CAMP REPORT DAY 5
This is going to be brief as some things have come up at home that require my attention.
First off, no pics today. Not a good vantage point and the players were standing on the sideline blocking many views.
Met up with
@8to12 today! Haven't seen each other in a couple of years. Always good seeing old friends.
Kick off team and return team drills. The kicking team only sent like five players down the field to cover the return man where the receiving team had the full compliment. Needles to say, some nice returns were show cased.
Matt Gay and Austin MacGinnis traded off the kicking duties. Gay consistently sent the ball 5-8 yards deep in the endzone (one exception, fielded at the two). MacGinnis was consistently shorter on the kicks, not one I can remember made it into the endzone.
#30 Calais, #34 Funk and #18 Haydel were the return men. Calais I would say had the edge over Funk who had the edge over Haydel. Calais was good at catching and securing the ball then was smooth in his runbacks with some shifty moves. Funk also secured the ball well and his speed was evident along with his ability to change direction. Haydel seems like a long strider but once up to speed he is fast. His hands were good, like the others but he just didn't seem to have the moves to change direction or make players miss him.
11x11 showcased both QB's (#9 and #13) throwing some real nice passes. For the better part of the session, both were throwing where only the receiver could catch it. The first bad throw came from Stafford. Henderson snuck out of the backfield and angled towards the left sideline. Stafford overthrew him badly. Hendo was wide open. I don't think anyone could have caught that ball.
There were two interceptions, first by Ramsey and then by Orr. Both thrown by Wolford. This was after Stafford hurt his thumb and was pulled from practice. That whole sequence after Stafford went out was horrible for Wolford, He let a clean snap from shotgun get by him then made a desperate throw to a covered receiver. Not a smart play.
#81 Skow was getting some serious opportunities today and he made the best of it. That kid is tall! #12 Jefferson also showed his skills, catching everything thrown his way, unless it was batted away. I also think he was the victim of a rather rough push to the ground/out of bounds by Ramsey.
As far as running backs, Henderson, Jones, Calais and Funk all got some reps. My feeling is Jones is not going to make it. He seems to get swallowed up by the defense. Henderson although a veteran, didn't seem like the type to carry the load as the featured back. Not big enough to take the beatings of an every down back. Calais could use some fine tuning of finding the hole and should be okay. Funk is my favorite. Just love watching him with the ball in his hands. If he is placed on the practice squad, he won't last there. Heck, he may not clear waivers! We've got to hang on to him.
Speaking of hanging on to players. I would wager one million ROD bucks (if I had them) that when it comes down to cutting players, more players will be pick up by other teams than not. Let me say it this way, all of our wide receivers and tight ends have a place in the NFL. We just can't accommodate them all! The ones cut will be picked up. With the exception of special teams players (kicker and punters), those guys may not find a new home. But then again, Sam Ficken just signed and new deal so anything is possible. Defensive players are also all very good! Many of our cuts will be picked up by other teams. We are just loaded with talent!
I must go now, maybe I'll remember more later and will add to this thread.
take care
VRF