8/4 & 8/5 Training Camp Observations

[Strong Arm]

I had the pleasure of attending training camp Wednesday and Thursday this week. I attended the morning practice on Wednesday and the dreadfully hot one on Thursday.

Here's some observations I noted:

1. Matt Moore and Jeff King are normally the first players out on the field. On Wednesday Matt was the last one off as well. He seems to definitely be picking up where Jake left off fan wise.

2. For those wondering about the beard, I asked Moore about it and he said he's still getting used to it and I called it a Playoff beard haha he liked that.

3. Didn't see Edwards muff a return. He seemed to catch them without problem--maybe he has found his groove. Speaking of returns, I saw Moore, Edwards, Witherspoon lining up and practicing returns. Looked like it was Edwards, Moore, Witherspoon depth chart wise for these.

4. Saw a play where Norwood would have crushed Clausen if it wasn't for the red jersey.

5. Everette Brown is VERY quick and has a great first step. He seemed to explode quickly off the ball during drills.

6. Beason was being very vocal and showing his leadership role during the defensive drills. He was telling players to get lower, where to go, and helping them get things under control position wise. Great leadership.

7. Wednesday Beason was also one of the fan favorites and I saw him come over to TattooedRhino after practice. He was there for a while signing autographs posing for pictures and interacting with fans. Great guy.

8. Steve Smith looked GREAT in his drills. Wednesday they incorporated hurdles and a few tosses his way. I never saw Steve go anything less than full speed. He definitely is one of the hardest worker and lives up to his reputation. He was VERY quick and seemed to make the catches without a problem. He also threw a pass back to his coach and it looked great with speed and a nice spiral.

9. Steve Smith also signed autographs and interacted with the fans like I've never seen him do on Wednesday and Thursday. Was great to see him do that. And the kids loved it.

10. Thursday was dreadfully hot and muggy. The only saving point happened when the clouds covered the sun and it was overcast for a few. Very hot.

11. They had a lot of goal line drills with NFL refs that came in to signal TD or incomplete or pass interference. I don't think I saw K. Moore drop anything both days. Seriously. He was KILLING it. He made some very nice plays and catches. LaFellel and Edwards did good as well--Jarret was decent (he dropped a few and looked like he got stripped on a play). They did a few TE goal line drills and Jeff King had a crazy 1 handed catch in the end zone and spiked it between his legs celebrating. It was great. Rossario and Barnige had some nice catches as well. Barnige caught some deep balls too.

12. WRs: As mentioned, Moore catches everything in sight. LaFellel was definitely playing great and made some VERY nice grabs. He seems to also be a favorite target (behind the TEs) for Matt Moore. Edwards made a few nice grabs as well and has very quick feet running routes. He made a nice grab towards the end of practice that went for what looked like 15-20 yards. Believe it or not, Jarret did make a nice catch during the final drills against the defense and it got a very nice crowd response. I saw Gettis drop more than anyone today. Hit him in the numbers once and it dropped and another time he had it in his hands and dropped. Jackson looks good out there as well--so does Wright. I don't believe I saw them drop anything. Oliver Young wasn't too bad--he didn't drop as many as Gettis either.

13. DeAngelo had some nice catches out of the backfield and some very good runs. He looks ready to pick up where he left off last year.

14. Saw Thomas Davis wearing a boot on Thursday. Saw Goodson wearing a leg brace.

15. Steve Smith talking about Wake Forest to Moore (WR) "Only good things from there were Chris Paul and Tim Duncan. Rest of 'em are nothing but drunks and bums." Hahaha

16. Saw Stephen Davis out there--he chatted with a few fans on Thursday.

17. Edwards was by far the fan favorite on Thursday. So many people wearing cheering, clapping, and just out there supporting him. He may be the most popular jersey very soon.

18. Saw Kasay nail what looked like a 50+ yarder.

19. Jeff King took a piss in the bushes. Haha.

Overall, it was a great two days at Camp and I enjoyed it. Looking forward to the upcoming season.

[Achilles]

Thanks for the update. Good info about the passing game. From what I gather from this board it seems like Matt Moore is having an excellent camp. If Clausen was pushing him for the starting job at this point I would have thought we'd be in trouble. But it seems like he is the clear #1, That also means that Smitty won't have to adjust to a new QB when he comes back in Sept. Hope lafell and Jarrett can contribute. Edwards contributing in the passing game seems remote. Love the TE situation...not too sure about the FB situation...

