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2011 Training Camp / Preseason Observations, News & Tidbits Thread (1 Viewer)

Cleveland Browns TE Evan Moore continues to flourish in Pat Shurmur's offense

BEREA, Ohio -- Observations from Browns morning practice ..

* If there were a MVP at this early stage of training camp, it would be tight end Evan Moore. He's flourishing in this West Coast scheme. In every red zone drill he's catching two or three passes in the end zone. Moore definitely has a chemistry going with quarterback Colt McCoy, and he's the surest-handed pass catcher on the roster. He also seems to be totally in concert with the new offense, while others are still comprehending it. Moore is big in coach Pat Shurmur's offensive plans.

* Cornerback Sheldon Brown looked particularly spry. He leaped to steal a McCoy pass intended for 6-5 rookie receiver Chris Matthews in a one-on-one drill, and then broke up another pass for Matthews on the sideline. In a red zone drill, Brown knifed under rookie Greg Little for another interception.

* Love the pump-fake. McCoy had a nice one to freeze cornerback Joe Haden for the blink of an eye, just enough for receiver Johnathan Haggerty to slip behind Haden and come down with a McCoy pass.

* Shurmur said Mike Adams is competing well at free safety, but conceded the team is looking for Usama Young to emerge as the starter.

* Competing every day against Joe Thomas is benefitting rookie defensive end Jabaal Sheard, who is holding down the starting right defensive end position. Sheard also has dazzled in post-practice interviews.

* Montario Hardesty update: He did a little more agility running on the sideline and expressed satisfaction with the way he felt.

* Idle were receiver Mohamed Massaquoi (foot), linebacker Chris Gocong (neck) and defensive back Ramzee Robinson (groin).

* At the end of practice, quarterbacks and receivers practiced some lobs on fade routes to the corners of the end zone. Brian Robiskie reached out far for a catch and kept running to maintain his balance. He tip-toed all the way under the press tent as Shurmur was holding court with reporters. "How you doin'?" Shurmur said. "Nice catch."
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'Faust said:
Cleveland Browns TE Evan Moore continues to flourish in Pat Shurmur's offense

BEREA, Ohio -- Observations from Browns morning practice ..

* If there were a MVP at this early stage of training camp, it would be tight end Evan Moore. He's flourishing in this West Coast scheme. In every red zone drill he's catching two or three passes in the end zone. Moore definitely has a chemistry going with quarterback Colt McCoy, and he's the surest-handed pass catcher on the roster. He also seems to be totally in concert with the new offense, while others are still comprehending it. Moore is big in coach Pat Shurmur's offensive plans.

* Cornerback Sheldon Brown looked particularly spry. He leaped to steal a McCoy pass intended for 6-5 rookie receiver Chris Matthews in a one-on-one drill, and then broke up another pass for Matthews on the sideline. In a red zone drill, Brown knifed under rookie Greg Little for another interception.

* Love the pump-fake. McCoy had a nice one to freeze cornerback Joe Haden for the blink of an eye, just enough for receiver Johnathan Haggerty to slip behind Haden and come down with a McCoy pass.

* Shurmur said Mike Adams is competing well at free safety, but conceded the team is looking for Usama Young to emerge as the starter.

* Competing every day against Joe Thomas is benefitting rookie defensive end Jabaal Sheard, who is holding down the starting right defensive end position. Sheard also has dazzled in post-practice interviews.

* Montario Hardesty update: He did a little more agility running on the sideline and expressed satisfaction with the way he felt.

* Idle were receiver Mohamed Massaquoi (foot), linebacker Chris Gocong (neck) and defensive back Ramzee Robinson (groin).

* At the end of practice, quarterbacks and receivers practiced some lobs on fade routes to the corners of the end zone. Brian Robiskie reached out far for a catch and kept running to maintain his balance. He tip-toed all the way under the press tent as Shurmur was holding court with reporters. "How you doin'?" Shurmur said. "Nice catch."
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Gotta bump this thread....it is too good to get lost at the bottom of page 2
 
Observations on the Saints

Excerpts:

A few other observations from Tuesday’s practice.

[*]Receivers Marques Colston, Adrian Arrington and Jarred Fayson all missed practice. Payton said he’s not worried about a shortage of receivers for Friday’s preseason opener. Payton said he expects some or all of the injured receivers to return soon.

[*]Backup quarterback Chase Daniel had a very nice practice. I saw him throw three touchdown passes in team drills. The high-light was a back-shoulder touchdown to Jimmy Graham.

[*]Until Tuesday, I had only seen rookie running back Mark Ingram play on television. In person, he’s even more impressive. I saw him running with power and the best thing I can say is he looked faster than I thought he was. The Saints are bringing just about all their other rookies along slowly, but Ingram’s getting all sorts of work with the starters.

[*]The outside linebacker spots are still up for grabs, but Scott Shanle's working with the first team on the weak side and Will Herring's working on the strong side. But Clint Ingram got some first-team reps on the strong side on Tuesday and is very much in the mix. I like the way the Saints are handling the situation at outside linebackers. They've got a whole bunch of candidates and they're going to use the preseason to throw them all out there and see who rises up.

[*]One thing that really stood out was the fact that the middle of the defensive line is a lot bigger than last year. That’s largely due to the arrival of Shaun Rogers and Aubrayo Franklin.

[*]I'll have more on the Saints on Wednesday and their Camp Confidential profile is scheduled for Friday.
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Practice tidbits: Gronkowski, others still out

Excerpts:

ATTENDANCE PLEASE

- Physically unable to perform list: DL Ron Brace, DL Brandon Deaderick, RB Kevin Faulk, OT Matt Light.

- Non-football injury list: OL Marcus Cannon.

- Out but watching practice: WR Brandon Tate, CB Ras-I Dowling, S James Sanders, S Josh Barrett, RB Shane Vereen, S Ross Ventrone, DL Shaun Ellis, OG Dan Connolly, OG Chris Morris, LB Brandon Spikes.

- Out and not visible at practice: RB Eric Kettani, OL Ryan Wendell, DL Albert Haynesworth, DL Mike Wright, TE Rob Gronkowski.

INJURIES

- RB Stevan Ridley was out for a time icing his left ankle, but he returned.

ODDS AND ENDS

- The Patriots kicked off practice with their annual rookie rite of passage as QB Tom Brady took great pleasure in soaking his younger teammates with a water hose as they slid on the far part of the field. Even rookie assistant George Godsey got into the act.

- With Gronkowski out, both Aaron Hernandez and Lee Smith got a ton of work at tight end and were the featured pass catchers. Hernandez was tough to stop, and Smith showed off his great hands. That has never been an issue for him. His lack of speed and separation has, but the kid can certainly catch when it's thrown in his vicinity. Smith had a terrific leaping catch in the end zone over LB Rob Ninkovich, among others.

- Smith really thudded LB Gary Guyton hard on a crossing route.

- RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis made a very difficult catch that got through Guyton somehow. He was in perfect position.

- WR Wes Welker just can't be covered. And appears to have kicked the drops that plagued him last year, even if he had one today. They are few and far between.

- WR Darnell Jenkins drops some easy passes, but not many go up the ladder to make the difficult catches as he does.

- Continue to be impressed by WR Jeremy Ross. He does the little things well, like run blocking. Keep an eye on him in the exhibition games. He's my choice for breakout undrafted rooke on that side of the ball. Will it be enough for him to make the team? Doubt it, but he'll make some big plays.

- WR Buddy Farnham had to don a blue pinny and play some defensive back.

- With Connolly out, Rich Ohrnberger was at right guard with the first team.

- LB Marques Murrell continues to get strong special teams consideration, as does Jeff Tarpinian, Ridley, Malcolm Williams and Sergio Brown.

- After a few days rest, P Zoltan Mesko was back on top of his game with several very nice kicks. Nearly all were more than 4.2 in hang time.
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And from twitter:

Mike Reiss

Not a surprise, but Stevan Ridley has taken advantage of extended reps RT: @The_Real_Pebo: who is the biggest rookie surprise for u in camp?

 
'BigTex said:
Ryan Mathews remains in and out of practice while battling a reported toe injury and "general soreness."He worked on the side of Chargers practice Monday. We're keeping a close eye on Mathews because this is a critical training camp for his fantasy value. So far, he's shown nothing to give us the impression that he's in line to break out.
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Source: Kevin Acee on Twitter Aug 8, 7:33 PM
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Thanks for this BigTex! Tolbert might be sleeper of the year the way things are going with Mathews.
 
Postcard from camp: Lions

Excerpts:

Three Observations

1. A pall came over the day when Mikel Leshoure went down for the year with an Achilles injury. "That was a gut punch,'' coach Jim Schwartz said after he learned Leshoure was gone for the year. I'd just watched Leshoure, the second-round running back from Illinois, take a swing pass and sprint powerfully up the left sideline. Then poof. The Lions picked Leshoure to give them something Jahvid Best didn't -- the ability to break tackles and make yards after first contact. Best is not a powerful runner. He was one of only three backs in the league with less than two yards per run after initial contact, according to ProFootballFocus.com. Now the Lions will make do without Leshoure. Best's 3.2 yards per rush encourages no one.

2. The Lions are confident Nick Fairley will be ready for opening day. He has a month for his stress-fractured foot to heal, and coach Jim Schwartz told me he thought he'd be fine for the regular season. "This gives him time to heal the right way, and to be fully confident of everything on defense by the time he gets back in the lineup,'' Schwartz said. That's one way of looking at it. The other way is that he won't have time to mesh with Ndamukong Suh and Corey Williams and figure out the proper tackle rotation.

3. Matthew Stafford looks in midseason form. He threw one of the prettiest balls I've seen on my tour so far, a 25-yard rainbow into the hands of Calvin Johnson, in perfect stride, with a corner and safety draped on him. Goes without saying, but the Lions will be in the hunt for respectability -- the playoffs, even -- if Stafford can stay upright, which he hasn't been able to do.

Step On Up

Brandon Pettigrew, tight end. When you hear 71 catches (his 2010 output), you think Pettigrew had a great year. But 10.2 yards per reception is not great. Twelve drops, which he had, is awful. And his 10 penalties ... way too much. The Lions need Pettigrew to deliver at a first-round level, and he has shown flashes. They'd better hope a rising tide lifts all receiving boats and the return of Stafford will help Pettigrew.

New Face, New Place

Cornerback Eric Wright, who came in free agency from Cleveland, was the Lions' big signing to help a weak group. He lost his starting job in Week 12 for the Browns last year and was a declining player in the eyes of Eric Mangini. No wonder -- according to the aforementioned ProFootballFocus.com, quarterbacks had a 121.5 rating when throwing at Wright. I'll just say this about the Lions corners, who will probably be Nathan Vasher, Chris Houston and Wright at the top: They inspire no confidence in me.

Looking At The Schedule ...

If Detroit can survive the first four with a 2-2 mark (at Tampa, Kansas City, at Minnesota, at Dallas), they go on a three-game homestand (Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta) and then have winnable games against Denver and Carolina among the next three games. The Lions have the Packers twice in the last six weeks, including a New Year's Day game at the tundra. What's good about that is the Pack could have nothing to play for then if they've got a playoff spot clinched, and the Lions could have everything to play for.
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New Orleans Saints best camp collision: Mark Ingram v. Roman Harper

The New Orleans Saints went "full live" - that is, tackle to the ground, full speed - for the first time Tuesday in a goal line drill and the third down play produced the best collision of camp thus far: rookie running back Mark Ingram crashing into safety Roman Harper just inside the 2-year line.Ingram got the touchdown; the offense exulted and Harper was left praising his fellow Alabama product.The offense had not had its best day of practice when Coach Sean Payton called the team together around the 20-yard line and explained how the full contact drill would go. In an identical situation at camp last year, running back Pierre Thomas came up gimpy on the very first play and the coaches obviously did not want a repeat of that.But no one was asked to pull their punch, either, and when Ingram tried the left side on first down from about the 9-yard line he got three tough yards. Newcomer Darren Sproles got the carry on second down and advanced the ball three more yards before being gang tackled. That set up the third down play. Ingram took the handoff from quarterback Drew Brees and went through a hole on the right side of the line. Halfway to the goal line he cracked into a flashing Harper and the sound echoed across the outdoor field. Ingram stayed on his feet and went into the end zone.Harper smiled when asked about the play. He went unusually high, he insisted, because he didn't want to cut out the legs of a teammate. That said, he acknowledged Ingram would almost certainly have hit pay dirt anyway, and that was a testament to the rookie's hard-nosed style and power.
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http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/08/new_orleans_saints_best_camp_c.html
 
Camp Confidential: Chargers

Excerpts:

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. Getting special teams up to speed. The 2010 Chargers will be remembered for assembling perhaps the worst special-teams unit of all time. San Diego had the No. 1-ranked offense and No. 1-ranked defense in the NFL last year, yet it didn’t make the playoffs because of special teams, which cost the Chargers in every imaginable way. The Chargers have put a major emphasis on the unit during camp. Special-teams practice segments are long and spirited. New special-teams coach Rich Bisaccia is well-respected and determined to get his players on track.

“It is a major point of emphasis in this camp,” Turner said.

2. Get Ryan Mathews ready. This is a big camp for Mathews, the running back who was the No. 12 overall pick in 2010. He alarmed the team when he failed a conditioning test at the start of training camp. Teammates reportedly were surprised Mathews failed the test, and he admitted he should have worked out his legs more during the lockout. That is the last thing a team wants to hear from its rich 24-year-old tailback of the future. He is currently dealing with a minor leg injury that is expected to keep him out of the preseason opener against Seattle. Mathews had durability issues last year, although he flashed at times, and he must show during camp that he is ready to be a lead back and can stay healthy.

“Ryan has to get some carries,” Turner said. “We need to get him some work.”

Turner expects Mathews to continue to work in tandem with powerful veteran Mike Tolbert, who looks as fearsome as always. Tolbert is an underrated weapon. Look for him to see more action in all phases of the run game as Mathews tries to develop.

3. The veteran safeties. Oft-injured Bob Sanders looks good. It may be too much to ask for the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year to return to his peak form, considering he has played in nine games over the past three years, but Sanders looks primed to bounce back. He and fellow safety Eric Weddle, who last month signed a $40 million deal to stay in San Diego, seem to have a strong on-field connection. They should be fun to watch and should benefit from playing with each other.

“Bob has been amazing,” Weddle reports. “There’s no rust there.”

BIGGEST SURPRISE

The Chargers have their starting receivers together. That wasn’t expected.

The Chargers wanted to bring back No. 2 wideout Malcom Floyd, but they thought they would be outbid for Floyd's services. The market didn't develop as expected, though, so Floyd took a two-year deal that could be worth as much as $7 million to stay in San Diego.

That means the Chargers have No. 1 receiver Vincent Jackson (who held out for much of last season, and was given the franchise tag this year) and Floyd in the fold. Last year, because of a rash of injuries at the position, Rivers was throwing to street free agents at the end of the season. Having Jackson and Floyd at his disposal will be a treat for Rivers, who threw for 4,710 yards last season.

Add veteran Patrick Crayton and third-round possession receiver Vincent Brown, and the Chargers’ receiving corps is stronger than it was expected to be.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

The Chargers couldn’t come to a contract agreement with inside linebacker Kevin Burnett. He was a priority for the team, but Burnett ended up being the one who got away from the Chargers, who otherwise enjoyed a strong free-agent period.

In the end, Burnett wanted more than San Diego was willing to offer, and he ended up signing with Miami.

Burnett had a good season for the Chargers in 2010, with 95 tackles and six sacks, and San Diego wanted him back as part of its 3-4 defense. Now a young player probably will be inserted opposite free-agent signee Takeo Spikes on the inside. Right now, 2010 draft pick Donald Butler (who missed all of his rookie year with an injury) is getting those repetitions with the first team. Second-round pick Jonas Mouton will have a chance to impress in the preseason too, and the Chargers could look for a veteran if the youngsters show they are not ready.

OBSERVATION DECK

•New defensive coordinator Greg Manusky -- who replaced Ron Rivera, now the head coach in Carolina -- lets his presence be known. He is a high-energy coach who is not afraid to bark instructions constantly. No need to worry about the San Diego defense falling flat after being ranked No. 1 in the NFL last year.

•Spikes has looked good. He is 34, but he played for Manusky in San Francisco last year and has Manusky's trust. Spikes has never played for a winner and seems energized by being part of this roster.

•Rookie free-agent quarterback Scott Tolzien has looked good in camp. The Wisconsin product is a smart player who may be a nice developmental prospect.

•The Chargers are not overly concerned about the foot injury hampering star tight end Antonio Gates, who started camp on the physically unable to perform list because of the plantar fascia injury that ended his 2010 season prematurely. The team will be cautious, and Gates is expected to be ready for the season.

•Louis Vasquez and Tyronne Green continue to vie for the right guard spot. Vasquez had been the starter, but Green proved to be a worthy injury replacement for Vasquez and now is hoping for more playing time.

•Sixth-round pick Jordan Todman is running the ball well. He could make a contribution as a rookie replacement for the departed Darren Sproles.

•Cornerback Antoine Cason is going to take over punt returns now that Sproles is gone.

•Defensive tackle Antonio Garay doesn’t look like a one-year wonder. He is having a strong camp after a huge season in 2010.

