Training camp 2011 news

[painekiller]

Thanks Arky for posting that.

I was out there this morning, and I am excited by what I saw. (I know koolaid)

Steve Slaton was looking like the Steve Slaton of two years ago, but as my nephew reminded me, I thought Chris Henry looked like the real deal in practice last year.

Dorin Dickerson has really stepped up his game. He is looking like he deserves some playing time. They put him in tight one time and he flattened the OLB on the run play. Plus he seemed to catch everything in sight.

Leinart is a huge upgrade over the Dan O. He is accurate and shows a lot of touch. Down side is he not very mobile.

Joesph had some good plays and some not so good moments.

Just to to be fair to Jackson, he made some bad plays early, mixed in with some good reps, but he had a huge breakup at the goal line in red zone drills. The crowd went crazy for the kid.

Winston was mauled by Barwin on one of his few rush attempts. It would have been a huge sack. Barwin is an animal.

Nading was flashing all day long, could have had something to do with he is working with the 3rd team.

Danieal Manning had a huge kickoff return, oh and he can play a little safety. Want to add he was victimized by Owen Daniels who made a great catch while in tight coverage Manning.

Speaking of Owen, he is catching everything. He looked like the OD of old.

Lestar Jean, Toliver, and Maehl are trying to make the job for Kubiak to pick who is cut a hard one. All looked good.

News alert Anthony Hill still cannot catch a cold.

Heading back out there tomorrow, will try to update you guys then.

[Keith]

Thank pk for the notes. Very helpful!

Curious to see how Barwin progresses this season. Earl Mitchell too. These two could be big keys to how the defense improves this season. Lots of good early reports on Watt, too, which is nice, but I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't still a big adjustment waiting for him his rookie year transitioning to the NFL's regular season. Still, encouraging feedback on his camp so far.

Let us know what you see from any of the rookies if you get a chance.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Keith

Thank pk for the notes. Very helpful!

Curious to see how Barwin progresses this season. Earl Mitchell too. These two could be big keys to how the defense improves this season. Lots of good early reports on Watt, too, which is nice, but I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't still a big adjustment waiting for him his rookie year transitioning to the NFL's regular season. Still, encouraging feedback on his camp so far.

Let us know what you see from any of the rookies if you get a chance.

I watched Watts a lot today, and all I can say is he appears to be a man among boys. On one play, I'm watching the ball, and all the sudden a huge pile is created in the middle of the line. Watts had taken the OT into the OG and and put both on the ground. I'm telling you the he is impressing me already.

Reed looks OK, has a high motor and he was the guy chasing Leinart, which prompted me to say Matt was not very mobile.

I forgot to look and watch Harris, will try to tomorrow.

Yates looked pretty good for a rookie, he has shown pose, he has size, and better arm strength than Schaub. Looks like he can be a future 2, maybe more?

I only saw Keo on a few plays and I noticed he was not on the Kick off teams we watched today.

Bryan Braman UDFA from West Texas A&M, really wants to make this team. He is playing ILB also and he made a hit that put someone on his ass, I'm sorry but I missed who it was. Also he was heard from across the field yelling “You gotta love your job! Every rep!” during a water break.

Cheta is playing ILB and he looked OK to me, probably a PS guy, but we don't have many ILBs in camp.

Saw a guy running sprints on the back field who looked like a RB with his speed, turned out to be UDFA Mister Alexander ILB from Florida State.

Most of the notes I gave in my first report where things I saw without them being in the early reports form the Chron.com

As for the 1st team Offense, most of the time they looked good in the run game. When we did the red zone work, it seemed to me that the offense won some and the defense won some. Which is what I want to see.

The team is better then it has been in a long time. It reminds me of the feel of the Oilers in the late 80's right as they started their playoff run, a lot of talent that is trying to learn to win. Health, Health and Health is going to be a big key.

I'll get some more tomorrow.

[nunusguy]

Good stuff PK, will look forward to same after this mornings practice.
I'll add a couple things from my visit to practice yesterday where I spent most of my time over at the one-on-ones between Dlineman/LBs and Olineman before leaving early.
I thought Brooks Reed was maybe the most impressive individual because of his outstanding quickness - that guy really gets out of the blocs, but he is on the smallish side which makes one think he's not destined to be an everydown defender ?
At the other extreme is Mario who showed great strength as he ran over Winstons azz with his bull rush, but I just don't see the quickness with him you'd expect from an elite 4-3 edge rusher let alone a 3-4 OLB ? And what was interesting was that after awhile they let the LBs go elsewhere and just kept the Dlineman to do one-on-ones vs the Olineman, except Mario remained behind with the Dlineman ? Maybe that speaks to the hybrid nature of his position, or maybe something else, I dunno ?