My Training Camp Observations

[Strong Arm]

This was my first time observing training camp. I actually am heading back there this week as well and will just use this thread to update what I noticed different.

I went this past week Thursday evening and Friday morning's sessions. These were the sessions before Fan Fest in Charlotte. Here are a few of my observations. I got to training camp early both times.

-I noticed there were A LOT of guys with bags and bags of items to attempt to get signed by the players. And surprisingly there were MORE people at the Friday morning session than in the evening session.

-Jake will go above and beyond the call of duty to sign anything for his fans, to take pictures, etc. Good guy. Same can be said for Brad Hoover and John Fox as well.

-I talked briefly with Beason early on about his hamstring and he reassured its just a precaution, and was even on the bike and doing light running on it. Glad to hear this.

-Jarret left the Friday session early as it seemed he was just shaken up though. I was also impressed at his catching abilities during a lot of the drills... hopefully the drops are gone.

-Moose is in great shape and had great fan interaction. He also was taking a lot of the younger WRs aside and seemed to be talking/mentoring them.

-Peppers is well Peppers. Is very quick... he didn't have ANY fan interaction and just kept his head down as well.

-DeAnglo didn't have any fan interaction either... he did look good out there running the ball though. Stewart looked good as well along with Goodson. A lot of Goodson's reps were coming on goal line carries. Also they had a drill where the running backs were catching a lot of balls out of the backfield...

-Steve Smith was constantly hustling and running around. He was putting in 110% effort at all times it seemed. He also had incredible fan interaction.

-I didn't get a good view of the defense where I was... but did see a few of their plays on Friday. They looked good and quick. Should be another good year for them.

-Otah is larger in person....

It was very hot out there and glad I got to go. Working on checking out one or two more sessions before their time at Wofford is done. Will update with what I notice/observe.

[mayormaier]

Nice Thread, I went once and Jake was probably the friendliest of them all. Peppers wouldn't even take his helmet off, it was kinda weird. Thomas Davis was actually really cool and at the time we had Jenkins who was Massive and pretty funny. Colbert who was a wash was a really nice guy too but didn't really impress me, he didn't have an extremely athletic build.

[Strong Arm]

Nice Thread, I went once and Jake was probably the friendliest of them all. Peppers wouldn't even take his helmet off, it was kinda weird. Thomas Davis was actually really cool and at the time we had Jenkins who was Massive and pretty funny. Colbert who was a wash was a really nice guy too but didn't really impress me, he didn't have an extremely athletic build.

Jake and Hoover are by far the nicest. I have heard horror stories about Jenkins though...

[Strong Arm]

Today I observed the morning session of TC as well. I had some free time and made the drive down... well worth it. Plus I wanted to see how they bounced back from the preseason loss to the Giants.

Here's what I noticed:

-A LOT of people were there this morning...

-Jake and Hoover were by far extremely nice to everyone. So was Kasay. Lehman (spelling) got a lot of attention as well. Goodson and Robinson got some great attention also.

-Goodson was carted off the field late practice... didn't look like anything major though as I did see him walk when they got back to the field house... seemed to be just precautionary.

-Davis, Stewart, and a few others were continuing to go through the drills of push ups, riding stationary bike, and doing light stretching/sprints. Davis DID A LOT of sprints.

-Saw Jake working a lot more with the young rookie WRs than his usual staff of Moose and Smith. They were catching the ball though and looked pretty good.

-Peppers and Brayton are still QUICK. Saw a few defensive drills in action and they were constantly racing one another for the finish.

-It was a longer than usual practice... what I mean by that is they were over the 2 hour mark out there and still going. It was very hot out. Putting in work. Also after the team gathering in the middle of the field, the offense was released and the defense was seen running sprints at the end of practice.

-Smith as usual stayed longer than anyone and put in extra time on the field.

-DeAnglo was very limited in his fan interactions, but made a few stops. Peppers not so much--he hasn't always been like this not sure what's gotten him lately. Moose went above and beyond the call of duty today with all the fans.

-DeAnglo was also giving the rookie Lee a hard time haha during a strip the ball drill... Stewart was cracking people up during stretches...

If anything else comes to mind I'll post it up... but it was a great time.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

In defense of any player who does not accomodate fans during practice or at fan fest, I can relate.

I would hate it if people showed up in the parking lot before I started work pestering me and wanting to talk. I have nothing against crowds, I just can't stand the people in them. To think I would have to deal with distractions before, during and after work is rediculous (I am exagerating a bit for clarity).

Some people will say that it is part of the business but I have to disagree. Nobody signs a contract with escalators on the number of autographs you sign. I realize this is cold but the guys that are being nice are extremely accomodating. I think the other guys are just trying to maintain normalcy.

Just throwing out a different perspective.

[Strong Arm]

In defense of any player who does not accomodate fans during practice or at fan fest, I can relate.

I would hate it if people showed up in the parking lot before I started work pestering me and wanting to talk. I have nothing against crowds, I just can't stand the people in them. To think I would have to deal with distractions before, during and after work is rediculous (I am exagerating a bit for clarity).

Some people will say that it is part of the business but I have to disagree. Nobody signs a contract with escalators on the number of autographs you sign. I realize this is cold but the guys that are being nice are extremely accomodating. I think the other guys are just trying to maintain normalcy.

Just throwing out a different perspective.

Definitely agree with this and thanks for showing the other side of things.

To clarify things a bit, what I meant about "accommodating" was at least acknowledging your fans and so forth. I don't know a smile or anything would have done more than just ducking down and not looking at anyone/anything.

I definitely agree though that things could get out of hand, annoying, and so forth. For part of the business side though, I would think it is a factor (not a complete one but it is a part) as a lot of these players making impressions on fans could factor into their merchandise and so forth being sold as well. Not saying its a big part of the business equation but it could turn some people off from being a fan of them.

[Captroop]

It behooves you to have fans. After all, you get royalties for every one of your jerseys that sells. Of course being a superstar helps, but being a fan favorite can line your wallet just as well

[Snake]

I dont think players should have to try to sign every thing for everyone but a few a day should not be much trouble. That kinda just goes along with the job and the fans are who give there hard earned money so the players can be paid. No fans=no paycheck.

[Strong Arm]

It behooves you to have fans. After all, you get royalties for every one of your jerseys that sells. Of course being a superstar helps, but being a fan favorite can line your wallet just as well

Definitely agree. Good aspect here.

I dont think players should have to try to sign every thing for everyone but a few a day should not be much trouble. That kinda just goes along with the job and the fans are who give there hard earned money so the players can be paid. No fans=no paycheck.

Couldn't agree more... a lot of players were definitely doing this as they would sign here and there like every few days or so. Those that went above and beyond the call of duty were doing it for almost everyone and for the majority of times before/after practice.