•The Chargers have loved what they've seen from rookie cornerback Marcus Gilchrist so far. He may have a chance to contribute.

•Last year, Chargers camp was dampened by the holdouts of Jackson and left tackle Marcus McNeill. This year, there is contract harmony after several players received new deals. It wouldn't surprise me to see Tolbert, Cason and center Nick Hardwick also get new deals in the next year.
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Camp Confidential: Minnesota Vikings

Excerpts:

THREE BIG ISSUES

1. How quickly can the Vikings install Bill Musgrave's new offense? Players are learning different terminology and an entirely new scheme, one that will roughly resemble what the Atlanta Falcons run under coordinator Mike Mularkey. Rookie quarterback Christian Ponder received a partial playbook during the one-day lockout respite in April, and he helped distribute it to teammates by making copies himself.

Still, Musgrave freely admits there isn't enough time to install everything. He has cut back the volume of the playbook and won't have his full arsenal installed for some time, if at all, in 2011.

"We're in uncharted territory," he said. "We've never been through anything like this, whether as a coach or a player. We're trying to be smart in whittling down the volume that we present to the players. We want to be diverse and difficult to defend on offense, but at the same time, we want to know what the hell we're doing. We also want to get these guys back in football shape, so we don't want to work hard mindlessly. We want to work smart. We're balancing all those factors."

For now, at least, less will have to be more.

2. Cedric Griffin's quick recovery: I'm not sure if Griffin's story has gotten enough national attention, but it will be remarkable if it holds up. Griffin tore both anterior cruciate ligaments in a span of 10 months, starting with the right knee in January 2010 and then the left knee last October. But doctors cleared him for full participation when training camp began and he was working with the first team throughout my three days in Mankato.

Griffin was never the fastest cornerback in the NFL, and it's fair to wonder how two major knee surgeries will impact his ability to run downfield with receivers. But the Vikings appear to be counting on Griffin, who is backed up by a pair of young cornerbacks -- Chris Cook and Asher Allen -- who each struggled last season.

Griffin probably won't play in the preseason opener, but Frazier said he has every intent of starting him in the Sept. 11 season opener against the San Diego Chargers. Said Griffin: "Injuries are a part of this game. If you get hurt, you get back up and continue to work hard. That's what I do."

3. Replacing Sidney Rice: The reality is the Vikings weren't going to find a receiver who could duplicate Rice's ball skills and leaping ability. Instead, they signed Michael Jenkins to offer reliable hands and precise routes. They renegotiated the contract of receiver Bernard Berrian, who should be motivated to put aside two lost years caused by a poor connection with former quarterback Brett Favre.

Most of all, however, the Vikings have thrust their faith behind third-year pro Percy Harvin, whom they hope will be their pseduo-No. 1 receiver and the top playmaker in their passing game. At 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, Harvin doesn't have the prototypical size for that role. But he has already earned the respect of McNabb, for one.

"I have played with guys that play big, but are short in stature and have been so successful," McNabb said. "You talk about guys like DeSean Jackson and Santana Moss. There is no reason why Percy can't be a perennial Pro Bowler, as a starter at the receiver position with over 1,000 yards receiving, 90-100 catches."

BIGGEST SURPRISE

The release of left tackle Bryant McKinnie could qualify as both the biggest surprise and biggest disappointment of the Vikings' summer. We'll classify it as the former because no one, not even Frazier, saw these circumstances coming. Specimens like McKinnie, who is 6-foot-8 with a 94-inch wingspan, are rare and can take years to suitably replace.

Last week, I suggested McKinnie's departure was a warning shot to a roster that might have underestimated Frazier's demeanor. But I really don't think Frazier arrived at training camp intending to make that kind of splash, a belief Frazier reinforced during an interview.

"It really wasn't intended to send a message to our team," he said. "I had not planned in this offseason to have a new left tackle. That was not the plan. It was just a matter to do what's best for our team and our organization. If there is anything from them to get from this, it's that. That's why I did what I did it. Every decision I make is going to be what's best to bring a championship to Minnesota. No hidden agenda. No personal agenda, that was it."

Indeed, Frazier could have chosen a less crucial position if he was just looking to make a point. No, Frazier arrived in Mankato to find he had an unexpected crisis on his hands: a key player who was in no condition to play anytime soon. The Vikings planned for uncertainty at quarterback. They orchestrated intentional changes at receiver and defensive line. All the while, they were counting on McKinnie as their left tackle. His condition stunned and angered them and will leave them weakened for some time.

MOST DELICATE JOB

The Vikings acquired McNabb for the shortest of short-term jobs: To help them win until Ponder is ready to start. In order to give McNabb a fair chance to do that, Frazier and Musgrave must give him unconditional support. But they'll have to do it while keeping one eye on Ponder's development as well.

The first week of training camp suggested the Vikings aren't close to having a quarterback controversy on their hands. McNabb authoritatively took control of the offense, working with several veterans at a local high school until he was eligible to practice, and then learning enough of the playbook to effect a smooth transition on his first day as the starter.

Ponder, on the other hand, looked like a rookie in his first week of professional practices. He displayed a quick release and an obvious ability to throw on the run, but his inexperience manifested itself in poor downfield accuracy and some bad interceptions.

McNabb's one-year, $5.05 million contract doesn't suggest he is in the team's long-term plans. But Frazier said he hasn't given much thought to the eventual quarterback succession, and I for one believe him.

"I really haven't thought that far ahead," Frazier said. "From time to time I'll look a little bit ahead, but there is so much to get done right now. It's all-encompassing. So to start saying right now what we're going to do a year from now or two years from now, that we're going to do this or that in certain positions. ... With all the changes we're having in 2011, you better get your focus on right now or you'll look back and regret certain things."

OBSERVATION DECK

• After spending four seasons in a West Coast, zone-blocking scheme, tailback Adrian Peterson appears invigorated by the potential of Musgrave's offense. "The running back is definitely asked to do a lot more," Peterson said. "I'm excited about it. [There are] different formations, different looks that a running back has outside of the box. I'm excited to get this installed in my mind, this playbook, and get out there on Sunday to showcase the new Vikings offense." If all goes as planned, Peterson will play a much bigger role in the Vikings' downfield passing game than in previous years.

• Peterson wants to be on the field for every play, but obviously the Vikings will need to establish both a backup and some potential relief on third down as well. Conventional wisdom suggests it will be Toby Gerhart, a second-round pick in 2010 who ran for 322 yards in limited service as last season. But I wouldn't rule out fourth-year pro Lorenzo Booker, a late addition last season who could also return kickoffs. During full-padded goal-line drills, Booker hit the holes quicker and more decisively than Gerhart, who seems to need time to gather a head of steam.

• The Vikings' left tackle transition has attracted national attention, but it's not the only offensive line position in flux. Right guard Anthony Herrera is still recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered last November and has not yet returned to practice. His status for the start of the regular season is uncertain at best. The Vikings are using second-year player Chris DeGeare in his spot, but they also re-signed veteran Ryan Cook as a possible alternative. From what I saw, neither player can match Herrera's aggressive play. On the plus side, Hutchinson and right tackle Phil Loadholt both reported to camp in the best shape of their Vikings careers.

• While the offense is under significant schematic renovation, the defense doesn't appear much different under new coordinator Fred Pagac. That's no surprise. Pagac was the Vikings' linebackers coach for five years, including four under Frazier, and will run a similar hybrid form of the so-called "Tampa-2" scheme. Pagac implied that his game-day calls might be more aggressive than Frazier's, and there was plenty of blitzing during the team drills I saw. "The calls might be a little different according to the different situations but that's just a difference in philosophy," Pagac said. "Our defense is going to be the Viking defense that you've seen here for the last five years except again, we're going to push running to the football, playing with our hair on fire and having fun. We're going to get after it."

• Fourth-year pro Erin Henderson is working with the first team at outside linebacker, the position vacated by the unsigned Ben Leber. It's not clear if Henderson is merely the first of a rotation of players who will get an opportunity or if the Vikings intend for him to be their starter. Henderson has been a good special-teams player but hasn't previously done much to distinguish himself on defense. Another candidate, Kenny Onatolu, is recovering from a stress fracture in his foot.
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(RotoWire) According to the Bears' first official depth chart, Williams is penciled as a starting wideout along with Devin Hester, ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Johnny Knox and Earl Bennett are currently listed as second-stringers. While it's possible that could shuffle around a bit, a change of scenery after his frustrating tenure with the Cowboys could be just what Williams needs. A bounce-back on his part is certainly plausible, assuming he can develop some good chemistry with strong-armed QB Jay Cutler.

just saying...badabing for Roy Williams?

 
49ers practice notes: Kaepernick's progress

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- A few thoughts after watching a third consecutive day of San Francisco 49ers practices:

[*]Rookies have performed better than Harbaugh expected given the condensed offseason. Second-round pick Colin Kaepernick is furthest along among draft choices and undrafted free agents. Coach Jim Harbaugh: "He's really ready. I was worried for the rookies because they didn't have the OTAs and minicamps, that preseason games would come, cuts would come and maybe the light wouldn't go on soon enough for them because they didn't know what to do, and we would overlook a player who had a chance to help our football team. That has been the surprise thing to me, just how well our rookies are doing. ... 'Kap' really is leading the way in that."

[*]The 49ers expect Kaepernick and the three other quarterbacks to play in their exhibition opener against New Orleans on Friday.

[*]The 49ers finished practice 12 minutes early thanks to the fast tempo Harbaugh encourages. The team continues to work through post-lockout procedural issues, notably center-quarterback exchanges. Harbaugh: "Not 100 percent perfect, not 100 percent right, and to be honest with you, I don't want it 100 percent right or perfect. Then it wouldn't be challenging enough."

[*]Harbaugh said practices have improved each of the past three days. Monday's session appeared particularly sharp. There have been more dropped passes and misfires over the past couple days. Alex Smith threw behind Josh Morgan on one play, and Morgan couldn't hold on. Tight end Delanie Walker dropped a pass. Smith threw high and missed tight end Konrad Reuland. What does it all mean? There's room for improvement and improved consistency. Players could be getting anxious to play a game against another team.

[*]The coaching staff is adjusting to NFL logistics for play-calling. The game against the Saints will give Harbaugh and his offensive staff a chance to use radio headsets. Coaches use hand signals to relay play calls on the college level.

[*]Harbaugh said he thinks the first 11 practices will mean more in the evaluation process than the first exhibition game.

[*]Newly re-signed safety Dashon Goldson was back at practice and spoke with reporters afterward. The free-agent experience was frustrating for him, Goldson said. He said New England made a contract offer to him, but his heart was with the 49ers. Goldson's West Coast roots apparently came into play in the absence of a dramatically larger long-term offer elsewhere. Goldson: "This is home for me. Unfortunately, it didn't work out long term. But as long as I got another opportunity to be here, I was going to take that."

[*]Harbaugh, on how much player-organized workouts during the offense helped early in camp: "Very much. It's been very noticeable with all of our offensive players that they did significant work and study in the offseason, the camps where they got together and all those things has resulted in a unit that is ahead of any I have just gotten together with and installed after 11 practices."

[*]Braylon Edwards has suffered from tightness in his legs, but he said he's healthy heading into the exhibition opener. He's focused on getting to know his quarterback, Smith, in an effort to understand how best to communicate. Edwards: "He's a cool guy. Alex is always here, he is always about football and he is always open to extra work. That makes it easy."

[*]Edwards on injured receiver Michael Crabtree: "Crab has been around. He is very smart. He is in our meetings. He is very attentive. He goes over plays, he knows what he and the other receivers are supposed to be doing. He comes out here to practice, he watches, we go over some things when I'm not in. I feel like we can have a real good rapport." Edwards, the third overall choice in 2005, said high draft choices often wind up with struggling teams, and it's important for all of them, including Crabtree, to persevere.

[*]Edwards is giving the 49ers needed size and talent at receiver in Crabtree's absence. He's just different physically from the other receivers participating in practice. Initial impressions are positive.

[*]I'm heading to the airport shortly and looking forward to writing my "Camp Confidential" piece on the 49ers for Thursday.
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Panthers camp report: Rivera begins building process

Observation deck

1. Ron Rivera is earning respect. Besides coming in with a positive approach after a woeful 2-14 season, the new coach has gained support from his players by not being overbearing and trying to establish himself as the team's front man. Rivera has been blunt but consistent with players in not bringing up the franchise's recent history -- bad or good.

"I've been here since '03 and we've run the gantlet of success and failure," said tackle Jordan Gross, who admitted he loved playing for former coach John Fox. "(Rivera) is talking about a new start and building something here which is exciting for me. It's like a brand new organization.

"I told Steve (Smith) when he was talking about getting traded that we are fortunate because we get to stay at home but go to a new team at the same time."

2. The Panthers are getting more bang for their bucks. Carolina re-signed or extended a number of core veterans, including RB DeAngelo Williams, LB Jon Beason, LB Thomas Davis, LB James Anderson and DE Charles Johnson. The effect of the heavy spending goes far beyond simply retaining some of the team's best players, according to Gross.

"It's huge (because) it gives guys a sense of belief in this organization, and a sense of belonging," Gross said. "When (Julius) Peppers left that was a big blow to the organization and to the locker room. It was like, 'If he's not staying, who can?'" Who else would you want on your team? They come back the next year and sign DeAngelo, C.J., the linebacking corps.

"You want to draft and have your drafted guys turn into starters and stars in the league. To build a long-lasting team you got to keep those guys on the roster. Guys are more in tune with that logo on their helmet now than just the name on the back of their shirt."

3. Please send help for Steve Smith. Before breaking his finger, Smith had been stellar on and off the field during training camp. His sure-handedness and play-making skills haven’t trickled down. Second-year player Armanti Edwards is much better than he was as a rookie and will be working a lot out of the slot, but David Gettis and Brandon LaFell, according to a team source, have been inconsistent and have been told to step things up. Former Chargers wide receiver Legedu Naanee looks like a pretty solid lock to eventually be the No. 2 receiver.

4. The defensive end rotation is strong. Johnson was recently re-signed to a six-year, $72 million contract after his strong 2010 season. He will start at right end but will flip to the left side depending on matchups.

Though the coaching staff is impressed with second-year player Eric Norwood, who is listed as the starter at left end at this point, the plan eventually is for Greg Hardy to be the starter when the regular season opens. Hardy was in a motorcycle accident before training camp and suffered several skin lacerations. He could return soon but the training staff doesn't want to risk infections. The three-man rotation of Johnson, Hardy and Norwood has coaches excited. They're hoping Everette Brown steps up, but he could just be limited to pass-rushing duties.

5. Jon Beason is staying put. Rivera and his staff thought seriously about moving Beason, the veteran Pro Bowl middle linebacker, to the weak side. That was until they spoke to Beason, who told them he would play wherever they wanted him to but when he lined up in the middle “things slowed down.” The Panthers considered using Dan Connor in the middle but when Beason said what he said, then went out in training camp and showed how cerebral and good he was, a decision was made quickly that he would stay in the middle. Connor has been getting a lot of reps in practice and likely will in the preseason as Beason has tendinitis in his foot and is not going through a heavy workload.

6. The offensive line is a strength. Right tackle Jeff Otah, who missed all of last season after knee surgery, is still working his way into form. Rivera said he's expecting big things from Otah. Center Ryan Kalil is excellent and is the next player likely to receive a contract extension. He's currently under the franchise tag.

The question is at right guard. Geoff Schwartz is the projected starter but he's down with a hip injury. Mackenzy Bernadeau and Duke Robinson provide adequate depth. Travelle Wharton is established at left guard and Jordan Gross is among the better left tackles in the game.

New guy watch

» Cam Newton. When I mentioned to Rivera the work ethic of the other quarterbacks in the NFC South -- Drew Brees, Josh Freeman and Matt Ryan -- the coach immediately said Newton might belong in that group. One of the things that's been most pleasant about Newton, according to Rivera and others with the team, is that he works. The rookie is putting in overtime and teammates are recognizing.

» Sione Fua. The third-round pick is going to start the preseason opener at nose tackle and he's already established himself as a rotational player. He's athletic, which is what Rivera wants up front. Still, Carolina is going to have to use a lot of players at defensive tackle to effectively slow down things in the running game. Rookie Terrell McClain also has turned a lot of heads as the three-technique defensive tackle.

» Derek Anderson. Though he's not new to the league, the quarterback has been a good veteran to have in camp, Rivera said. Anderson's still learning the system but he's helped Newton and Jimmy Clausen understand some of the nuances of practice, like executing in seven-on-seven drills. Anderson's the No. 3 QB but Rivera told me they like the security of having him on the roster.

» Kealoha Pilares. Sleeper alert! This receiver/return man could be a dark horse to crack the receiver rotation. The rookie from Hawaii has “flashed,” several times, according to Rivera. During the practice I witnessed, he did more than flash. The slot receiver is shifty, quick and determined. He’s definitely someone to keep an eye on.

Overheard

"I was a nobody before I got the contract and I'm going to keep playing like I'm a nobody."

--Charles Johnson, who signed a six-year, $72 million deal to stay in Carolina after posting 11.5 sacks and 62 tackles last season.