I'd like to hear more about the defense and how they are coming along. Some good comments about E Brown. Speed is what this defense is all about, so his quickness is key. What about the DTs, How are Anderson and COnner looking? How are our DB's looking, esp Martin...?

THanks again for the update.

[countryboi]

14. Saw Thomas Davis wearing a boot on Thursday. Saw Goodson wearing a leg brace.

seems like that would be the other way around....anyway thanks for the update dude

[CharlotteBeer.com]

Steve Smith looked GREAT in his drills. Wednesday they incorporated hurdles and a few tosses his way. I never saw Steve go anything less than full speed. He definitely is one of the hardest worker and lives up to his reputation. He was VERY quick and seemed to make the catches without a problem. He also threw a pass back to his coach and it looked great with speed and a nice spiral

Wildcat?

In all seriousness, thanks for the very thorough write up. You've hit on some things that others haven't, but I also like reading the same things over and over because it means everybody is seeing it. I'm particularly happy to read that Moore and LaFell look good -- I think we've got our second and third receivers in those guys.

I also love hearing that Moore has really taken his new role seriously. I can't wait to see what that guy can do now that he's actually coming into the season as the unquestioned starter.

Does Edwards really look that impressive returning? I'm rooting for the guy and it does sound like he's improving in that regard every day, but I really thought Witherspoon would win that job. He's very quick and has the experience. But if Edwards can win it, I guess that's all the better. I just thought he'd take a bit of time to learn the returner and receiver positions.

Thanks again for the report.

[Seltzer]

Good write-up...

Matt Moore definitely looked good when I was there last week, and hopefully he will continue where he left off last year. He seems to have great chemistry with WR Kenny Moore (who impressed when I was there and evidently has all camp long) and the TE's. I saw King and Barnidge make some great catches.

One thing I saw that really impressed me too is that they seem to be running a lot more seam routes with the TE straight up the middle (and executing). I am excited about that b/c a lot of times it seemed Jake either went long down field or dumped to the backs.

I really don't think Jarrett will make this roster, unfortunately. He makes some catches but he is never consistent enough. I think right now Kenny Moore will be starting week 1 across from Smitty and LeFell will probably be the #3. Wallace Wright is a special teams ace and he can catch, and I think he will be the active #4 on game days. Armanti Edwards will be kept as the #5 receiver and as a PR/KR. There is an outside chance there will be another returner kept like Trent Guy, Dexter Jackson, etc. but they will be expected to contribute on special teams and Jarrett does not. Jarrett is the biggest reciever they have, but he looks like he is the absolute slowest on the roster getting out of his breaks and most of the balls he catches are where he comes across the middle and shields the defender to make the catch. I don't think he can ever consistently be anything mosre than a possesion receiver. And while I think he is probably better as a WR than Wallace Wright, his lack of playing special teams and not being able to capture one of the top 3 spots means he will be on the outside looking in.

It's harder to gauge the defense b/c everyone goes to training camp for the most part wanting to see the offense, but the defense does look very fast this year, but not as big as other teams.

Beason is definitely the most vocal guy out there and flies around everywhere. There are a LOT of new guys out there, and the defensive coaches are talking (and yelling) and hopefully coaching a lot.

I think the defense will be OK. Probably not dominant but Fox is a very good defensive coach and I think these guys will get good enough coaching to be a respectable unit.

Our offense is going to have to score some points, though, no doubt. And I think we have the potential to do that.

Regardless, I think this team will be exciting to watch. There is definitely a lot of energy out there with these young guys.

[Jpjr]

Thanks for the update. Good info about the passing game. From what I gather from this board it seems like Matt Moore is having an excellent camp. If Clausen was pushing him for the starting job at this point I would have thought we'd be in trouble. But it seems like he is the clear #1, That also means that Smitty won't have to adjust to a new QB when he comes back in Sept. Hope lafell and Jarrett can contribute. Edwards contributing in the passing game seems remote. Love the TE situation...not too sure about the FB situation...

