Training Camp/Preseason Talk

[Matt McGuire]

This is where you post anything relating to stuff in preseason (basically in Tarvaris Jackson crap goes in here).

From Rotoworld.com

*Lions rookie RB Kevin Smith has shown he can pick up blitzes and catch the ball out of the backfield.
Blocking has never been a strong suit for Tatum Bell, so the rookie could have a leg up on the competition for No. 1 running back. Though Smith added that he would like to spend some time in the slot eventually, we wouldn't count on seeing that any time soon.

I'm predicting Kevin Smith to be the #1 fantasy RB. Good call so far if he can do the little things in camp.

*The Bengals are reportedly growing concerned about how slow their young receivers have been to pick up the offense.
Position coach Mike Sheppard laid into his pupils, telling them to read their playbook instead of watching DVDs at night. Second-round pick Jerome Simpson has continued his struggles from minicamp, dropping a long touchdown Friday. The youngsters have been playing a lot with Chad Johnson (ankle) sidelined.

What a joke. I can't believe they took him in the 2nd round.

[Blazedestin]

Well, they ARE the Bungles. Simpson is extremely raw, but could become a legit #2 WR in the NFL. No way he ever lives up to his 2nd round billing.

And you're predicting Smith to be the #1 Fantasy in what, Detroit's backfield? Rookies? Overall?

[Matt McGuire]

Well, they ARE the Bungles. Simpson is extremely raw, but could become a legit #2 WR in the NFL. No way he ever lives up to his 2nd round billing.

And you're predicting Smith to be the #1 Fantasy in what, Detroit's backfield? Rookies? Overall?

Production wise, mainly because I expect a lot of carries. And yes, I do expect him to be #1 overall as well:

http://www.walterfootball.com/mattfantasyrookies.php

[PuppyPuncher]

Joe Flacco was constipated on the field today.

[supremeworldemperor]

Robert Meachem had a phenomenal practice today. Drew Brees connected with him on tons of passes, and he was the star of the practice.

For all his troubles last season, Meachem is still a stud athlete, and he is making a serious case for the #2 receiver spot. I think he could be a valuable late-rounder. He has really turned himself around.

[Matt McGuire]

Robert Meachem had a phenomenal practice today. Drew Brees connected with him on tons of passes, and he was the star of the practice.

For all his troubles last season, Meachem is still a stud athlete, and he is making a serious case for the #2 receiver spot. I think he could be a valuable late-rounder. He has really turned himself around.

Bad to hear for me as a Bucs fan, but he needs to step up in preseason.

I still think they should have taken Poz in the 2007 draft.

[IlliniVikeFan23]

August 1st Camp Notes

http://ww3.startribune.com/vikingsblog/

-The Vikings were a little depleted at wide receiver today. Bernard Berrian, Bobby Wade and Sidney Rice missed all or most of individual and/or team drills. Rice had a bag of ice on his right arm as left the locker room but he told Judd that his reduced workload was a coach’s decision. The coaching staff is trying to ease Wade’s workload to help his left knee. We still don’t know what Berrian’s status is. He did not travel to River Falls last night. Judd is trying to get more on that right now.

-Frazier mentioned DT Fred Evans, LB David Herron and LB Heath Farwell as guys who played well against the Chiefs while getting more reps with all the starters absent.

-The Vikings were in shorts and shoulder pads today. The highlight of the day came during a three-play sequence at the end of 11-on-11. Wide receiver Robert Ferguson found a small pocket in the secondary and Tarvaris Jackson threaded a pass for a 15-yard completion. Jackson followed with a play-action fake and zipped a 20-yarder to Aundrae Allison. But on the next play Jackson made a mistake and underthrew Jaymar Johnson in the end zone. Brandon Sumrall had inside position, but Johnson reached over him and nearly came down with the completion. Johnson couldn’t hold onto the ball but he prevented what could have been an interception.

-DE Ray Edwards did more live work today and moved pretty well. Frazier was pleased with how Edwards looked coming off the back injury.

-Special teams coordinator Paul Ferraro said it’s still too early to determine the returners, but he said Allison and Jaymar Johnson will get the most reps on punt return in the preseason game against Seattle next week. On kickoff returns he mentioned Maurice Hicks, Allison and Albert Young.

http://www.kfan.com/pages/vikings/ca...otebook8_1.htm

- Bernard Berrian and Bobby Wade both participated at practice, albeit in a minimal role. Wade and Berrian were both held out of Thursday night’s scrimmage because of minor injuries.

Sidney Rice was on the field Friday as well, but he didn’t participate in anything other than individual drills.

Garrett Mills sat out once again with a sore ankle, and CB Marcus Walker sat out with a sore hand. Marcus McCauley injured his knee at River Falls, and he was also MIA.

Aundrae Allison and Martin Nance each wore wraps around one knee.