Prediction

The coaching staff said they're going to play the quarterback who is most game-ready. Frankly, that's Anderson, but he's not going to get the nod. My take is that if Newton looks like he can handle the pressure and deal with some of the in-game adjustments and play calls in the preseason, he'll be the starter Week 1. From Matt Ryan to Sam Bradford to Matthew Stafford, coaches have said what Rivera is selling about playing who is the most game-ready knowing the goal is to get the rookie quarterback ready to start from the outset. I've got a feeling that will be the case with Newton.
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Cardinals camp report: Revamped roster gives reason for hope

Observation deck

1. The Cardinals are much better at tight end. Even in the Super Bowl season, Arizona didn't scare anyone at tight end. The Cardinals have added veterans Todd Heap and Jeff King, and are high on rookie Rob Housler. They are working on some very interesting offensive packages using multiple tight ends.

2. Dan Williams has to get in shape. The Cardinals really don't have an answer at nose tackle if Williams doesn't get it together. He looked good on tape during the practices but can't sustain his play. Panic has yet to set in, especially since former Steelers coaches now with the Cardinals remember that Casey Hampton came to camp in poor shape and needed the preseason to get physically ready for the season.

3. The right side of the offensive line has work to do. From the center to the left tackle, the Cardinals look ready to go under the direction of position coach Russ Grimm. The right side of guard Deuce Lutui (overweight) and tackle Brandon Keith (coming off a knee injury) needs to improve to solidify the line. Kolb has had a decent pocket to throw from, but the Cardinals need more up front.

4. Second-year guys looking good. Two players from the 2010 draft look ready to make a move. Linebacker Daryl Washington is playing fast and will be disruptive. Wide receiver Andre Roberts has gone from a guy who probably shouldn't have made the team as a rookie to a probable starter.

5. Adrian Wilson's health is a concern. He has a torn right biceps tendon and no one is sure that he will play in 2011. At this point, there's some optimism that treatment is the right course to take, but stay tuned over the next few weeks. Wilson on the sideline would be a major setback.

New guys

» Kevin Kolb. I watched his first five throws in the inter-squad scrimmage and it was clear he has what it takes to change the Cardinals around. He has a very lively arm and solid mechanics. He assured me that the switch from a West Coast offense to a digit system hasn't been that difficult.

» Patrick Peterson. On tape, he's already solid, especially if he's in any form of man coverage. He's working hard to make his zone coverage on par with everything else he does so well. Peterson told me he likes the opportunity to see the quarterback in zone coverage and working to close on receivers that want to break routes off. This guy has a chance to be the Defensive Rookie of the Year.

» DeMarco Sampson. Keep your eye on this seventh-round pick. Kolb, Larry Fitzgerald and some coaches all mentioned Sampson numerous times as a big guy with speed, route running and hands.

Overheard

Larry Fitzgerald on what Todd Heap can mean to the offense: "Todd can split the safeties and needs to be respected up the seams. We haven't had that in the past."

Prediction

The Cardinals made a big move trading for Kolb. After watching him practice, studying the tapes and talking with him, it looks like a much better move than I anticipated. Kolb makes Arizona competitive right now. Coupled with the way the defense seems to be using an attacking scheme, look for the Cardinals to be in the division race right to the end.
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Bucs camp report: Young talent hoping to take playoff step

Observation deck

1. The Bucs are physically bigger -- in a good way. General manager Mark Dominik told me that the team planned to add more size overall -- most notably on the defensive side. Rookie end Da'Quan Bowers, at 280-plus pounds, is a specimen who seriously looks like more of a 3-4 end. Though he's hardly proven to be this type of player, his body type is like that of Arizona's Darnell Dockett. The running backs and receivers also are huge. Dominik told me that they haven't lost any speed or athleticism with the added beef.

2. The team is treating things as if Aqib Talib will be around Despite the stud cornerback facing felony assault charges, Talib is working with the starters and, by all accounts, is having a good camp. Behind the scenes, though, the team is cognizant that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell could discipline Talib. The specter of Talib, who has been suspended before, being sidelined is a reason why there was so much conjecture for Tampa Bay to get a starting-caliber corner in free agency. Instead, they held firm because management and coaches feel that E.J. Biggers and Myron Lewis are capable. That faith better be on point, with the Saints and Falcons poised to unleash multiple-receiver sets at will.

To note, the Bucs plan to wait until the judicial system runs its course before deciding what action to take with Talib.

3. LeGarrette Blount is still hungry. There was suspicion that Blount, who went undrafted in large part because of maturity issues, might get full of himself after his dazzling rookie season and not stay physically diligent during the lockout. The running back spent the lockout training in Arizona and reshaped his body, coming back even bigger and stronger -- and, most importantly, motivated.

"He came back knowing that he has a starting job and he doesn't want to let that loose," offensive tackle Donald Penn said. "He seems like he's grown up. He hasn't been late to any meeting this year. I know that was a problem sometimes last season, but he seems really focused to take that next step."

4. Blount's backup will be Kregg Lumpkin. Even though Lumpkin had just one carry last season, he's a player the staff is very high on. They are so confident that the big, versatile back can be a factor in the run and passing game that they were fine letting high-character veteran Cadillac Williams walk in free agency.

5. Wide receiver Arrelious (Regis) Benn has been full-go. That's just seven months after major knee surgery. The coaching staff has managed his practice time and will limit him at points in the preseason -- he probably won't play in the opener this week -- but he will be starting alongside Mike Williams.

New guys to watch

» Adrian Clayborn. No player is creating more buzz at training camp -- well, other than quarterback Josh Freeman -- than the rookie defensive end. Everyone knew the first-round draft pick had a great motor, but Clayborn is also disciplined and possesses far more pass-rushing skills than anyone knew. I was told he has the uncanny ability to decipher the depth of the quarterback's drop when he sets to pass, which allows him to take ideal angles.

"He's making me better," Penn said. "We are battling like crazy. He's making me feel like a rookie again, like I'm fighting for a roster spot. He's real quiet, too, almost scary quiet. He gets after it and has great counter moves."

» Mason Foster. Tampa Bay let veteran middle linebacker Barrett Ruud leave in free agency because it thinks it can get immediate bounce from third-round pick Mason Foster from Washington. At 241 pounds, Foster is already 20 pounds or so heavier than Ruud. He's been able to grasp the responsibility as the play-caller and is the needed physical presence coach Raheem Morris wanted to help solidify the run defense.

» Dezmon Briscoe. The Cincinnati Bengals didn't appreciate it when the Bucs poached the wide receiver off their practice squad last season. They plan to showcase Briscoe this season and prove sometimes ruthless swiping of players is worth it. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder is a solid route runner who might have the best hands on the team. He needs to be more consistent and diligent about his craft, according to a team source, but he could end up being a significant contributor to a youthful receiving corps.

Overheard

There is a lot of faith being placed in the defensive line to help the secondary. The front four -- Bowers, Clayborn, Gerald McCoy, Roy Miller (and second-year DT Brian Price) -- is young, but Dominik believes the talent level, combined with the coaching, could really cause problems for opponents.

Prediction

As long as Freeman is healthy, the Bucs have a chance to win the most competitive division in football. I'm still a little wary that they might not have fortified enough on defense, especially in the secondary. Even so, the players have bought in -- especially to Freeman. While getting past the Saints and Falcons won't be easy, the Bucs are a team on the rise.
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Under-the-radar rookies poised to impress during preseason

Even though it's early in training camp, some young players once thought of as camp bodies or practice-squad candidates are starting to make strong impressions.

On my camp tour, a number of rookies have stood out. Here are the players poised to take advantage of their particular situation and make a name for themselves in the preseason.

Jordan Cameron, TE, Browns, fourth-rounder

This former basketball player from USC has already demonstrated he can block and run outstanding routes. Cameron should be able to deliver the same kind of performance Jimmy Graham, also a former basketball player, did for the Saints as a rookie.

Baron Batch, RB, Steelers, seventh-rounder

Batch might have been the most impressive guy I have seen at camp so far in terms of toughness. He's an outstanding pass protector and receiver for the third-down package.

Jonas Mouton, LB, Chargers, second-rounder

Mouton might not start right away but he's turned his coach's head with some of the ferocious tackles he's delivered. He will be an immediate factor on special teams and will do more by season's end.

DeMarco Sampson, WR, Cardinals, seventh-rounder

When veteran receivers and assistant coaches tell you to keep your eye on a rookie when you get to camp there's a reason. Sampson's a big, strong receiver who has a chance to make this team. He looked good driving off the line of scrimmage and getting into the vertical game.

Casey Matthews, LB, Eagles, fourth-rounder

When I watched Matthews at the Senior Bowl, I felt he would be outstanding on special teams and as a potential backup. He's already exceeded those expectations, calling the defense from the middle linebacker spot.

Roy Helu, RB, Redskins, fourth-rounder

Mike Shanahan is famous for finding 1,000-yard runners in the middle rounds, and he might have done it again with Helu.

Sione Fua, DT, Panthers, third-rounder

Fua is benefiting from a team in rebuilding mode and an injury at his position. He'll get every chance to win a starting job, or at least be in a three-man rotation.

Jaiquawn Jarrett, S, Eagles, second-rounder

Jarrett is a kid who grew up in Brooklyn, in the hotbed of basketball, and excelled at Temple. Right now, he has a solid chance to start for the Eagles. He's a good tackler and extremely smart. Time will tell if he can cover in the matchup game offenses will throw at him.
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Edit: Batch is done for the year:Baron Batch Out For Year With Torn ACL

 
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First-round pick Jonathan Baldwin has reportedly shown an "absolute inability" to deal with press coverage so far in Chiefs camp.

Observed Nick Wright of 610 Kansas City, "When he's been jammed, I haven't seen him catch one." Wright concedes that Baldwin has impressed when faced with off coverage, but defensive coordinators aren't dumb enough to let him get a running start. It's notable that the K.C. Star has predicted Jerheme Urban will start opposite Dwayne Bowe this season. Steve Breaston would be the slot receiver, relegating Baldwin to a No. 4 receiver role.
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Source: Nick Wright on Twitte
 
I'm really surprised by this.

Rookie Leonard Hankerson has reportedly continued to struggle with drops at Redskins training camp.According to Rich Campbell of the Washington Times, "the frequency at which he drops passes is a bit stunning." Hankerson had one drop Wednesday, and another report stated that he had two on Tuesday. Redskins beat writers have all taken note of Hankerson's talent, but he won't play early if he can't catch the ball.
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Source: Washington Times
 
Postcard from camp: Cowboys

Excerpts:

Three Observations

1. Tony Romo seems poised to become the leader everyone always envisioned him being. After suffering a broken collarbone that limited him to just six games last season, Romo isn't merely looking forward to entering his eighth NFL season and sixth as a starter. He's embarking upon what he's calling the "second phase" of his career. "There's no more individual goals," he says. "I'm to the point where it's about winning."

Perhaps no quarterback over the past five years has been more vexing for fans. Romo has all the talent in the world, evident in the way he's been slinging the ball around the Alamodome as if he wasn't hurt last year and there was no lockout this offseason. His footwork is sharp, his passes crisp, and the timing with receivers such as Miles Austin has shown few signs of rust.

Romo, at 31, began redefining his leadership during player-organized workouts this offseason and has continued to blossom in camp. He's more vocal and more authoritative, getting on rookies and asserting himself with a young receiving corps. He credits the transformation less to an epiphany and more to feeling comfortable in the pecking order.

"If you're a freshman or a sophomore in high school and you're starting, it's difficult to get on the seniors -- the people who have been through it and have the skins on the wall," he says. "When you enter that next phase of your career, you've become a senior and you need to bring other guys with you."

What will it take for Romo to completely establish himself in the next phase?

"He's pretty polished," quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson says. "The main thing is we have to get in the playoffs and have some success, that would be the next part of his career. He's doing his part, no question ... It's tough to come in as an undrafted free agent and become the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys, that's a big journey right there and he's handled it extremely well."

2. New defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is the exact opposite of head coach/offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. Their duality might be the best thing going for the Cowboys. The differences are seemingly endless. Ryan is large, long-haired, loud-mouthed, fiery and brash. When he's not actually participating in drills, he's often just a few yards away, bent at the waist with hands on knees and watching so intently you'd think the season was on the line. "I don't know if we win the all-hype team, I think that might have gone to somebody else," he said this preseason, no doubt referring to the Eagles' so-called Dream Team, "but we're going to beat their ### when we play them."

Garrett is slender, with close-cropped hair, and professorial. Calm and calculating, he tends to watch from afar, blending into a crowd while soaking everything in. His perfect posture never wavers. Whether on the field or walking through an empty hallway, he carries himself with the gait of a drill sergeant, always on point. Garrett talks with his hands, conveying precision. Ryan talks with his arms and torso, suggesting power. Each coordinator's personality couldn't be better suited for his side of the ball.

"Rob's defense speaks for itself. He brings a swagger and a confidence. You want to play better for him. It's contagious throughout the team," tight end Jason Witten says. "Then you have Jason being calm, cool and collected, keeping everything in order. It's a great marriage and we get the best of both worlds."

3. Welcome to your new life, Felix Jones. By all accounts, the fourth-year back would prefer not be at the center of any attention. He's shy and soft-spoken. When practice ends, he'll slip out of his jersey and head toward a back exit, making it hard for reporters to spot his number and pull him aside. Avoiding the spotlight, of course, won't be easy now that the Cowboys have parted ways with Marion Barber, setting Jones up to take over as the starting tailback.

Jones has never carried the ball more than 185 times in a season (by comparison, the top 15 most-used backs in 2010 averaged 288 touches), nor has he been asked to shoulder the expectations that come with being a feature back, on the field or off, either in college or the NFL. If Dallas has any shot of being a contender, Jones will have to run like a deer but take a pounding like never before -- from defenses and the press.

Step On Up

Dez Bryant, wide receiver. The Cowboys have been impressed with Dez Bryant, which isn't to say they were worried about the receiver's ability to improve upon his rookie numbers (45 catches for 561 yards and six touchdowns) or come back from the broken right fibula he suffered in December.

You might recall Bryant creating a stir in camp last year when he refused to partake in the time-honored tradition of hazing and didn't carry Roy Williams' shoulder pads. You might've also heard about his recent off-field issues -- widely reported allegations that he owes nearly a million dollars in debt, and his run-in with police this spring over sagging pants that led to his ejection from an upscale Dallas mall. According to other reports, his fines for tardiness last season escalated into six figures.

Can the Cowboys count on him to replace the recently cut Williams? So far, so good.

Perhaps QB coach Wade Wilson had the best insight when talking about Tony Romo's growing confidence. "There's no diva that he feels forced to get the ball to -- to placate the guys and make them happy all the time," Wilson said. "He's a lot more relaxed and doesn't have a diva out here that he's having to deal with. It seems like a closer unit."

So Bryant isn't a diva? Not even the slightest bit?

"He's one of the most improved guys," Wilson says. "He's taken a much more serious approach. He's having fun. He never complains. He's a lot more professional."

Asked what he hoped to achieve his during sophomore season, Bryant said, "I need to be where I'm supposed to be, and doing what I'm supposed to be doing, every day. I want to be accountable to my teammates and the organization."

Only time will tell.

New Face, New Place

When the Cowboys selected Tyron Smith with the ninth overall pick in this year's draft, it was the first lineman the organization had taken in the first round since 1981. And it's easy to see why. The 6'5", 307-pound behemoth out of USC seemingly dwarfs his comrades on the offensive line, where he's expected to start at right tackle. The most important thing he needs to do? Don't let anyone get a clean shot at Tony Romo like the one Giants linebacker Michael Boley took last October, when Boley drove Romo into the ground and broke his collarbone.

Looking At The Schedule ...

The Cowboys were 1-7 when Jason Garrett was named interim head coach last year, and 5-3 afterward -- a turnaround that helped land him the permanent job and proved that Dallas, despite losing its starting quarterback and struggling mightily on defense, had enough talent to win. There's reason for optimism following the first losing season in six years, even in a division that's stacked with the reloaded Eagles and a Giants team that has a chip on its shoulder after winning 10 games and missing the playoffs in 2010.

Aside from opening the season on the road against the Jets -- a much-anticipated showdown between defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and his brother Rex -- the first few weeks are favorable (49ers, Redskins and Lions). They're just three of the nine games the Cowboys have against teams that finished 2010 with a losing record. Also working in their favor, they'll only face four playoff teams from a year ago, one of them being the Seahawks, who were only a game better in the win column than Dallas.

In Week 6 the Cowboys travel to New England, but they're coming off a bye week and could pull out a win. Two weeks later they're in Philadelphia, constituting the toughest stretch until the final four weeks, when they play the Giants at home, the Buccaneers on the road, the Eagles at home and the Giants on the road.
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Postcard from camp: Titans

Excerpts:

Three Observations

1. The Titans love them some drama. For the second straight season Chris Johnson is holding out for more money and Kenny Britt is trying to inspire a few positive headlines after creating a flurry of negative ones for his run-ins with the law. And last week Cortland Finnegan bolted from camp, citing a personal issue. He returned on Monday and explained the real reason he left was because he was upset over contract talks and wanted to huddle with his wife, Lacey, about his next move. (The team extended him in August 2008, and he is going into the final year of that deal, making more than $3.7 million this season.)