I'd like to hear more about the defense and how they are coming along. Some good comments about E Brown. Speed is what this defense is all about, so his quickness is key. What about the DTs, How are Anderson and COnner looking? How are our DB's looking, esp Martin...?

THanks again for the update.

It is definitely Matt Moore's job to lose. That said, when last asked about the QB situation Fox said Moore is looking great but production on the field is all that matters.

[mr beauxjangles]

Everyone seems to be mentioning Beason's obvious leadership (we know this). But I don't think I've seen anyone directly mention how he is interacting with Connor. I'm curious if he's been hands off to an extent, or if he's giving Connor direction. A lack of interaction would sigal great confidence in Connor from Beason, which to me would men a lot more than praise from coaches, etc. After all, this is the guy taking over his position...a position he dominates.

[Baschski]

I'm getting pretty excited about Kenny Moore. It sounds like he has been working extremely hard this off-season. If he could come out and be a legitimate down-field threat this year it would help our passing game immensely. Moore and Lafell out wide with Smitty in the slot...that could be lethal.

[MadHatter]

How big is Kenny Moore? The reason I ask is that there is no way we do not have a big blocking WR as the #2 with Smitty....just completely against everythign that Fox believes in.

[Darth Biscuit]

Excellent, thanks...

[MHS831]

I think Lafell will be #2 and Moore will be the third WR, who may play on the outside as Smith moves inside. Jarrett will not make it past the cuts. Someone like Denver will sign him immediately. Gettis may have special teams value as well, with his size and speed. For the third preseason game, when the starters get the most time, I expect to see the following (please disagree with some of these because I am very unsure of some):

RG: Duke Robinson (very questionable)

WR: Smith, Lafell. -- Moore, Wright, Edwards (D. Jackson and Gettis to PS?)

LB: Connor, Beason, Williams

FS: Martin (working him at SS when the go cover 3 is confusing to me).

Questions: What can Jarrett do that Barnidge/Rosario can't? What does Jarrett have to offer special teams? A: Nothing in both cases.

[Strong Arm]

I'd like to hear more about the defense and how they are coming along. Some good comments about E Brown. Speed is what this defense is all about, so his quickness is key. What about the DTs, How are Anderson and COnner looking? How are our DB's looking, esp Martin...?

I can't remember off the top of my head how the DBs were looking. I saw a few picks but cannot for the life of me recall who did them.

And I honestly cannot recall anything about Conner or Anderson that stood out to me. Sorry. I was focusing a lot more on our Offense and just saw the Defense generally on Wednesday.

When I watched the Defense on Wednesday, Beason was definitely displaying his leadership and I really do not recall him having to tell Conner anything.

seems like that would be the other way around....anyway thanks for the update dude

Davis had a knee type brace and Goodson had a a big walking boot. Sorry I think I mixed 'em up.

Wildcat?

Does Edwards really look that impressive returning? I'm rooting for the guy and it does sound like he's improving in that regard every day, but I really thought Witherspoon would win that job. He's very quick and has the experience. But if Edwards can win it, I guess that's all the better. I just thought he'd take a bit of time to learn the returner and receiver positions.

Thanks again for the report.

Haha yeah that's what I thought when I saw Smitty throw it like that.

The way they were lining up yesterday had Edwards returning first. It's hard to say "impressive" returning at this point as they are not going against anyone. But he was "impressive" in the regards of not dropping or fumbling any. It will definitely take him some time to learn the WR role but he is VERY athletic and shouldn't have a problem learning.

I went to App State for undergrad and Edwards definitely has the heart and athleticism that should pay off in the long run.

Looking forward to some football.

Forgot to say on a sidenote, I spoke to Gross about the Chicago game. In short, he's looking forward to it.

The starting QB job is definitely Moore's to lose and he seems so far ahead of everyone at this point. I believe we have a SOLID trio of TEs.

[OneBadassCat]

I'd love to see a few plays where we put Otah on Peppers and just tell him to run him over.

[TheRealDeal]

Does Moore seem to have better chemistry with some receivers more than others? Some have reported that the "Moore2Moore" connection looks good and someone else reported he likes throwing to LaFell. I was wondering if he favors someone more than others? Is he hitting all the tight ends or does he have a favorite?

Thanks to all who report from camp...it is much appreciated!!!