Abdullah (SS), Aaron Rouse Atlanta Falcons QB: Prior to the opening of training camp, Matt Ryan wrote an article for Sports Illustrated in which he described his offseason film-room study sessions: Ryan closely watched six quarterbacks - Peyton Manning, Tony Romo, Tom Brady, Phillip Rivers, Aaron Rodgers, and Drew Brees - to see what each guy did to make his team so effective. RB: Good news for Atlanta as Michael Turner is returning to the team in top condition. On Monday it was reported that Turner appears to be much faster running to the edge and busting through the holes at the line of scrimmage."I'm feeling great," Turner said. "I'm just trying to get that pop back, that explosiveness that I was getting in the middle of last year. This year I want to start off with it." Turner is also working on becoming more of a pass-catching threat: "He made a nice catch on a screen pass," running backs coach Gerald Brown said on Monday. "If he can improve that part of his game, that's just going to make him a better football player." There is more good news for Turner - the Falcons are working on improving depth along the offensive line and sorting out who will make the roster in the trenches is a priority according to head coach Mike Smith. "That’s going to be very, very competitive. The front line starters are fairly set. They are set. I think that was a solid group last year. But I think we need to start looking at the backups at those positions. There are going to be some very good battles for those roster spots.” Unfortunately, Jerious Norwood, who started camp in top condition, missed Monday morning’s practice with a hip flexor injury. Coach Smith said it was not the same injury [as last season], but was in the same “general” area. With Norwood out, Jason Snelling, Antone Smith and Dimitri Nance will get more reps. “We feel really good about all of those running backs,” coach Smith said. “They all have a little different skill set. It’s a very diverse group that gives us a lot of flexibility with what we can do.” WR: Harry Douglas was cleared to join the Falcons' training camp after visiting Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama shortly before camp opened. He is expected to compete for the #3 WR position during 2010. He took part in the first padded practice on Monday. Coach Smith commented, "Harry has done some things today... As we go through this week, we are going to integrate him into full practice.” Roddy White isn't thrilled with the Falcons' offense after four days in camp, saying, "This is our third year going into the system, and I thought we'd come out here and dominate, but the defense is doing a good job...It's not discouraging, just real interesting. They are making us work very hard for everything, and that's good." On Monday, Brian Finneran was on the field running for the trainers. He’s working on recovering from back spasms. TE: Tony Gonzalez commented as training camp opened: “Offensively we’re pretty confident. We can move up and down the field. We have the horses...If we stay healthy, the sky’s the limit.” He added, "We’ve got a lot of guys in their third and fourth years. That’s when it’s supposed to click. That’s the norm in the NFL. If we do that, we’ll be pretty good.” Tight end Colin Peek, an undrafted rookie free agent from Alabama, left the field during the afternoon practice on July 31st with an apparent right knee injury. Peek is expected to miss one to two weeks due to a strained knee. Defense: Coach Smith discussed the process of upgrading the Falcons' cornerback position during the offseason and the upcoming training camp, saying: “I’ve said it many times, that it was just not the DBs, but we felt we had to start to address that. We added Dunta Robinson. We also have Brent Grimes, Christopher Owens, Brian Williams and we added Dominique Franks in the draft. We feel like that is going to be the most competitive spot on the entire team.” The Falcons signed their first round pick (#19), LB Sean Weatherspoon, just hours before the first team meeting - this is good news for the defensive unit, as they'll have the new playmaker in camp from day one, a crucial element for ensuring smooth development of rookie players. Coach Smith commented on Weatherspoon after the signing, saying, "I think Sean can play all three [linebackers spots], but right now we have basically spent our time training Sean at our outside linebacker position... Is he a [strongside] or [weakside]? He's an outside linebacker... I think more and more you're seeing more teams developing their outside linebackers to be able to play multiple spots." MLB Curtis Lofton commented on Saturday, "As a rookie, having a guy play two positions, that's a lot to ask. But he's very smart and energetic. We just love having him." DT Peria Jerry was medically cleared by Dr. James Andrews to resume his football career during training camp. "I'm back now. I’m on the field," Jerry said after the first practice of training camp. "They would have to tell me that I can't play...All I can do is what they ask me to do. I've got some really good veteran guys beside me like [Jonathan] Babineaux, [John] Abraham, Chauncey [Davis] and Jamaal [Anderson]. They've all been there with me through the whole thing." Jerry is expected to help the DL develop more push into opposing backfields and help free the DEs for more QB pressures/sacks. John Abraham, who saw his sack total drop from 16.5 in 2008 to 5.5 during 2009, spent a large portion of the offseason at Bommarito Performance Systems in south Florida. "I don't think I've lost anything," Abraham said. "I've watched myself on tape. I looked at my moves, and they are still good. The pass rush is still there. I just want to get there sooner...I've been doing a lot of stuff for myself [during offseason]," Abraham said. "This year I'm going to try to help them [the DL] out more, so we can all work as a unit and get to the quarterback." Special Teams: The Falcons enter camp with four specialists on the roster. All four were with the team at the end of last year, however three were late 2009 additions: long snapper Joe Zelenka and kickers Matt Bryant and Steve Hauschka. Bryant was signed for the final five games last year to replace the eventually retiring Jason Elam. Hauschka was signed for the final week when Bryant was questionable to play due to an injury. Their competition for the placekicking job will be the primary focus of camp and preseason. A secondary question in camp is punter Michael Koenen’s secondary role. He also handles kickoffs, and will definitely continue to do so if Bryant remains the placekicker. However if Hauschka wins the placekicking job, he could potentially also take over on kickoffs. Falcons Depth Chart QB: Matt Ryan, Chris Redman, John Parker Wilson RB: Michael Turner, Jerious Norwood, Jason Snelling, Dmitri Nance FB: Ovie Mughelli WR: Roddy White, Michael Jenkins, Harry Douglas, Kerry Meier, Brian Finneran,Eric Weems (PR/KR), Troy Bergeron TE: Tony Gonzalez, Justin Peelle (inj), Keith Zinger, Robert Agnone K: Matt Bryant (inj), Steven Hauschka DT: Peria Jerry (inj), Jonathan Babineaux (susp), Chauncey Davis, Corey Peters,Thomas Johnson, Trey Lewis, Vance Walker DE: John Abraham, Kroy Biermann, Jamaal Anderson (DT), Lawrence Sidbury MLB: Curtis Lofton, Bear Woods OLB: Stephen Nicholas (S), Mike Peterson (W/M), Sean Weatherspoon (W/S), Coy Wire (S/M), Tony Gilbert, Spencer Adkins, Robert James (susp) CB: Dunta Robinson, Brian Williams (inj), Christopher Owens, Brent Grimes,Chevis Jackson, Dominique Franks S: Erik Coleman (SS), Thomas DeCoud (FS), William Moore (inj), Matt Giordano (SS), Jamaal Fudge (inj), Shann Schillinger, Antoine Harris (inj) Baltimore Ravens QB: As if the fantasy community needed any more hype to build up our own expectations of Joe Flacco. The Ravens talented young quarterback enters his third season with a better supporting cast than in either of his previous two years and the continuity of working within the same system – the Air Coryell system that offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and Al Saunders, their senior offensive assistant, have employed with great success in San Diego, St. Louis and Kansas City. Both predict great things for Flacco this season. "Joe is going to flourish in this system," Cameron predicted. "There are some things we have invested time in the last two years that we really haven't used a lot in games, because we really weren't efficient enough at it yet... There are some things we're working on that hopefully will show this year. And really, it's not anything new that we put in. It's just something that now we're at a level I feel comfortable in calling it." ESPN’s John Clayton reported that Flacco’s "bruised quad" last season was much worse than reported, partially explaining his fade in late in the season. According to the Baltimore Sun, Flacco is taking more command of the offense and he may be on the “verge of turning… into an elite (signal caller).” Marc Bulger was signed to give the club a proven veteran backup, while several players were displeased that it could mean the end for Troy Smith, although the trade of John Beck to Washington suggests Baltimore may want to keep Smith around. Bulger looked good on the second day of camp after looking a bit rusty on the opening day, throwing behind receivers. In two days, Bulger already created a gap between himself and Smith, sometimes looking almost as good as Flacco. RB: The Ravens seems poised to have another big year running the football, too. Willis McGahee reported to camp in great shape, despite adding weight. He reported slightly over 240 pounds with added muscle. “I like it,” McGahee explained. “I’m moving with it. It’s not holding me down. I felt like when I came in lighter, that’s when I was getting the injuries. I’ll just go with the flow now and keep it up.” McGahee stood out during the first few practices showing speed, sharp cuts and plenty of toughness. On Friday, when he caught a pass before getting drilled by safety Dawan Landry, splitting his lip and drawing some blood. Normally, secure with the ball, he fumbled a couple of times on Saturday. Expect more big plays from Ray Rice this year, too. The Ravens offseason additions should help create more room for Rice to operate as a receiver