"Was it wrong? Absolutely," Finnegan said as part of a lengthy public apology. "But it was something that I needed to talk about with her." Will he be fined? Almost certainly, said new coach Mike Munchak, and the price for missing a day of camp is now $30,000 under the new CBA. Gotta spend money to make money, right?

2. Jake Locker isn't ready for prime time -- yet. You expect a rookie passer to have a few balls get away from him, but not while throwing against air. Such was the case for Locker, whose performance in receiver drills was a far cry from his near perfect pro day in March. Some of that is a function of the lockout. (In a typical offseason, he would've had thousands more throws underneath him by now.) Some of that is just the fact that Locker has always been a much better thrower on the run.

Only when pressured in scrimmages did Locker consistently find his targets, and he was on the money rolling to his right. Still, there's no doubt he has the skill set and the discipline to get all the steps down. One veteran training camp observer told me he thinks Locker's already further along than Vince Young was at the same point.

3. We are family. Looking at the Titans coaches run through practice, you'd think you were at an Oilers reunion. Defensive coordinator Jerry Gray played with Munchak, a Hall of Fame offensive lineman, in 1992. Offensive coordinator Chris Palmer coached receivers that year. When asked about deepening the Titans' historic roots in February, Munchak said, "That's not something I even think about when I'm looking at people. "It just happens it's been falling that way so far."

But then he hired another former Oiler, Hall of Fame teammate Bruce Matthews, to replace him as offensive line coach. And then another, Frank Bush, to coach linebackers. And they join yet one more, secondary coach Marcus Robertson, a former All-Pro safety. So if you've got any powder blue jerseys or oil rig helmets that need signing, come on down! They'll be here all week.

Step On Up

Tracy Rocker, defensive line coach. Jim Washburn might be one of the finest position coaches in the league, and losing him to the Eagles in the offseason was a big blow. But his replacement is no slouch. Not only did Rocker play the position in college -- and well enough at Auburn to earn induction into the College Football Hall -- but also in his 17 years as a college coach he's developed a number of future stars, including DeMarcus Ware, Osi Umenyiora and Nick Fairley.

Whereas in the past Titan linemen were tasked with getting to the quarterback at all costs, this year they'll take more of a read-and-react approach. "We all want to sack the quarterback; I understand that," Rocker said. "But the quarterback might drop back 50 times. Hopefully you get four to five sacks a game. No one accounts for the other 44 or 45 times. Those are the things that I'm trying to make sure we're better at in terms of pushing the pocket and taking passing lanes away."

New Face, New Place

Matt Hasselbeck is hard to miss. He doesn't have all of the playbook down yet, or his full complementary cast (beside the aforementioned Johnson holdout, Britt is limited with a hamstring injury). But he's making the most of his new challenges and having fun tweaking his old-school coach.

Throughout camp, Munchak has pitted offense against defense in mini-competitions. Tuesday's edition, a one-on-one receiver drill, would have ended in victory for the offense had not a receiver taunted after the catch. As the official loser, Hasselbeck and the rest of his unit had to do a series of up-downs -- kind of a half push-up, half stationary run, but in rapid succession. "That made us very sloppy for the next period," Hasselbeck joked. "That might be Munch's way of getting back at a coach who did something to him back in the day. I know he's got the offensive linemen on that sled. He couldn't have liked the sled as a player."

Looking at the Schedule

The first five games -- three of them on the road -- could be rough, but then the Titans get four of their next six at LP Field. If they can make the most of that homestand, they leave themselves room for error in season-ending matchups at Indianapolis, against Jacksonville and at Houston -- games that might well decide who goes to the playoffs as division champs and who goes as the wild card.
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Camp Confidential: San Francisco 49ers

Excerpts:

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. Can Harbaugh fix Alex Smith? It's a tantalizing question for those still hopeful Smith might develop into a viable starter. There's no doubt Harbaugh brings more offensive expertise to the job than his recent predecessors did. Smith has embraced learning from a coach with Harbaugh's understanding of the position. One veteran player said Smith never lost the locker room, in part because teammates knew the deck was stacked against him. "It's hard to describe what it's been like in the past as far as schematics go and how difficult it is to deal with, the situations we're put in as players," the player said. "I think with this new coaching staff, they want to put you in position to be successful. It's not just, 'We're going to run power because we're physical and we don't care if they have nine guys in the box.' Look at all the weapons we have, put them with our coaching staff and I think he's going to be productive." As always, though, it comes down to whether Smith can get it done during games. He's usually said the right things and taken the right approach during the offseason.

2. Why so many changes on defense? The 49ers absorbed criticism early in free agency as players departed and the organization took a measured approach to lining up replacements. Defensive starters Takeo Spikes, Aubrayo Franklin, Manny Lawson and Nate Clements did not return. Another defensive starter, Dashon Goldson, lingered on the market before taking a one-year deal to return. Where was the urgency? It's helpful to remember the team's general manager, Trent Baalke, experienced firsthand the risks associated with aggressive free-agent spending while working for the Washington Redskins from 2001-04. And with a new defensive coordinator in Vic Fangio, priorities changed. Franklin was a pure two-gapping nose tackle. His replacement, Isaac Sopoaga, might be better suited for Fangio's slanting 3-4 scheme featuring fire-zone tactics in doses. The 49ers see the middle of their defense as even stronger following free agency. They love their depth at safety and are expecting a breakout year from NaVorro Bowman at inside linebacker next to Patrick Willis.

3. Can the 49ers 'buy in' yet again? The 49ers are on their third head coach and seventh offensive coordinator since 2005. Most recent seasons have begun with fresh promise, followed by disappointment and even disillusionment. Here comes Harbaugh, full of energy, pumping up hopes once again. I wondered whether players would be too jaded to invest fully from the beginning. "It's not about Harbaugh getting me to buy in again," Pro Bowl tight end Vernon Davis said. "It's not about him. It's about the team wanting to win games. ... There is nothing anybody can do to get me to be involved. I am going to be involved whether they like it or not, because that is what I do. You go through adversity, but you have to keep believing."

BIGGEST SURPRISE

Dashon Goldson's return. The 49ers suddenly have options at safety after Goldson, a 2010 starter, returned on a one-year deal for $2 million. The situation played out perfectly for the team. San Francisco signed Donte Whitner and Madieu Williams in free agency while Goldson tested a soft market. Reggie Smith was having a good camp before suffering a knee injury that will keep him out for at least a couple of weeks. The team still has Taylor Mays as well, at least for now. Whitner (strong) and Goldson (free) project as the likely starters unless Reggie Smith can get healthy enough to make another run at the job before the season. Goldson has plenty of motivation entering a contract year. Whitner started quickly and wore down with Buffalo last season. The 49ers' offense can help him out by sustaining drives and giving the defense some rest.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Michael Crabtree's injury. This marks the third lost offseason in three years for the player San Francisco drafted 10th overall in 2009. Crabtree missed camp and the first six regular-season weeks of his rookie season during a contract dispute. A neck injury prevented him from playing in a single exhibition game last summer. A foot injury has prevented Crabtree from practicing even once at camp this season. The 49ers protected themselves by signing Braylon Edwards to a one-year deal, but they need more in return from their investment in Crabtree.

OBSERVATION DECK

[*]As much as the 49ers valued Spikes, they were ready to go with Bowman next to Willis on the inside. Bowman came on strong late last season, particularly in a Week 17 game against Arizona. The 49ers hope he can become a Jon Beason type. If that happens, they'll have one of the best inside linebacker combinations in the league.

[*]Right guard Chilo Rachal has been inconsistent to this point in his career. His weight is down from the 330 range to about 310 and has dipped closer to 300 after practices. Has Rachal matured and become more serious about his craft? It's too early to say, but at least he reported to camp at a promising weight.

[*]Increasing roster limits from 80 to 90 players has helped Harbaugh transition from college, where programs can bring 105 players to camp. It's common for Harbaugh to send the starting offense against the No. 2 defense on one field, with the backup offense and starting defense on another. That would be unusual in the NFL in the age of 80-man rosters.

[*]In retrospect, it's pretty clear the 49ers were never serious about adding Nnamdi Asomugha, Chad Ochocinco or other big names in free agency. They've given great weight to dynamics within the locker room when deciding which players to pay handsomely.

[*]Running back Frank Gore's brief holdout quickly became a non-story when the team promised to revisit his deal in good faith as the season progresses. Gore appeared in terrific spirits during my visit to camp. At one point during practice, Gore spotted ESPN analyst and former 49ers teammate Trent Dilfer standing near the sideline. He came over to greet Dilfer and then noticed Baalke, the GM, standing nearby. After embracing Dilfer, Gore turned to Baalke and extended a hand. They shook hands and shared a few laughs before Gore returned to his teammates. Gore, upon hearing adoring cries from a fan attending the same practice, broke away to hug her.

[*]The 49ers are banking on a strong relationship between Harbaugh and Baalke. The two became close during the lockout. They are also competitors on the racquetball court, where Harbaugh's competitive edge comes through. Harbaugh has come back from 13-0 and 18-7 deficits to beat his GM. The coach typically begins his comebacks by dropping subtle comments designed to unnerve his opponent. He then changes up his approach, becoming less predictable. Consider it a metaphor for his coaching style. Gone are the days when lining up in a certain formation precipitated running a certain play.

[*]The 49ers are fortunate Harbaugh agreed to retain defensive line coach Jim Tomsula from the previous staff. The bond between Tomsula and players at the position is uncommonly strong. Defensive end Ray McDonald re-signed without even testing free agency. The team made bringing back McDonald a priority, given the premium teams place on defensive linemen in the draft. Losing McDonald might have forced the team to more strongly consider drafting one early.

[*]Edwards' addition at receiver gives the team needed size at the position while Crabtree is unavailable. "The first time I saw him work out here, I thought he was a tight end," safety Curtis Taylor said.

[*]Rookie second-round choice Colin Kaepernick is getting high marks from Harbaugh to this point in camp. Kaepernick's mobility and arm strength stand out during practices. He also has a longer delivery, as advertised. I watched closely to see whether the delivery allowed defensive backs to jump pass routes more ably. That did not appear to be the case in practice. Kaepernick's lean frame made me wonder about his ability to take a hit to the legs. At Harbaugh's direction, quarterbacks are wearing braces on their left knees, which tend to be most vulnerable when right-handed quarterbacks deliver the ball.

[*]Kaepernick will likely get on the field one way or another even if Smith remains the starter. There are no indications Kaepernick will start in Week 1, but Harbaugh isn't making any public declarations.

[*]Fangio has been pushing first-round pick Aldon Smith hard in practice even though Smith flashed plenty of ability early in camp. Smith is grinding a bit while absorbing the defense. He seems to be taking Fangio's criticism in stride.

[*]Harbaugh strongly emphasizes practicing within the context of situations, more so than I would have expected during the early stages of installing the playbook. Some fans attending a recent practice laughed when they saw punter Andy Lee take a snap from center and spike the ball to stop the clock. Count Harbaugh as one of the coaches, Bill Belichick among them, who favor sending on the punt team following third-down plays during two-minute situations when it's not clear whether the offense got a first down. If the offense gets a new set of downs, the punter spikes the ball. If not, the regular punt call remains.

[*]It's not unusual for the 49ers' first-team offense to execute four or more two-minute drills in one day, up from one in the past. Harbaugh frames most practice reps within down, distance and time. Pro Bowl defensive end Justin Smith: "Things are a lot more detailed. Every coach at their position is pretty well near the top. Everything we've heard from them has been right on point."

[*]The quote of camp so far came from another Smith, Alex, when asked about changes on offense: "Obviously, what we were doing wasn't working -- all of us, me included. That is the definition of insanity, right? Doing the same thing and expecting a different result."
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Camp Confidential: Chicago Bears

Excerpts:

THREE BIG ISSUES

1. Coaching pressure: Three years ago, the Bears hired one of the NFL's top defensive line gurus in Rod Marinelli, now their defensive coordinator. Last year, they added a similarly respected offensive line coach in Mike Tice. Both are being asked to develop cohesive groups from a bag of untested ingredients.

Tice has identified five offensive linemen he hopes to start this season, and it's worth noting that only one of them -- left guard Chris Williams -- finished the 2010 season in that role. Tice will need to teach guard Roberto Garza how to play center, where he is in line to replace Kreutz. He'll have to hope that J'Marcus Webb, who had his moments as a right tackle in 2010, can adjust to the more difficult left tackle spot. And he'll have to do it with a mission of cleaning up last season's 56-sack season.

For what it's worth, Tice said, "We're light-years ahead of where we were at last year. Last year we were moving guys around trying to figure out who should be at what position. This year we're getting great work, we have the same five guys in there and we're getting better every day."

Marinelli, meanwhile, has an anchor in defensive end Julius Peppers and a veteran defensive end in Israel Idonije. But he'll be asked to develop a number of young defensive tackles into playmakers, including Henry Melton and rookie Stephen Paea. We'll employ the usual refrain: It's a tough task, but if anyone is up to it, it's Marinelli.

2. Backfield rotation: An intriguing drama is playing out in the Bears backfield, where starter Matt Forte is angling for a new contract, backup Chester Taylor is trying to rebound from a statistically horrendous season and Barber is angrily running over defenders in hopes of extending his NFL career.

Forte considered holding out from camp and has expressed concern about playing in preseason games, but he reported to training camp in phenomenal shape. He has never missed a game in three seasons, and so it's hard to know whether the Bears really need two veteran runners behind him.

Conventional wisdom suggests the Bears would be better off keeping all three, considering their offense ran much better last season after offensive coordinator Mike Martz rebalanced the offense to favor the running game. But do Taylor, 31, and Barber, 28, have much left in the tank? I'm not drawing any conclusions based on someone running hard during a training camp practice.

3. Leadership void: I usually think that locker room leadership is overvalued because players come and go so frequently in the modern age of football. Leadership can, and must, be a year-to-year proposition.

But Kreutz's unexpected exit left a lingering issue with the Bears. On most successful teams, the quarterback fills the leadership role in the locker room. But in the absence of long-term answers at that position, Kreutz assumed it by default.

The Bears still don't have a quarterback who has proven he can handle that job. You can debate whether Jay Cutler was treated fairly following his knee injury in the NFC Championship Game. And you can point out leaders don't have to be "rah-rah" types like Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints. But even if you define a leader as someone other players can look to and emulate, it's hard to put Cutler in that category.

Coaches can only do so much. During times of difficulty this season, who will keep players together and focused on their jobs? If it's Cutler, it will represent a dramatic personality turnaround. Otherwise, the Bears have to hope linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, or possibly safety Chris Harris, can step up.

ROOKIE ADJUSTMENT

Rookie offensive lineman Gabe Carimi played as a left tackle at Wisconsin, and many of us thought he would be the Bears' best short-term answer at the position in 2011, even if he ultimately projected as a right tackle in the future.

Instead, the Bears have decided to put Carimi on the right side from the start. They think his strengths as a run-blocker will benefit them most there while also giving him a less competitive environment for developing his pass-blocking skills.

"I'm a pretty good run-blocker," Carimi said, having lost none of the bravado he displayed at the February scouting combine. "That is my forte. All I really have to do is keep on working on my pass pro. I'll get there -- to where I'll be an elite pass protector, too."

But Carimi also noted he has been a right tackle for "about 10 days" and said months of offseason work split equally between the left and right side still left him at square one when training camp opened.

"There is nothing you can do other than doing it every day in practice," Carimi said. "You're not going to get those good reps until you go against actual defensive ends with pads on."

VETERAN ADJUSTMENT

At first, Roberto Garza wasn't thrilled when the Bears asked him to open camp at center.

"I thought Olin was coming back," he said. "I didn't think that was going to be even an issue. We've had to move on. ... If that's the role I'm going to perform, I've got to go out there and do it to the best of my ability."

By all appearances, Garza is a competent center who won't have Kreutz's savvy at the position but will find a way to get by. He'll stay right at center unless the Bears have a problem with one of their guards, in which case he will move over and Chris Spencer will take over at center.

After 10 years in relative obscurity, however, it appears Garza is about to step into a role that will prove critical to the Bears' 2011 success.

"At guard, I was spoiled," Garza said. "Olin made everything. Now everything is on my shoulders to go out there and get everybody squared away. It's a learning process as well. I have to go out there and do some things playing center that I didn't do as a guard."

OBSERVATION DECK

[*]Much of the attention has gone to the arrival of Williams, but those at Bears camp say Devin Hester has had an outstanding summer. After a full season in Martz's system, Hester is running routes more confidently and catching everything thrown his way.

[*]There were two early camp storylines as they related to Cutler: That he had improved his footwork in the pocket and had lost weight. Absent a confirmation on the weight, I can attest that Cutler certainly looked slimmer. As for footwork, I can't possibly speculate. I don't think he has ever had a problem getting away from center. If anything, he just has never had to set his feet and position his body like most quarterbacks must to get heat on his passes. But if that's what Cutler worked on this offseason, he deserves credit for addressing an issue that most quarterbacks in their late 20s have either mastered or give up on.

[*]Another consequence of the Bears' roster upheaval: Kellen Davis is atop the Bears' depth chart at tight end. Davis an athletic 6-foot-7, and the Bears presumably trust him as a blocker. Some of you have asked if he is a potential breakout star in 2011, but let's remember he has 11 receptions in his career. If anything, I think his ascendance reflects the limited value that Martz places on pass-catching tight ends.

[*]The inadvertent quote award for Bears camp goes to Peppers, who was asked about his relatively modest total of eight sacks last season. "I don't like to put a number on stats," Peppers said. He went on to add: "Like I always say, it's an indicator. It doesn't really tell the full story of how a player should be evaluated." In all seriousness, Peppers' All-Pro status was fully warranted last season, no matter where his sack totals ended up.

[*]Many fans have been interested in receiver Andy Fantuz, a 6-foot-4 former CFL player. But the new receiver who has caught the eye of many camp-goers is Dane Sanzenbacher, an undrafted rookie from Ohio State who seems well-suited for the slot position in Martz's offense.
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Rapid Reaction: Patriots 47, Jaguars 12

By Mike Reiss

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Rapid reaction from the Patriots' 47-12 win over the Jaguars in the preseason opener:

A night for backups. Bill Belichick sat several key players, quarterback Tom Brady; receivers Chad Ochocinco, Wes Welker and Deion Branch; defensive lineman Vince Wilfork; cornerback Devin McCourty and linebacker Jerod Mayo among them. This gave Belichick a chance to evaluate some younger players, while at the same time not rushing things with key personnel after just seven full-pad practices. You had to be a hard-core fan to sit through all of this one, but in all, it was a productive night for a first preseason game.

Taylor Price one of the big stories. The second-year receiver was excellent, the highlight play coming with a back-of-the-end-zone, fingertip, toe-tapping touchdown grab. Price later showed his speed on a long catch-and-run play. Price is behind Ochocinco, Branch and Welker on the depth chart, but he ensured that he's not in jeopardy of missing the final roster cut. Impressive night.

Quarterback situation looks sharp. Between Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett, the Patriots appear to have one of the best backup quarterback situations in the NFL. Both were impressive.

Rookie RB Stevan Ridley shines. Third-round pick Stevan Ridley showed up for camp on time and took advantage of extended reps as second-rounder Shane Vereen had yet to sign and veterans BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Kevin Faulk and Sammy Morris could not yet practice. That showed tonight. Ridley's confidence and hard-charging style was evident on two touchdown runs and he showed good hands on a touchdown catch. Agents generally don't get a lot of praise, but Ridley's agent -- Andy Simms -- gets a tip of the cap from here. Simms is also the agent for McCourty and for two years in a row he's made sure his clients were there for the first day of practice, putting them in the best position to succeed.

Tough night for CBs Darius Butler and Jonathan Wilhite. Both played into the fourth quarter. That's a hard fall for Butler, the 2009 second-round pick was an opening-day starter last season. Butler and Wilhite look to be on the roster bubble.

Nate Solder passes first test. The first-round pick played the entire first half at left tackle. He was hardly noticed, which meant he did his job well.

Dane Fletcher a top performer on defense. The second-year linebacker started and led the defensive huddle. He finished with five tackles while delivering a bit hit in the process. A strong special teams player as a rookie (he made the club as a free agent), he showed he's ready if called upon as a middle linebacker in the event of injury to Brandon Spikes.
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Observation deck: Eagles-Ravens

By Dan Graziano

Thoughts from the Eagles 13-6 win over the Baltimore Ravens in a preseason game on Thursday.

After all of that hype, the free-agency period that made them the focus of the NFL world and a high-energy training camp fueled by the highest of expectations, the Philadelphia Eagles played their first preseason game Thursday night. And while it's important not to read too much, if anything, into preseason game performance, there wasn't anything not to like.

Michael Vick looked fantastic on his one series, in which he engineered a touchdown drive without his top two receivers. The new right side of the offensive line held up fine. The defensive line looked aggressive and quick and deep. The safeties got a pair of interceptions. Even the rookie kicker and punter looked good. If you came in as an Eagles fan looking for reasons to feel good, you found them. If you came in as an angry doubter looking for places to poke holes, you'll have to wait until next week. The Eagles enjoyed themselves a great deal in their exhibition victory over the Ravens, and here are a couple of specific things I noticed:

1. The new defensive game plan. The Eagles' defense, with Juan Castillo as the coordinator and Jim Washburn as the defensive line coach, will key off of that line. Washburn is coaching his linemen to push into the backfield and put pressure on quarterbacks and ballcarriers, and he appears to have enough depth at the end and tackle spots to maintain the required energy all game. Trent Cole looks as if he could thrive in this scheme, and they got contributions from guys like Darryl Tapp, Derek Landri and Keenan Clayton as Castillo and Washburn rotated linemen in and out all night. "Wash, he wants us to get off and attack every play," Cole said. "No matter what, it's all out. You see how we rotate in different lines, it's keeping everybody fresh. It's awesome to have that now. We've got a great group of d-lineman that can all play; they're all playing at the same level. We're going to keep this thing going." Pressure by the guys up front seemed to lead to both interceptions.

2. The new offensive line game plan. New offensive line coach Howard Mudd is teaching his linemen to push upfield as well. When Castillo was the O-line coach, the linemen were taught to hold their ground. Under Mudd, they're taught to pursue a piece of ground somewhere in front of them and hold that -- pushing upfield aggressively to create room for the backs behind them. We saw that in the first quarter, when the starting line was in there against Haloti Ngata and an imposing Baltimore front. And even after the starters left, rookie right guard Danny Watkins and new right tackle Ryan Harris stayed in a bit longer as they're getting up to speed. Watkins seemed to allow a defender through on the play that resulted in Vick's rollout and 42-yard completion to Riley Cooper, but the Eagles ran behind him with fullback Owen Schmitt to pick up a first down on a 3rd-and-2 play just before that.

3. Vick is working on staying composed. His arm looks great, especially considering that he's throwing to backup receivers because DeSean Jackson just showed up the other day and Jeremy Maclin is sick. But Vick's assignment this preseason is to work on blitz recognition, and he did a fine job with that as the Ravens helped him out by throwing a few blitzes at him. He stayed in the pocket, kept his eyes downfield and didn't seem to want to take off and run instead of throw. Just one series, but Vick looks to be in control.

4. The backups can play a little. Vince Young does not know the offense yet, which is why we saw a lot of Ronnie Brown runs once the starters were out of the game. Young did pick up a first down by scrambling away from pressure and completing a pass to Chad Hall, which just shows you that he's capable of helping out even while he is still learning the offense. And Brown looks as though his power running style makes him a perfect change-of-pace off of starter LeSean McCoy.

5. Give the linebackers an "incomplete." We didn't see enough out of Casey Matthews to make any judgments one way or the other about his ability to handle the middle linebacker spot. It appeared as though that Ray Rice catch-and-run up the left side on Baltimore's first possession might have had something to do with a missed assignment by a linebacker, but Reid said after the game that he'd have to look at the tape to evaluate the linebackers. Maybe they really could be an afterthought with the loaded line and secondary.

6. Mike Kafka looked good after his early interception. Rookie running back Dion Lewis had his moments, too.

7. Hugh Douglas! Loved his work as an Eagles sideline analyst. Perchance a star is born?
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Observation deck: Chargers vs. Seahawks

By Bill Williamson

Here are some thoughts from the Chargers’ 24-17 loss to Seattle in their preseason opener on Thursday night on ESPN:

The first-team offense is nice: The expectations in this post-lockout world have been that established offenses would be further along than teams with major change. The Chargers are virtually the same offense as they were last season.

The first-team offense looked like it’s been working daily all year. Quarterback Philip Rivers led San Diego on an impressive 10-play, 89-yard drive in five minutes, 33 seconds. Rivers completed 5 of 6 passes for 87 yards and a touchdown pass. The Chargers cruised down the field as if it were November.

The fact that Rivers led more than 40 players in four-times-as-week workouts beginning in March makes it’s easy to understand why the first-team offense clicked so well.

Happiness on special teams: The Chargers’ area that needs the most improvement is the special teams. It got off to a terrific start in 2011 under new coach Rich Bisaccia. Bryan Walters energized his team with a 103-yard kickoff return in the third quarter. Even though it is just the preseason, the entire stadium erupted and Bisaccia acted like he just won the Super Bowl. You can’t blame the Chargers for reveling in the moment. After a year in which special-teams misery cost them a playoff spot, this was a welcome moment.

VJ-Rivers combination is back: The highlight of that first drive was a 48-yard pass from Rivers to No. 1 receiver Vincent Jackson, who held out for much of last season. Prior to last season, Rivers and Jackson developed a tremendous chemistry and it is clear the combination is back in form. This will make San Diego’s offense, which was ranked No. 1 in the NFL last year, even more dangerous.

Mathews has nice hands: Rivers told me this week when I visited the Chargers’ camp that he was impressed by how second-year running back Ryan Mathews was coming around in the passing game. Mathews made a nifty 9-yard catch on that first drive. If he can continue to make strides, Mathews can help make up for what is lost in the passing game with the departure of free-agent Darren Sproles, who is now in New Orleans.

New coordinator, same nasty D: This was the debut of new defensive coordinator Greg Manusky. He replaces Ron Rivera, who is now the head coach in Carolina and who led the Chargers to the NFL's No. 1-ranked defense last season. I heard good things about Manusky, and Thursday, his defense came out and looked great. The Chargers’ defense was swarming and aggressive -- just the way Manusky likes it. Seattle didn’t pass midfield in the first half. It seems like this defense is still in good hands.

Liuget is explosive: A big part of the new defense is first-round pick Corey Liuget. He was drafted for his speed and his ability to quickly get into the backfield. The Illinois product displayed that Thursday night, and the Chargers have to be thrilled. He is didn’t have an offseason program, signed late and missed some camp time. Yet, he looks ready to go.

Todman looks good: The Chargers have been thrilled about sixth-round running back Jordan Todman. They thought they got a steal when he lasted until the sixth round and they loved the way he worked in camp. The hope is he can replace Sproles. After his first preseason game, that hope shouldn’t change. Todman looked good Thursday. He had 30 yards rushing on six totes and he added 21 yards on four catches.

Third stringers not so much: The Seahawks outscored San Diego 24-7 in the second half. It was a tough game for San Diego undrafted rookie quarterback Scott Tolzien, who has been impressive in camp. He led a good drive at the end of the game that fell just short of the end zone. Overall, this was a good night for San Diego, just not for many of players who likely won’t make the roster.
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Observation deck: Seahawks-Chargers

By Mike Sando

Observations from the Seattle Seahawks 24-17 victory over the San Diego Chargers in a preseason game Thursday night:

[*]Losing left tackle Russell Okung to an ankle injury on the fifth offensive play ruined the night for Seattle. X-rays were negative, the team said, and it was not immediately clear how long Okung would be sidelined.

[*]The Seahawks need Okung. Building up the offensive line has been Pete Carroll's top priority as the Seahawks' head coach. Carroll has sought highly acclaimed line coaches to lead the unit, going with Alex Gibbs and now Tom Cable. The team has used two first-round picks on tackles in Carroll's two seasons as coach, most recently taking a right tackle (James Carpenter) over a quarterback (Andy Dalton) in an effort to build from the inside out.

[*]The offensive line struggled badly last season, so even modest success in an exhibition game counts for something. Carpenter had some rough moments in pass protection, but he helped clear the way for a third-and-1 conversion early. He played deep into the third quarter, as did right guard John Moffitt. The experience was valuable for both rookies.

[*]Rookie linebacker K.J. Wright recognized a screen play quickly and tracked down the receiver for a decisive tackle. Two other Seattle rookie draft choices, linebacker Malcolm Smith and safety Mark LeGree, provided bit hits. Smith chased on his play and finished strong. LeGree broke up a pass with his hit. LeGree also secured Seattle's victory by breaking up a pass in the end zone on the Chargers' final play.

[*]Two more rookie notes: Defensive end Pep Levingston batted down a pass on third-and-long, while undrafted free agent Jeron Johnson broke up a pass. Johnson also made a third-down tackle in the backfield off the left edge.

[*]Seattle’s quarterbacks were under siege early and didn’t have many opportunities to make big plays. Tarvaris Jackson moved effectively, as anticipated, and scrambled for a first down up the middle amid heavy traffic. But the offense had no rhythm. That was expected. Jackson and other players with new contracts began practicing only one week ago.

[*]Backup Charlie Whitehurst gained momentum as the third quarter progressed. His strike to tight end Dominique Byrd for a 29-yard gain stood out. What did we learn about him Thursday night? Not much. Whitehurst has produced at times during past exhibition games (214 yards, 107.0 rating in the 2010 opener). He completed 14 of 20 passes for 115 yards in this one, with no touchdowns, interceptions or sacks. His rating was 84.4.

[*]Third-string quarterback Josh Portis built upon the positive impression he made early in training camp. He showed a good feel for the game, moving away from pressure and finding tight end Anthony McCoy for a 6-yard touchdown. This performance should build confidence for Portis. Coaches and teammates were enthusiastic in their support for him following the touchdown pass.

Okung's status is the note that matters most stemming from this game. If Okung misses an extended period, the line will have a harder time against teams with strong right defensive ends (Seattle faces Justin Smith and the San Francisco 49ers on the road in Week 1). The team might also have to keep a tight end near the formation for blocking help.
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Early read: How long Okung could miss
By Mike Sando

Two high ankle sprains, one to each leg, nearly derailed Russell Okung's rookie season with the Seattle Seahawks.

Early indications suggest his latest ankle injury is similar.

"It's in that area," coach Pete Carroll told reporters after the game, according to Danny O'Neil.

Last season, Okung suffered a high ankle sprain Aug. 21 against Green Bay. He did not play in a game until Oct. 3, a span of 43 days. Okung suffered a high sprain on his other ankle Oct. 24 against Arizona. He did not play in another game until Nov. 21, a span of 28 days.

Seattle opens its regular season Sept. 11, 31 days from the injury suffered Thursday night.

We do not know for certain the extent of the damage or how long Okung might need to recover. But if the timetable is similar to the ones Okung followed previously, he would be returning sometime during the first three weeks of the regular season.
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Observation deck: Cowboys-Broncos

By Dan Graziano

I'm not sure if there are fans out there who care whether or not their teams actually win preseason games. But if you're a Dallas Cowboys fan and you do, then the ending of Thursday night's preseason opener was fun. Stephen McGee's touchdown pass to Dwayne Harris in the final minute, and the two-point conversion play that followed to give the Cowboys a 24-23 exhibition victory over the Denver Broncos, provided decent (if meaningless) theater for fans happy to have football back after so long.

Of course, if you're enough of a fan to care about the final score, you almost certainly care even more about the stuff that was going on hours earlier, when the first-teamers were in the game. Here's what I saw from the Cowboys in their first preseason game:

1. The defense is a work in progress, and appears to know it. They've had just two weeks, since the lockout ended, to learn and adjust to Rob Ryan's new scheme. They are still learning. Especially in the secondary, there were lots of times early on where guys were looking around or at each other after the play as if they were trying to figure out what should have happened. The safeties got caught looking into the backfield at critical times. They did a fine job on the goal line in the first quarter, holding the Broncos to a field goal after Kyle Orton had marched down the field somewhat easily, and they got some nice pressure from defensive ends Marcus Spears and Jason Hatcher. But overall, this looked like a defense that's still learning. And that's fine. No one would have expected them to know Ryan's scheme already. He's keeping things simple, withholding the kinds of complicated blitzes and fake-out looks we'll surely see from him as his players get more comfortable with their assignments. These preseason games will be part of the learning process for a defense that will surely look better one, two and three months hence than it does now, and the Cowboys should not be judged on their inability to stop Orton or Tim Tebow on this particular night.

2. Tyron Smith is talented. The Cowboys' first-round draft pick failed to pick up a safety blitz, and that led to a sack. But overall, he held his own against the Broncos' line. What I liked best may have been the fact that, after almost every play, you could see Smith talking to Kyle Kosier as they walked back to the huddle. Moving the veteran Kosier to the right side to play next to the rookie Smith was a sharp idea, and as Smith also uses these games as learning opportunities, he'll benefit from proximity to the Cowboys' brainy guard.

3. More Victor Butler, please. If they don't think they can snap Anthony Spencer back into his late-2009 form, why not use Butler as a pass-rusher on the side opposite DeMarcus Ware? All reports indicate that he's looked good in practice and has a grasp of the scheme and the playbook. He was everywhere Thursday night when he was in the game. With a new coordinator in town, it makes sense to think guys will have chances to play their way into more playing time and larger roles, and Butler could be such a guy.

4. Felix Jones looks speedy. I mean, real nice bust through the line in his first-quarter action. We didn't see Tashard Choice or DeMarco Murray tonight, and Lonyae Miller failed to impress in what was thought to be his big chance. But Jones looked like a guy who wants to be a full-time starting running back in the league and has the tools to make it happen. Time will tell if this is the year, whether he'll have the opportunity to do so and how much he'll rotate with Choice and Murray. But Jones was fun to watch Thursday.

5. How about Dwayne Harris? There doesn't appear to be an immediate threat on the roster to Kevin Ogletree's hold on the No. 3 receiver spot. But if Ogletree struggles, there are some playmakers further down the depth chart. Harris caught two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and looked tough as he created space and outfought a defender or two for the ball in a couple of spots.