as well as a runner. Anquan Boldin’s blocking prowess and Donte Stallworth’s ability to stretch the field could help Rice produce more big plays. “They brought in guys that will not only catch the ball, but they get the safety blocked, keep the corner from making that long tackle,” Rice said in an interview with 105.7 The Fan. “That’s when big plays happen. Keeping an extra guy out of the box is going to be one of the biggest things. If you looked at my long runs from last year, our receivers block downfield.” Rice added, “I’m anxious to see what teams are going to do now that we have Anquan, Donte’ and still Derrick… It’s one of those things where defenses are going to do certain things, and we can adjust.” WR: Derrick Mason and Anquan Boldin are the team’s top vertical threats, while Stallworth looked good in minicamp showing that he still has his deep speed after missing last season. A starter last year, Mark Clayton now adds depth as the team’s number four. Marcus Smith spent all of last year on IR with a knee injury suffered in last year’s preseason. He appears to be healthy. On Wednesday, he accelerated to catch up to a Joe Flacco bomb. Mike Duffy, of the BaltimoreRavens.com, named Smith one of the top 9 standouts from the first two days of camp. Demetrius Williams, as well as Clayton, will face increased competition for a roster spot with the addition of Stallworth, Boldin and Smith healthy again. Stallworth had perhaps the catch of the day on Saturday in the morning practice after Cary Williams almost intercepted Marc Bulger’s pass. The ball glanced off his fingertips right into Stallworth’s arms. TE: Todd Heap missed practice on Friday while dealing with swelling in his tonsils. Rookie Ed Dickson ran with the starters in his absence. Heap was back at practice on Saturday. "It knocked me out. There were three or four days I couldn't sleep. I'm not 100 percent, but I passed the conditioning test and I'm going forward." Dickson appears to be ahead of fellow rookie Dennis Pitta, although the team considers Pitta more of a “move“ tight end. Dickson will likely be used more traditionally, while Pitta may be lined up all over the field to utilize his superior route running skills. Dickson switched from number 80 to 83 after talking with second-year TE Davon Drew. "Well. I talked to Drew," Dickson said. "I said, 'Was he attached to the number or anything?' And he said, 'No, it’s just a number.' Dickson said "I’ll take him out to dinner or something like that... I’ll take him to pretty good dinner, him and probably his girl, something like that. In exchange for the number, I’ll look out for him." There were rumblings that Dickson was struggling to learn plays. However, once he gets situated, he could develop into a big-time threat, capable of getting vertical down the seams of defenses. He caught one pass Friday morning and he was gone as soon as he turned the corner. Pitta had a nice TD grab late in the morning practice, but he also dropped a pair of passes. Defense: Jameel McClain opened camp as the starter at ILB next to Ray Lewis, a surprise as a battle was expected between Dannell Ellerbee and Tavares Gooden. CB Domonique Foxworth tore his ACL during walk-through drills as camp opened; he’ll miss the season. It’s a blow to the Ravens, who have Fabian Washington and Lardarius Webb returning from ACL surgeries of their own in the offseason, not to mention Ed Reed, who could start the season on the PUP list (and miss the first six weeks). The injuries could lead to problems defensively, not to mention more pass attempts for the up and coming Joe Flacco. The team is looking at veteran free agents to help fill the void, like Frank Walker, Ken Lucas, Fred Smoot and Nick Harper. The team is also without second-round pick Sergio Kindle because of a fractured skull suffered when he fell down two flights of stairs last week. Head Coach John Harbaugh confirmed that Kindle has narcolepsy and he has been ruled out of training camp. Walt Harris and Travis Fisher were signed earlier during the offseason for depth and now they’ll be pressed into action along with Chris Carr and Cary Williams, who faces a two-game suspension to begin the season. Tom Zbikowski picked up where he left off last season filling in for Reed with the first team defense. Dawan Landry was off to a fast start as well, popping McGahee and busting his lip as earning his “whop” nickname from teammates. Also on a positive note, Terrell Suggs reported to camp down about 20 pounds from last year in the mid-260s. Rookie NT Terrence Cody passed his conditioning test on Wednesday after failing the conditioning test on the first day. Once he took the field, Cody’s size and athleticism were evident, and he should push for playing time right away behind Kelly Gregg. DT Haloti Ngata (pectorals) is back to 100 percent, too. On Saturday, the defensive pass rush was working as Jarret Johnson, Albert McClellan and defensive tackle Brandon McKinney each got to the quarterbacks for “sacks”. Cody had another, but the play was blown dead by a penalty. Download 0.59 Mb. Share with your friends:
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