6. Of course David Buehler's field goal was good. Hey, look. As I watched it, I was sure it had missed, too. But the official is standing right there under the upright, and there's pretty much no way to miss that call. It was ugly, but it was good, and it was the only field goal either he or Dan Bailey, his competitor for the kicker job, attempted all night. Buehler made his one extra point attempt and Bailey didn't get a chance at his because of a bungled snap. Bailey handled all the kickoffs, presumably because the Cowboys have no concerns about Buehler's ability to kick the ball through the back of the end zone now that it appears almost everyone can. No blood drawn, it would seem, in the kicker competition Thursday.

7. Stephen McGee. No idea what to make of it, since he was playing with and against backups, but the young man played some very nice football in this game and deserves to be recognized for that. At the very least, he provides potential fodder for the nuts who think Tony Romo should be replaced if the Cowboys don't win the Super Bowl. And that's good. Got to keep the nuts happy.
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Rams camp report: Offense needs to take the next step

Observation deck

1. The offensive line is pretty good. As I watched every play of the last 10 practices on tape, I became more impressed with the Rams offensive line. Left tackle Roger Saffold is a star in the making. Left guard Jacob Bell is trying to keep Renardo Foster from taking his job. Center Jason Brown has his moments, like when DT Gary Gibson threw him aside, but in general he competes. Right guard Harvey Dahl is just what the doctor ordered to instill toughness. Right tackle Jason Smith needs to be more consistent and not get caught waist-bending, but he's better than average. The Rams can get away with a significant amount of five-man protections this season and putting five receivers in the routes will make it tough on defenses.

2. There isn't a No. 1 receiver, but there are a number of quality No. 2s. There's no Calvin or Andre Johnson on this team, but there wasn't one last year either as Bradford threw for 3,512 yards as a rookie. This year, Bradford has better weapons and is taking more shots down the field. Brandon Gibson, Mike Sims-Walker and Danario Alexander (when he gets healthy) give the Rams three guys who can all go deep. Also, get ready to see Danny Amendola playing the role of Wes Welker in the newest imitation of the Patriots offense.

3. Sam Bradford is getting the new system. I've watched every throw Bradford has taken in practice, and it's clear he is really starting to understand the Josh McDaniels offense. In the intersquad scrimmage Wednesday he threw a seam route touchdown to TE Billy Bajema that was second to none. Bradford needs plenty of reps in this new offense but the progress is remarkable.

4. The Rams have a plan to help Steven Jackson. Jackson has touched the ball 746 times the past two seasons and he has delivered solid production, but the team needs to take care of him. As head coach Steve Spagnuolo said, "Steven wants the ball and he carries this team on his back but we can be smart with him." Being smart means signing of Cadillac Williams and Jerious Norwood to spell Jackson. Williams has looked good in camp and can clearly take on some of the third-down duties. Norwood can do some of the same, plus he may return kicks. Jackson will probably get close to 300 touches because he has the heart of a lion but look for the other two backs to combine for 100.

New guys

» Lance Kendricks. The second-round pick from Wisconsin is a fast learner and is already handling multiple positions, including his natural position at tight end. He has caught the eye of management and coaches, to say nothing of what Bradford thinks of his new weapon. Expect to see Hendricks on the field creating match-up problems for Rams' opponents this year.

» Harvey Dahl. The unrestricted free agent, who played in Atlanta the last four seasons, is a solid offensive guard and an outstanding leader for the Rams offensive line. He brings passion and it looks contagious on the field. An awful lot of Steven Jackson runs will cross the line of scrimmage behind Dahl.

» Quintin Mikell. As Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis said about the free agent who comes over from Philadelphia, "That guy knows how to blitz from the safety spot." Mikell brings a new dimension to the Rams defense.

Overheard

"We have signed 12 unrestricted free agents but there are still a number of veteran free agents on the street that we valued months ago, and we will continue to put players on the roster to make things more competitive, but we will not jeopardize our future doing it."

--Rams COO Kevin Demoff on free agency

Prediction

The Rams went down to Week 17 last year in search of a division title and lost to the Seahawks. As one veteran player said to me, "Our inexperience showed down the stretch but this year will be different with all the solid veterans (general manager) Billy DeVaney has brought in." You could make the case that the Rams have the best quarterback in the division and that gives them a leg up on the competition, but they also play a brutal first-half schedule that includes Michael Vick, Eli Manning, Joe Flacco, Aaron Rodgers, Tony Romo and Drew Brees in six of the first seven games. If they weather that storm, they will be battle-tested and ready to take on the division. Right now, the Rams may be the team to beat in the NFC West. I can see an 8-8 record and division championship if Bradford, who went 3-3 in the division last year, doesn't take 15 sacks in those six division games like he did in 2010.
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Patriots 47, Jaguars 12: Quick-hit thoughts

Excerpts:

[*]The more I see of Brian Hoyer running a team, the more I like it. He just seems very comfortable out there. Obviously a good leader.

[*]RB Stevan Ridley showed his hard-running style. Really like what he’s shown so far in the game and at practice. The more reps the better. A lot of scouts were very impressed by Ridley. Shane Vereen needs to get out there.

[*]Taylor Price was obviously one of the stars of the game, with five catches for 105 yards and a spectacular TD reception. He’s been the same in practice.

[*]At first blush, LT Nate Solder and C Rich Ohrnberger seemed to play well on the line. Solder still tends to get a bit high, but it’s real early. Can’t wait to see Dante Scarnecchia work his magic with him.

[*]Dane Fletcher (quarterback hit, three tackles for a loss) continues to fly around the field.

[*]Was underwhelmed by CBs Darius Butler and Kyle Arrington. But I think that was by design of the defense. The Patriots played a lot of Cover 2 and 3.

[*]Ryan Mallett was also on the minds of the scouts before they got to see him play. Many of those scouts represented teams that were scared off by Mallett off the field. If he continues to toe the line, those teams will be jumping in line to get him again.

[*]Mallett played well for the most part. He continued his practice bad habit of holding the ball too long on occasion, and you could see Belichick reminding Mallett to remember his internal game clock. He did better after that. There’s no doubt his can spin it. Mallett was also very attentive and into it on the sidelines.

[*]Belichick was not happy with the lack of ball security.

[*]It’s pretty evident Stephen Gostkowski’s injury is behind him after kicks from 46 and 43 yards.
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'Faust said:
Observation deck: Eagles-Ravens

By Dan Graziano

Thoughts from the Eagles 13-6 win over the Baltimore Ravens in a preseason game on Thursday.

After all of that hype, the free-agency period that made them the focus of the NFL world and a high-energy training camp fueled by the highest of expectations, the Philadelphia Eagles played their first preseason game Thursday night. And while it's important not to read too much, if anything, into preseason game performance, there wasn't anything not to like.

Michael Vick looked fantastic on his one series, in which he engineered a touchdown drive without his top two receivers. The new right side of the offensive line held up fine. The defensive line looked aggressive and quick and deep. The safeties got a pair of interceptions. Even the rookie kicker and punter looked good. If you came in as an Eagles fan looking for reasons to feel good, you found them. If you came in as an angry doubter looking for places to poke holes, you'll have to wait until next week. The Eagles enjoyed themselves a great deal in their exhibition victory over the Ravens, and here are a couple of specific things I noticed:

1. The new defensive game plan. The Eagles' defense, with Juan Castillo as the coordinator and Jim Washburn as the defensive line coach, will key off of that line. Washburn is coaching his linemen to push into the backfield and put pressure on quarterbacks and ballcarriers, and he appears to have enough depth at the end and tackle spots to maintain the required energy all game. Trent Cole looks as if he could thrive in this scheme, and they got contributions from guys like Darryl Tapp, Derek Landri and Keenan Clayton as Castillo and Washburn rotated linemen in and out all night. "Wash, he wants us to get off and attack every play," Cole said. "No matter what, it's all out. You see how we rotate in different lines, it's keeping everybody fresh. It's awesome to have that now. We've got a great group of d-lineman that can all play; they're all playing at the same level. We're going to keep this thing going." Pressure by the guys up front seemed to lead to both interceptions.

2. The new offensive line game plan. New offensive line coach Howard Mudd is teaching his linemen to push upfield as well. When Castillo was the O-line coach, the linemen were taught to hold their ground. Under Mudd, they're taught to pursue a piece of ground somewhere in front of them and hold that -- pushing upfield aggressively to create room for the backs behind them. We saw that in the first quarter, when the starting line was in there against Haloti Ngata and an imposing Baltimore front. And even after the starters left, rookie right guard Danny Watkins and new right tackle Ryan Harris stayed in a bit longer as they're getting up to speed. Watkins seemed to allow a defender through on the play that resulted in Vick's rollout and 42-yard completion to Riley Cooper, but the Eagles ran behind him with fullback Owen Schmitt to pick up a first down on a 3rd-and-2 play just before that.

3. Vick is working on staying composed. His arm looks great, especially considering that he's throwing to backup receivers because DeSean Jackson just showed up the other day and Jeremy Maclin is sick. But Vick's assignment this preseason is to work on blitz recognition, and he did a fine job with that as the Ravens helped him out by throwing a few blitzes at him. He stayed in the pocket, kept his eyes downfield and didn't seem to want to take off and run instead of throw. Just one series, but Vick looks to be in control.

4. The backups can play a little. Vince Young does not know the offense yet, which is why we saw a lot of Ronnie Brown runs once the starters were out of the game. Young did pick up a first down by scrambling away from pressure and completing a pass to Chad Hall, which just shows you that he's capable of helping out even while he is still learning the offense. And Brown looks as though his power running style makes him a perfect change-of-pace off of starter LeSean McCoy.

5. Give the linebackers an "incomplete." We didn't see enough out of Casey Matthews to make any judgments one way or the other about his ability to handle the middle linebacker spot. It appeared as though that Ray Rice catch-and-run up the left side on Baltimore's first possession might have had something to do with a missed assignment by a linebacker, but Reid said after the game that he'd have to look at the tape to evaluate the linebackers. Maybe they really could be an afterthought with the loaded line and secondary.

6. Mike Kafka looked good after his early interception. Rookie running back Dion Lewis had his moments, too.

7. Hugh Douglas! Loved his work as an Eagles sideline analyst. Perchance a star is born?
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Pitta looked pretty good with Dickson out. This could be a battle for the starting TE spot
 
why are punt and kick returners and coaching changes threads pinned and this one is not. I'm not sure what the criteria is for a thread to be pinned but this is one of the best threads on the boards that I read everyday (and I'm sure a ton of others as well).

BTW...thanks to all for putting great stuff from all the teams in here...it's terrific and saves TONS of time scouring multiple sites for info.

 
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I think we need to give a special thanks to FAUST posting all of these training camps transcripts. You do us all a great favor by doing that. Thanks FAUST. :yes:

 
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'jacobo_moses said:
I think we need to give a special thanks to FAUST posting all of these training camps transcripts. You do us all a great favor by doing that. Thanks FAUST. :yes:
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:goodposting: Was just coming to say the same thing.
 
Banger and jacobo_moses and everyone else,

I appreciate the kudos! I did a similar thread last year, and it was well received. I found that for myself, it very much helped to have a thread where these reports were all in one easy to find thread as opposed to having to search all over the web. I am happy to hear that this is working for other members of FBG and the message boards!

:thumbup:

I also appreciate the other posters who are adding other training camp and preseason observations!

 
Postcard from camp: Rams

Excerpts:

Three Observations

1. The cavalry has arrived for Steven Jackson. For much of his career, the standout running back from Oregon State seemingly has been without backfield assistance. Last year, for instance, he led the league in touches, ranked second in carries (330) and had the largest discrepancy in rushes between the Nos. 1 and 2 backs on a team, at 296.

However, the recent signings of Cadillac Williams and Jerious Norwood should allow Jackson an opportunity for breathers. Williams has battled injuries since being drafted fifth overall by Tampa Bay in 2005 -- he has surpassed 125 carries just once in the last five seasons -- so he's not looking to be a workhorse. If the Rams can get him five to 10 carries a game it's a win-win for him and the team.

Norwood is more of a change-of-pace back who can be used on third down and in passing situations. St. Louis will put together a package tailored to his talents. That could mean seeing him not only in the backfield, but also in the slot and on the perimeter. Bottom line: Contributions from Norwood and Williams should result in a fresher Jackson in the fourth quarter and during the stretch run of the season.

2. Bradford can laugh at himself. One of the things that immediately strikes you about Bradford, the No. 1 pick in last year's draft, is his calm and poise. Whether he's hounded by pass rushers or surrounded by media, the former Oklahoma standout is unflappable.

However there's another side to Bradford. One that involves "weird" LITTLEstitions. As opposed to SUPERstitions.

For instance, Bradford does not cut his hair during the season. He receives a buzz cut before each season, then doesn't trim it again until the final game is over. The routine goes back to middle school, with no good explanation for why he started doing it.

"The hair thing is the least weird thing that I do," he says. "What's weirder? Back in high school I started a superstition with 'threes' when I eat. We used to go out on Thursday nights for our pre-game meals, and I just had this fascination with threes so I would always eat three breadsticks. Then in college it carried over to pre-game meals at breakfast. Anytime I had fruit or meat or anything that was individually served, I had to have three of them. It's weird. If I wanted more I could justify it by having nine (pieces), because nine is three squared. So if I had blueberries I could have three or nine."

He also won't wear dress socks with his suits on game day, or comb or brush his hair before games. Mind you, these are not superstitions. Just littlestitions.

3. Let's get physical. The signing of veteran free agent linebacker Ben Leber on Thursday marked the continued upgrade of the position. The Rams wanted more athleticism and physicality at the position, and believe Leber (Vikings, 2010), Brady Poppinga (Packers) and Zac Diles (Texans) will make them more formidable against the run. St. Louis allowed an average of 113.1 yards rushing per game last season, 17th in the league.

The Rams have also challenged standout middle linebacker James Laurinaitis to play with more physicality. "The elite (middle) linebackers are the ones that are respected by the offenses because they physically create problems," coach Steve Spagnuolo says. "James is so smart and he's really good at the finesse things that we give him, but I want him to take the next step and sometimes not play perfect. Instead just worry about knocking the guy over in front of you. He was doing that in practice until he injured his pec."

Step On Up

Justin King, cornerback. With Jerome Murphy sidelined for the season with a broken ankle, King could be next up as the third cornerback. Coach Spagnuolo recently told King that he believed the former Penn State product might be having the best camp of any player. That's huge because cornerback play is an area that needs to improve for the Rams to make a serious run at the playoffs.

St. Louis thought it got a steal when it drafted King in the fourth round in 2008, but injuries have prevented him from having a shot at realizing his potential. He missed his rookie year with a bad toe, was slowed by a groin strain the next year, and battled calf, hamstring and shoulder problems last season. He has appeared in just 23 of a possible 48 games, with only seven starts.

"I do like the way he plays," says Spagnuolo. "He's a feisty guy. He's bounced back nicely and needs to continue to build on that."

New Face, New Place

Mike Sims-Walker, wide receiver. The former Jacksonville Jaguar has had a strong camp despite being asked to learn all three receiver positions. At this point he is the closest thing to a No. 1 receiver on the Rams' roster, and Bradford appears to have developed a nice rapport with him.

If Sims-Walker, who was slowed by an ankle injury last season, can regain his form of 2009 when he had 63 receptions for 869 and seven touchdowns, the Rams' offense could be formidable considering defenses have to respect the running abilities of Jackson.

"Things are going well," he says. "I think it was a test having me learn all the positions in about a week and a half, but I've been in this game four or five years and I'm considered a veteran. I've got to show the young guys that no matter what they throw at you, you've got to handle it. I'm just hoping that whenever we need a play, they call my number. That's what I'm here for, to make plays and be a good teammate."

The receiving corps is an interesting mix. Sims-Walker and Danny Amendola are locks to make the squad, and Bradford appears to have a good feel for Brandon Gibson. However, no other wideout still on the team had more than 30 catches last season. Donnie Avery is really the only deep threat, but he's working his way back after missing last year because of a knee injury and has been slowed by physical ailments throughout his career. Marty Gilyard, a fourth-round pick last year, has ability but has struggled with mental lapses -- such as lining up in the wrong spot Thursday. The team drafted two receivers this year in third-rounder Austin Pettis and fourth-rounder Greg Salas, but wideout historically has been one of the tougher positions for young players to make an immediate impact. That will put a lot of focus on Sims-Walker, who says he just wants to do whatever will help the team win.

Looking At The Schedule ...

The early schedule is brutal, with games against the Eagles, Giants, Ravens, Redskins, Packers, Cowboys and Saints. However if they can keep from going under, the back end is favorable not only because it includes six games against NFC West foes, but also because Pittsburgh is the only opponent that had a winning record last season. In a division whose champion was 7-9 last season, that's a reason for hope even in the most dire circumstances.
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Camp Confidential: Saints

Excerpts:

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. Can the defense really get back to 2009 form? Yes, it’s very possible. Gregg Williams is one of the league’s best and most aggressive defensive coordinators. When I visited camp recently, the defensive players were picking up every loose ball, even well after plays were done. That’s something Williams brought when he arrived in 2009. It didn’t really stop in 2010. But you can tell the Saints are approaching loose balls with much more gusto in this camp.

That’s great, but just taking that mental approach won’t be enough. The Saints have made some personnel moves that should make the overall defense better and should help produce turnovers. The Saints added defensive tackles Shaun Rogers and Aubrayo Franklin and suddenly are much bigger on the defensive line. Rotate Rogers and Franklin with a healthy Sedrick Ellis, and the Saints suddenly could be much stronger than they’ve been in the middle of the line in recent years.

That should help the pass rush, particularly Will Smith, Alex Brown and rookie Cameron Jordan. Smith and Brown didn’t get as much pressure on opposing quarterbacks as the coaches would have liked last season. Pressure is the key to a Williams’ defense. If the Saints can get pressure, the turnovers will come naturally.

2. Is the defense really to blame for last year? Not quite as much as Vilma claims. He’s right that the defense wasn’t the turnover machine it was in 2009. But the offense wasn’t exactly the perfectly tuned machine it was in the Super Bowl season. The Saints scored 64 touchdowns in 2009 (and five of those came on interception returns by the defense), but that number dropped to 44 last season. Maybe the defense could have helped a bit more with field position, but this offense had some flaws.

It’s tough to criticize Brees, who has carried the Saints since his arrival in 2006. But numbers don’t lie, and they’ll tell you Brees had an off year last season. His passing yardage and touchdowns were similar to 2009, but the huge difference was interceptions.

Brees threw only 11 interceptions in 2009 but had a career-high 22 last season. He never missed any playing time or complained about it, but Brees never seemed to be quite the same after injuring his knee in a Week 3 game with Atlanta. That might have had more to do with his "slump'' than we'll ever know.

But Brees has had a whole offseason to recover, and I expect him to bounce back. His cast of receivers remains largely the same, and replacing center Jonathan Goodwin with Olin Kreutz should not hurt an offensive line that already is very good.

3. How will the Saints use their running backs? Whether you loved him or not, Reggie Bush is gone, and that’s going to have an impact. Although he never put up huge numbers, Bush was the kind of player who made defenses account for him every time he was on the field.

It’s easy to say the Saints will try to replace Bush by committee and, to some degree, that’s true. They brought in Darren Sproles to do a lot of what Bush did -- run outside, catch passes out of the backfield and work as a return man. They also have Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory, who are pretty solid all-around backs.

But the biggest offensive move the Saints made this offseason was drafting Mark Ingram. He’s a running back who can do everything well, and he'll probably be used the way Deuce McAllister was in the early years of coach Sean Payton’s tenure. Sproles will inherit the packages Bush was in on, but Ingram’s going to get most of the playing time -- and carries.

BIGGEST SURPRISE

Nobody got very excited when the Saints added Will Herring. That’s understandable, because he spent four seasons in Seattle as a backup linebacker and special-teams player. Herring has only seven career starts, but a coaching staff and front office that have been known to find some steals might have another one. Herring has been getting most of the first-team work on the strong side in training camp, and the coaches have been raving about him. He’s quick and he’s smart, and the change of scenery apparently has him playing better than ever.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

When he’s healthy and on the field, Tracy Porter is a solid cornerback. But Porter hasn’t been on the field this training camp. He’s been walking around the sidelines with his left knee wrapped as he recovers from offseason surgery. There’s hope Porter will be ready for the regular season, and there is even higher hope he’ll be motivated to have a huge year because he can become a free agent after the season.

But there’s also some skepticism, because this isn’t the first injury for Porter. He missed four games last year and four the year before. Fellow starter Jabari Greer also has a history of injury problems. If Porter and Greer have more problems, the Saints could be thin at cornerback. They signed veteran Fabian Washington, but he has missed some camp time with an injury.

The upside is the absence of Porter and Washington has given second-year pro Patrick Robinson and rookie Johnny Patrick more work. Williams has been praising both of them. If either or both continue to impress and Porter’s recovery lingers, we could see a change in the lineup. That also wouldn't help Porter's chances of earning a big contract and staying with the Saints next season.

OBSERVATION DECK

• Wide receiver Robert Meachem was a close runner-up for the biggest-surprise category above. Meachem is coming off ankle surgery for an injury that slowed him last year, and he's having an excellent camp. He has caught just about every pass thrown his way and seems to be moving much better than a year ago. Meachem was a force as a deep threat in 2009, and it looks as if he might be returning to that form.

• Herring has been working on the strong side and Scott Shanle on the weak side. But nothing’s settled yet. Herring appears headed for a starting job, but Shanle is aging. The Saints have liked what they’ve seen from Clint Ingram and Jonathan Casillas, and they know what they have in Jo-Lonn Dunbar. They’ll probably go through several preseason games before deciding firmly on their starting linebackers. Even then, they could still rotate linebackers because the coaches view all of them as pretty close to equal.

• One linebacker who is struggling a bit is third-round pick Martez Wilson. You can see he has good athleticism, but he looks lost at times during team drills. The Saints aren’t anywhere close to being ready to give up on him, because he has lots of upside. But a lot of fans thought he’d be an instant starter. That’s not going to happen.

• The Saints never have been afraid to take a shot on a reclamation project, and that’s what they did with Rogers at defensive tackle. He came into the league with a lot of hype back in 2001 but has spent his career stuck with some pretty bad teams in Detroit and Cleveland. Rogers even lost his starting job with the Browns last year, and there have been questions about his conditioning and attitude throughout his career. But this might be a perfect fit. Rogers is on a good team for perhaps the first time in his career, and Williams is a master motivator. Even if Rogers doesn’t work out, I like how the Saints hedged their bet by bringing in Franklin.

• The Saints also took a shot on another former first-round pick. That’s offensive tackle Alex Barron. But he’s not off to a great start. He has been sidelined by injury, and unless he comes back soon and makes a big impression, he probably won’t make the roster.

• Since entering the league in 2009, punter Thomas Morstead has been known as a guy with a big leg. That hasn’t changed. But Morstead put in a lot of work on his directional punting in the offseason, and you can see the results in practice. That should help the defense with field position.
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Camp Confidential: Indianapolis Colts

Excerpts:

THREE HOT ISSUES

1) Manning’s health.

He spoke after signing his contract and has been seen around the team a couple times during training camp at Anderson University. But like in 2008 following offseason knee surgeries, he’s not practicing.

This time it’s a result of neck surgery in May. It’s the second year in a row he had a neck procedure after the season. But he and the team have expressed confidence that all he needs is time and rehabilitation. It’s unlikely a five-year, $90 million contract would have gotten done if the medical staff and management had any doubts.

While the Colts move forward without Manning, his absence also puts them in limbo. No matter how strongly they spin Curtis Painter’s performance, the defense isn’t being pushed in practice the way it would be if Manning was running the other side.

And no matter how precise the routes, how good the blocking or how well timed the play, the offense will still need to sync it all up with the star quarterback once he returns.

That knee in 2008 limited him early, when the team struggled out of the gate. Coming back from a neck injury, Manning is less likely to have any sort of mechanical issues or physical limitations that affect his passing. That’s one case for expecting a better start after so much missed time.

The timetable for his return is unknown. You know the drill: they say he’s progressing well, that they are optimistic, etc. and no one outside a very tight circle has any real idea when he will re-emerge. He was spotted once, throwing with what a witness called “decent velocity.” Hey, encouraging news is encouraging news.

2) Is the secondary deep enough?

Last season, the Colts were stretched virtually everywhere. Aaron Francisco wasn’t on the team for opening day, ranking as the fourth or fifth option at strong safety, and he played a good share of the season as the starter.

Behind free safety Antoine Bethea and re-signed and healthy strong safety Melvin Bullitt, there are unproven options including Al Afalava, Joe Lefeged, Mike Newton, David Caldwell and Chip Vaughn.

And after the top three corners -- Jerraud Powers, Justin Tryon and Jacob Lacey -- there also isn’t proven depth.

“At the safety position, I’m confident that we’re going to get two guys that will emerge there,” Colts vice counsel Bill Polian said. “We see enough signs to know that there is quality in that group.

“I also think there is some quality in the backup corners. Kevin Thomas is one of them. There are some interesting guys, and they’ll play themselves on or off the roster based on the preseason. But based on what I’ve seen thus far, I’d say we’ve got a good group and one or two guys will emerge.”

They will all benefit, of course, from a better pass rush. And if Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are better supplemented by Jerry Hughes and Jamaal Anderson on the edges and Tommie Harris provides a solid nickel push in the middle, they could have one.

3) Will the passing game have enough consistent weapons?

The ability of the 2010 Colts to get production from the likes of tight end Jacob Tamme and receiver Blair White was remarkable.

But if they can’t count on often-injured receiver Anthony Gonzalez or Austin Collie, who was shut down last season after concussion issues, it will be harder to make things go again.

Reggie Wayne is in fantastic shape and working hard, and will be a key target for Manning as always. Dallas Clark is back from a wrist injury. If the Colts are calling plays for those two and Pierre Garcon, Collie and Gonzalez, they can be potent. If the group shrinks, the effort is more exhausting.

Manning averaged 6.92 yards per attempt in 2010. That’s the lowest mark in his career outside of his rookie season (6.5). The Colts need to find more big plays and move the ball with a little less effort to be the kind of team they want to be.

BIGGEST SURPRISE

If the Colts get a significant contribution out of Anderson, Harris or linebacker Ernie Sims, it’ll be a win. All three signed one-year, cost-effective deals that amount to low-risk, high reward scenarios. Polian said in a normal year, the market wouldn’t have given the team an opportunity at signing players like these, veterans who are all ideally suited for Indy’s defense. If they get something from two of them, it will make for a home run. Three for three amounts to a grand slam. Harris looks very good so far, while Sims is recovering from an appendectomy.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Polian was singing Philip Wheeler’s praises and saying while the team loves starting strongside linebacker Pat Angerer, it loves Wheeler too. But he failed to hold the job last season and should be able to win and hold a starting job by now. Brody Eldridge gets mention too. He had knee surgery following last season and a setback means he hasn’t seen the practice field yet. They need him to be part of the run game.

OBSERVATION DECK

• Delone Carter is coming into a perfect situation as a rookie. He’s unlike any of the Colts' other running backs and should get chances in short yardage and goal line situations. If Javarris James ran for six touchdowns last season, Carter could run for 12 this fall. The Colts can continue to praise Donald Brown, but with Joseph Addai back and Carter in the fold, when does Brown get on the field?

• It was a surprise to find Lacey as the No. 2 cornerback at the start of camp. He was better as a rookie than in his second season. And he can be an effective piece of the secondary. But I’d bet on Tryon passing him before opening day.

• After one long and hot afternoon practice session, two players stuck around to catch machine-thrown balls: Wayne and Bethea. Those are some solid veterans and the kind of guys any team would like to have leading the way.

• Manning didn’t react well to TV crews that saw a recent throwing and running session. My understanding is the Earth is still spinning, however. I understand being private, but everything and everyone cannot always be controlled. Did I miss the catastrophic outcome?

• The buzz is good on Hughes, and with he and Anderson in the mix, the Colts may pace Freeney and Mathis better. That could make for fresher stars in December and January.

• They won’t talk until after the season, but as of now I’d expect the Colts to try to keep both Wayne and Mathis with new contracts.

• Jacques McClendon or Joe Reitz could be an upgrade over Kyle DeVan at left guard. The big question on the line to me, presuming Anthony Castonzo takes over left tackle reasonably quickly, is right guard. Mike Pollak has had sufficient opportunity and the team can aspire to be better there. Couldn’t they be better with Ben Ijalana there until he’s ready to displace Ryan Diem at right tackle?

• 'Tis the season for Garcon to prove that he's a consistently reliable threat. He had too many drops and too many lapses last season. He needs to be more than fast. He spent more time with Manning this offseason, before the neck surgery, than he did last offseason.
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What to expect from Andy Dalton

By James Walker

The Cincinnati Bengals will begin the Andy Dalton era Friday night against the Detroit Lions. The AFC North blog spent this week in Georgetown, Ky., to monitor Dalton and the Bengals in preparation for this game.

What can you expect from Dalton tonight?

Here is an early scouting report:

• Dalton and the first-team offense will play longer than usual, according to Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. Starters in the first preseason game typically play a series or two. But Cincinnati's coaching staff wants to get its young players like Dalton and receivers Jerome Simpson and rookie A.J. Green used to playing together. Don't be surprised if Dalton gets at least three series against Detroit.

• Green and Simpson are doing well in training camp. That's a good sign for Dalton. The rookie quarterback already established a good rapport with his starting receivers. Expect Dalton to give Green and Simpson several opportunities to make plays.

• Dalton is a better athlete than advertised. I was surprised how well he moves out of the pocket. Dalton also is thicker in the upper and lower body than Cleveland Browns counterpart Colt McCoy. Dalton may get a chance to show his surprising athleticism.

• The challenge for Dalton is not to make rookie mistakes. He threw a few interceptions in practice this week, which is expected. Most were because of poor reads or miscommunications with receivers. Dalton has to eliminate those mistakes in game situations.
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Ravens smart to land Lee Evans

By James Walker

On Monday, I suggested the Baltimore Ravens call the Buffalo Bills and inquire about Lee Evans. On Friday, the Ravens landed Evans in a trade for next year's fourth-round pick.

This is a nice rebound by Baltimore's front office. The Ravens miscalculated their receiver situation in free agency by releasing Derrick Mason and pursuing a younger, more dynamic Malcom Floyd. Baltimore eventually whiffed on Floyd and it was too late to turn back to Mason, who signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets.

That left the Ravens with a pair of rookies as their No. 2 and No. 3 receivers. Torrey Smith and Tandon Doss may become good players down the road. But if Baltimore is serious about winning a championship in 2011, it can't rely on Smith and Doss to lead that charge this season.

Evans brings deep speed and a veteran presence. According to ESPN's Stats & Information, Evans is third in yards per catch (15.7) among active receivers with at least 300 receptions. Only Greg Jennings (16.2) of the Green Bay Packers and Braylon Edwards (15.8) of the San Francisco 49ers are ahead of Evans.

Starter Anquan Boldin will be the top target underneath, while Evans can blow the top off the defense. Fourth-year quarterback Joe Flacco finally has the speedy receiver he needs to take advantage of his beautiful (but rarely used) deep ball.

Overall, this moves makes a lot of sense for the Ravens -- and not just because I suggested it.
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Mallett, Kolb among QBs who shined in preseason debut

The first night of preseason football turned into a showcase for quarterbacks around the league.

Teams were willing to let their signal-callers take chances in the passing game to assess where they stood in their development following an abbreviated offseason schedule. While it's dangerous to draw conclusions after one game, there were a handful of QBs who caught my attention with their play Thursday night.

The Patriots' Ryan Mallett is the steal of the draft.

The rookie had a sensational debut performance against the Jaguars. Mallett completed 12 of 19 passes for 164 yards with one touchdown on his way to leading the Patriots to two scores in his four possessions. Although he worked against the second-team defense, his pocket poise and awareness were exceptional for a first-year player. He routinely found the safety valve or hot read against blitz pressure and seemed undaunted by the free rushers in his face. Mallett also showed exceptional arm strength, accuracy and touch on intermediate throws. He repeatedly delivered the ball on time, and his decisiveness indicates his quick mastery of the system. Despite the difficulty in finding quality young quarterbacks, it seems the Patriots have picked up a franchise quarterback with their third-round pick.

Michael Vick's sensational year as a passer in 2010 wasn't a fluke.

Vick picked up where he left off a season ago, showing he can be a deadly passer from the pocket. In his brief appearance against the Ravens, Vick connected on 4 of 6 passes for 74 yards with one touchdown. He showed patience and poise in the pocket waiting for his receivers to get open, and he resisted the temptation to rely solely on his legs when things appeared to break down around him. Against the Ravens' blitz, Vick displayed awareness by quickly hitting the hot receiver in the progression. With everyone wondering if he can replicate his remarkable performance as a passer, Vick's impressive debut showcased his continued development as a quarterback.

The Chargers' offense is unstoppable with Philip Rivers at the helm.

Rivers was outstanding in leading the offense to a touchdown in his only possession. He picked apart the Seahawks' defense with pinpoint throws to all areas of the field. Playing without his top weapon (Antonio Gates), Rivers distributed the ball to the Chargers' other playmakers on time, and his exceptional rhythm as a pocket passer makes it tough for defenders to make plays on the ball. With a trio of Vincent Jackson, Malcom Floyd and Gates at Rivers' disposal during the regular season, the Chargers' offense will remain a juggernaut in 2011.

Kevin Kolb will thrive in Arizona.

The Cardinals' newest addition didn't produce big numbers in his debut (4 of 6 passes for 68 yards), but showed a budding chemistry with Larry Fitzgerald that will result in tremendous production down the road. The duo hooked up on a pair of deep throws, including a 44-yard completion on a fade route in the Cardinals' second possession, that showcased the trust between quarterback and pass catcher. That faith is essential to the success of the Cardinals' offense due to the attacking nature of their system. With Kolb being able to rely on his top target to come down with contested balls, he will be more aggressive with his throws and produce the big plays that were sorely missed in 2010.

Don't count Tim Tebow out of the Broncos' quarterback competition.

Even though reports coming out of training camp have placed Kyle Orton well ahead in the competition, Tebow's solid performance against the Cowboys will certainly keep him in the mix. He was efficient and effective as a passer and provided a handful of improvisational plays that helped the offense sustain drives. Now, his performance was far from flawless -- Tebow was sacked once and had an interception nullified by a penalty -- but he flashed enough potential as a playmaker to merit a legitimate shot at the starting job. Given Orton's ineffectiveness against the Cowboys, the Broncos should give Tebow some extended playing time against first-stringers to see if he has the game to get it done as a starter.
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Camp Confidential: Cincinnati Bengals

Excerpts:

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. Is Andy Dalton ready?

Palmer's unexpected retirement in January thrust Dalton into the starting lineup as a rookie.

This is unfamiliar territory for Lewis. Lewis sat Palmer, a No. 1 overall pick, during his entire rookie year in 2003.

I asked Lewis this week about his different approach with rookie quarterbacks.

"The football team that I took over in 2003 couldn't afford to lose games because of the quarterback," Lewis said. "They had a guy who had been in the seat and a lot of people were very, very comfortable with. Jon [Kitna] had done some good things, so it was a different situation.

"This football team is put together differently. They're tough, they're physical, they know how to go out there and compete. I didn't know those things coming in 2003. I know what this team is made of now. I know where the leaders are. I didn't know those guys then."

The Bengals hope to get immediate results from Dalton. He made some rookie mistakes in practice during the week and looked shaky in his preseason debut. Dalton's first throw was an interception. His third pass attempt was a sack. He finished with 69 passing yards and a pick.

Overall, Dalton is confident and has good presence. But things will not come together overnight.

2. How is Cincinnati’s new West Coast offense?

The West Coast offense is known for its precision passing. But expect a heavy dose of tailback Cedric Benson in Cincinnati's system.

First-year offensive coordinator Jay Gruden acknowledged that he wants a power running game to protect his rookie quarterback. Benson is coming off back-to-back 1,100-yard seasons. He is the most reliable offensive commodity the Bengals have.

If Benson runs well, it should open things up for Cincinnati's passing game. Gruden is particularly high on starting receivers Green and Jerome Simpson.

Look for Cincinnati's opponents to stack the box against the run this season. But Gruden will not be afraid to take shots downfield with Simpson and Green, based on what I've seen in practice.

"Those two guys on the outside are very athletic," Gruden said. "You almost have to take a different approach as a quarterback when those two guys are running down the field. If a defensive back has his back turned, you have to give [the receiver] a chance. A lot of times you want to tell a quarterback, 'It's either us or nobody.' But with these two guys you can throw it up high and let them go get it."

3. Can the defense rebound?

The Bengals were No. 4 in total defense in 2009. That led to a playoff run.

In 2010, Cincinnati's defense dropped to No. 15. The Bengals finished 4-12 last season.

The success of the defense is vital. The Bengals return veterans such as cornerback Leon Hall, defensive lineman Domata Peko, safety Chris Crocker and third-year linebacker Rey Maualuga. The team also added cornerback Nate Clements to replace Johnathan Joseph and new linebackers Manny Lawson and Thomas Howard.

Improving the pass rush will be key. The Bengals only had 27 sacks in 16 games last season. Defensive end Carlos Dunlap accounted for 9.5 of those sacks.

Speed on defense also is an issue. Cincinnati is not very fast in the front seven or in the secondary.

BIGGEST SURPRISE

I went into Bengals camp unfamiliar with Colin Cochart. But by the end of the week, the undrafted rookie tight end from South Dakota State was one of my favorite players.

Cochart is an aggressive blocker, which is a valued commodity. He blocked in every practice as though it was the Super Bowl. That got under some teammates' skin and caused some extra pushing and shoving.

Cochart's blocking makes him a sleeper to make the Bengals as a third tight end behind Jermaine Gresham and Bo Scaife.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

I wanted to see more from backup running back Bernard Scott. But he has been sidelined most of training camp with a hamstring injury.

Many players across the league, particularly speedy ones, are suffering hamstring injuries after the lockout. Scott showed flashes in past seasons. But he needs to stay healthy and be more reliable to back up Benson this season.

OBSERVATION DECK

[*]Green is the real deal. He is an extremely good athlete with great hands and the ability to go up and get the football. But he needs to work on is his routes. Green relied mostly on athleticism in high school and college. He needs to be more precise getting out of his cuts to get the most out of Cincinnati's West Coast offense. There is little margin for error at the NFL level.

[*]Former 2009 first-round pick Andre Smith is in much better shape this year. He is down to 335 pounds. Smith's quickness, footwork and endurance have improved. This is his first full training camp. He missed the first two camps because of a contract dispute and prior injuries. Smith's weight loss also takes pressure off his surgically repaired foot.

[*]Veteran backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski looks to be a decent signing. Gradkowski knows the West Coast offense and is making plays in camp. The Bengals are counting on Dalton to be the starter. Dalton's ceiling is higher. But right now there isn't a wide gap separating Cincinnati's top two quarterbacks.

[*]Simpson looks ready to bust out. He was one of the best players in practice last week and continues to make highlight-reel catches, even when covered by defenders. Simpson has been quiet for three seasons in Cincinnati. But he finished strong in the final month of last season. Simpson has to prove he can be productive for 16 games.

[*]The Bengals can use a healthy Adam Jones this season. The backup cornerback will miss all of training camp after neck surgery. Jones is by far Cincinnati's best athlete in the secondary. It doesn't appear the commissioner will act on Jones' offseason arrest for disorderly conduct. Jones says he was wrongfully arrested.

[*]Michael Johnson looks more comfortable back at defensive end. The Bengals experimented with moving Johnson to outside linebacker last season, but he never looked comfortable standing up. Now, Johnson is making more plays in training camp at his natural position. He was listed as a starter on the team's first depth chart.

[*]Maualuga is another player who looks better at his natural position of middle linebacker. He has good instincts and is a force against the run. Maualuga sheds blocks well and gets to ball carriers. He had two tackles for loss Friday against Detroit. The past two seasons Maualuga often was forced to cover tight ends in pass coverage and struggled.
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Morris praises play of Foster, Briscoe

By Pat Yasinskas

One of the bigger stories of Tampa Bay’s training camp so far has been rookie middle linebacker Mason Foster. Now that the preseason is here, the story just keeps getting bigger.

After letting Barrett Ruud leave as a free agent, the Bucs seemed poise to put their defense in the hands of their third-round draft pick. Although Tyrone McKenzie got some first-team work early in camp, Foster has been getting most of the reps lately.

He got the start in Friday night’s preseason opener, a 25-0 victory against Kansas City. Here’s what coach Raheem Morris had to say about Foster after the game.

“We talked about wanting to see him in pads, and he was able to go out there and really put his pads on people,’’ Morris said. “Obviously, I’ve got to go grade the tape to see all the plays and see what he was able to do. But, I did see him recover a fumble, I did see him get a big third-down stop, and those are the things we want to see him do. I was so excited about what he did in that first quarter; in that first half, I took all his nickel reps away. I didn’t even want to play him in the second half. Hopefully, next game we’re going to get him out there in nickel and see some other things out of him. (We) put him on special teams a little bit, let him play a little bit. If he is going to be a two-down backer, he’ll have to give us a little bit on special teams.

One of the other big stories of Tampa Bay’s preseason has been Dezmon Briscoe. The Bucs stashed him on the practice squad for much of last season. But Briscoe’s had a great training camp and, with Arrelious Benn still recovering from a major knee injury, has a chance to start opposite Mike Williams.

Briscoe had four catches for 60 yards against the Chiefs.

“I was fired up about Dez,’’ Morris said. “I remember talking about him a while ago, saying how he might be one of our better receivers. He’s done nothing but show me and prove to us that he can play this game, and we’re fired up to have him. We were fired up when we got him last year at the time we did. And to incorporate him in our offense like he’s been able to do, I think it’s been special for him.”
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An encouraging opening night in Detroit

Reviewing the NFC North’s first game of the 2011 preseason:

Detroit Lions 34, Cincinnati Bengals 3

Of interest: The Lions’ first-team offense was done for the night before the first-team defense saw the field. Matthew Stafford's back-shoulder touchdown pass to receiver Calvin Johnson illustrated the connection they now have. Newcomer Rashied Davis made an immediate impact, recovering a fumble on the ensuing kickoff. I loved coach Jim Schwartz’s guilty expression for challenging a play that ultimately got receiver Nate Burleson credit for a 7-yard touchdown pass. Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh helped force Chris Houston's interception by slamming into quarterback Andy Dalton on the Bengals' first offensive play. Suh’s personal foul on the subsequent hit wasn’t as bad as the helmet-ripping stunt he pulled against Cleveland’s Jake Delhomme last year, but it will be hard to avoid a penalty when the quarterback’s helmet comes off. The Bengals’ only scoring drive included 30 yards of Lions penalties. Anyone else get a lump in their throat when quarterback Shaun Hill pointed to the sky after his flip over the goal line? Hill’s father died this offseason after falling off a roof he and Shaun were repairing. Overall, a strong first-week performance for the Lions. No turnovers. No pressure on Stafford, whose only incompletion in seven attempts was a dropped pass. Johnson’s bruised left shoulder, suffered on the touchdown catch, is believed to be mild.

Local coverage: All but one of Stafford’s passes came from the shotgun, ensuring his protection, notes Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press. Suh didn’t speak to reporters, but of his penalty, Schwartz said: "He's trying his very best. But that's one of those situations where you have to know that the ball is gone. We kept a couple of drives alive with penalties and we have to do a better job of that, but we don't want to slow the guy down." (Via Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.) Schwartz didn’t seem too upset about the penalty, writes Tom Kowalski of Mlive.com. Receiver Derrick Williams, fighting for a roster spot, dropped the first two passes thrown his way but rebounded later for a 32-yard reception, notes Tim Twentyman of the News. The only thing Stafford didn’t do was take a hit, writes Bob Wojnowski of the News. The Lions’ only downer was their running game, notes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Jerome Harrison was first off the bench to replace starter Jahvid Best but managed eight yards on eight carries.
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Three things revisited: 49ers-Saints

Colin Kaepernick's debut: The second-round pick took the vast majority of snaps in his 49ers debut. Call it a learning experience. Kaepernick completed 9 of 19 passes for 117 yards and no touchdowns. His passer rating was 27.6. Kaepernick tossed two interceptions, fumbled while taking a sack and could not handle a shotgun snap. He led the team in rushing with 47 yards. Coach Jim Harbaugh had shared plans to play all his quarterbacks, but he let Kaepernick play the final three quarters. That was long enough against a Saints defense that blitzed as though the outcome mattered.

Aldon Smith as a pass-rusher: The 49ers' first-round draft choice collected a sack in his first preseason game. That wasn't the only highlight. Smith played extensively with the backups and was quite active. He finished with five tackles and one forced fumble. He shed tackle Charles Brown and brought down the running back on one play. He contributed to pressure that forced quarterback Chase Daniel to scramble, albeit for a long gain. With Ahmad Brooks getting pressure from the other side and Smith consistently active, the 49ers' outside rush showed potential. This was a good start for Smith.

Tempo and overall efficiency. There weren't noticeable issues with logistics pertaining to calling the plays. There were no penalties for delay of game. Brad Seely's punt-coverage unit was flagged for having 12 men on the field, negating a block by Kenny Rowe. That would be inexcusable during the regular season, but with 90 players on the roster and a dozen practices in the rear-view mirror, stuff happens. The 49ers were rough around the edges overall. They looked like a team with a new coaching staff coming out of a lockout.
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Redskins-Steelers: instant analysisBy Ryan O’HalloranRedskins InsiderCSNwashington.comhttp://www.csnwashington.com/08/12/11/Redskins-Steelers-instant-analysis/landing.html?blockID=548362&feedID=9656

Instant analysis of the Redskins’ 16-7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers Friday night:* For having only one week of full-squad practice, the Redskins looked crisp. They didn’t commit a turnover, had only one penalty and put together a few good drives on offense. The sloppiness could arrive in the second half.* Most of the starting defense departed with three minutes left in the second half, getting19 snaps of work in.* Not a great start for Shayne Graham, who was wide left from 29 yards out and wide right on a 49-yard attempt.* Rex Grossman and most of the first-team offense played the entire first half. Grossman was 19-of-26 for 207 yards and an eight-yard touchdown pass to Santana Moss. More importantly, Grossman wasn’t crunched.* Tim Hightower showed his north-south running style that made him attractive to the Redskins. He rushed 10 times for 44 yards. This is a guy who almost embraces contact.* The defense had two sacks in the first two series and it helped that blitzing cornerback Kevin Barnes and rushing defensive end Stephen Bowen were completely unblocked on both plays. The sacks came on third down.* Receiver Jabar Gaffney caught all five passes he was thrown and finished with 38 yards receiving. He’s the clear No. 2 opposite Santana Moss in the starting lineup.* Kellen Clemens, with only a week of practice in a new system, looked comfortable leading the offense in the second half.* The first-team kickoff coverage unit: Graham Gano, Mike Sellers, Anthony Armstrong, Terrence Austin, Darrel Young, Horatio Blades, Lorenzo Alexander, Chris Horton, Byron Westbrook, Perry Riley and Rob Jackson.* The first-team defense: DeAngelo Hall and Josh Wilson at corner, Reed Doughty and Chris Horton at safety, London Fletcher and Rocky McIntosh at inside linebacker, Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan at outside linebacker, Stephen Bowen and Adam Carriker at defensive end and Barry Cofield at nose tackle.* The first offensive drive was 88 yards but equaled no points when Shayne Graham missed very wide left from 29 yards out. As we expected, Rex Grossman was on the move a lot during the drive in the form of bootlegs and also made several quick throws.* A tough initial go of it for new cornerback Josh Wilson, who was beaten once, committed a pass interference penalty and injured his right leg when Chris Horton landed on him.* Brandon Banks helped himself by returning his first punt 20 yards to the Redskins’ 33 and showing some of the elusiveness that won him the job last year. But on the next punt, he made a bad decision in not catching the punt.* The first punt return unit: Brandon Banks, Phillip Buchanon, Niles Paul, Young, Barnes, Blades, Fred Davis, Jackson, Keiland Williams and Westbrook.* Aldrick Robinson didn’t help his roster status by flubbing both of his punt return chances.* The new kickoff rule – moved up to the 35-yard line – is a complete joke. Gano had no problem kicking it out of the end zone.
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Bills WR Donald Jones will start opposite Stevie Johnson in Saturday's preseason game against the Bears.Jones will get the first crack at filling the void created after the departure of Lee Evans, while David Nelson will line up in the slot. Undrafted in 2010 out of Youngstown State, Jones had 18 receptions for 213 yards across 15 games last season. Though he has the measurables (6'0/214 with a 4.47 forty and 41-inch vertical), he's nowhere near ready to be a starter at the highest level.
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Source: BuffaloBills.com
 
Thanks to BigTex for adding to this thread!

Observations on the Saints

We know the New Orleans Saints can play offense and there’s no doubt that will happen when the regular season comes along. But the Saints didn’t even need their offense in a 24-3 victory against the San Francisco 49ers in their preseason opener at the Superdome.

The defense and special teams gave the Saints a fast start as Drew Brees and most of the first-team offense didn’t even stay in long enough to get a first down.

New Orleans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams looked like he was prepared for a playoff game, not an exhibition. He blitzed like crazy and the first-team defense was all over San Francisco starting quarterback Alex Smith. Safety Roman Harper spent as much time in the backfield as any of San Francisco’s running backs. Heck, Williams was even calling run blitzes.

The Saints also got a big boost from undrafted rookie Joe Morgan, who returned a punt 78 yards for a touchdown. People thought Darren Sproles would make everyone forget Reggie Bush, but Morgan might be making a case to stay on the roster to handle some returns.

Some other observations on the Saints.

[*]Brees left the game with about five minutes left in the first quarter and only completed one of four passes for six yards. Smart move by Sean Payton to get Brees out of there quickly. When you have a quarterback like that, you don’t need to take any chance of getting him hurt in a preseason game.

[*]Brees did throw one perfect deep pass, but Robert Meachem dropped it.

[*]Backup Chase Daniel took a big hit out of bounds soon after replacing Brees. He got up, holding his side. Made me wonder for a second if the Saints have a phone number for Jake Delhomme? He’s a Louisiana guy and, if he’s going to play again, the Saints would be a tempting option. But Daniel seemed to shake off the hit and completed 13 of 21 passes for 129 yards.

[*]The Saints didn’t even need the blitz all the time. With a bit of help from defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, Will Smith had a nice sack on Smith.

[*]Nice debut by rookie running back Mark Ingram. He had a 14-yard touchdown run at the end of the first half that brought back memories of Deuce McAllister.

[*]Linebacker Jonathan Casillas hasn’t been getting much work with the first-team defense. But he had a strong outing and that could earn him some work with the starters as camp goes on.

[*]Rookie cornerback Johnny Patrick went down near the end of the third quarter with what appeared to be a leg injury. It was unclear how serious the injury is, but the Saints already are thin at cornerback. Tracy Porter and Fabian Washington already have missed camp practices with injuries.
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