- Marcus Johnson continues to see time at RT with the first team offense, but Ryan Cook still takes 80% of the reps.

- Ray Edwards saw his most extensive action since returning from a back injury. He mixed in during individual and 11-on-11 drills after standing off to the side during Thursday night’s scrimmage.

- Tarvaris Jackson had one of his more accurate days of training camp on Friday. He started the action with a slant pass to Robert Ferguson during 7-on-7 drills. One play later, Jackson threaded the needle to an unknown wide receiver, over the outstretched hand of E.J. Henderson and underneath an oncoming safety. The pass fell incomplete, but Jackson continues to show his fearlessness.

- S Eric Frampton continues to see reps with the second team defense, while Michael Boulware is buried with the third team.

- Jaymar Johnson made a handful of nice catches on Friday, including a couple tip-toe catches along the sideline on balls thrown by Gus Frerotte. Special Teams Coordinator Paul Ferrarro said Johnson will return a kick or two during next week’s preseason game against Seattle.

- Speaking of Frerotte, he’s been really shaky throughout the first week of practice, although he admits to being swamped with the new terminology. Gus fared much better on Friday, completing several passes to young wide receivers. Even if Gus is shaky, he doesn’t stand much of a chance to be usurped by John David Booty or Brooks Bollinger.

- During 11-on-11 drills, with Wade, Rice and Berrian off to the side, Jackson’s favorite target was Aundrae Allison. Allison is sure to see an increased role on offense this year, but Paul Ferrarro said Allison will also get a lot of run at both punt return and kick return.

- Another note about the 11-on-11 drills… Both Gus and Tarvaris (but especially Gus) were leaning heavily on short passes to fullbacks and running backs. This should come as no surprise to anyone who’s watched Brad Childress’ offense over the last two years, but it’s worth a mention nevertheless.

- To give you an example of how well Jackson played Friday, here’s a short play-by-play of the 1st team O vs. 1st team D version of the live 11-on-11 session. Chains in play, downs in play, headsets in play.

1st down from somewhere around the 35-yardline (going the long way).

- Jackson tosses to Thomas Tapeh for a 5-yard gain.

- Adrian Peterson bursts to the right for an 8-yard run. First down.

- Chad Greenway and E.J. Henderson came through on a blitz, forcing Jackson to scramble and throw the ball away.

- Jackson to Nate Jones near the right sideline for a 6-yard gain.

- On 3rd-and-4, Jackson ran up the middle on a designed draw play for about seven yards. First down.

- From the opposing side’s 48-yardline, Jackson found Robert Ferguson in a window off to his left for a 13-yard connection. First down.

- One play later, Jackson faked a handoff to Adrian Peterson, looked to his right and fired a bullet to Aundrae Allison, who made the catch in traffic over the left hashmarks. 20 yards, and another first down.

- Jackson almost made a huge mistake when he lobbed a pass to Jaymar Johnson in the back left corner of the endzone. CB Brandon Sumrall (with the first team offense for some reason…) had inside position, and the ball wasn’t thrown to Johnson’s back shoulder. The two fought for the ball, but it fell incomplete. Both men had a shot, but the pass was thrown too far to the inside.

- Jackson scrambled right for 7 yards on the next play, setting up a 3rd-and-short.

- Jackson found Martin Nance for a first down off to the right near the goal line, setting up 1st-and-goal.

And, for whatever reason, coaches decided to end practice on that note… No dramatic goal line stand. Probably because players were wearing shorts… What’s the point of lining up for a goal line stand when the defense can’t get down and dirty?

[PuppyPuncher]

Ravens News:
Mike Preston hates every single Ravens player and hates everything the Ravens did today.

[IlliniVikeFan23]

-In non-football related news, Jared Allen shaved his Grizzly Adams beard. He participated in a photo shoot after practice with Pat Williams, Kevin Williams and Ray Edwards, but insisted that he shaved because the beard was itchy. And he wanted the Fu Man ‘stache. Jared now has a Fu Man mustache with a Tim Hudson patch under his bottom lip.

[Matt McGuire]

Steve Smith sent home after fight with Ken Lucas.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/traini...ory?id=3514554

[packman_jon]

In addition to the run-pass option, 5 wide sets and shovel passes, Mike McCarthy announced today the Packers will employ a decoy ball to confuse opponents

[PuppyPuncher]

It's looking very obvious that Troy Smith will be the starter for the Ravens. Chris McAlister also looks sharp, so suck it Walter.

[IlliniVikeFan23]

Walter I can't beleive you said Tarvaris Jackson is having an abysmal camp because he isn't. All you probably seen was that story posted on PFT where it said he threw two picks. Just because he had one bad day you say he is having a horrible camp?

[packman_jon]

On a serious note, from what you posted IVF (and compared to Rodger's Camp), he doesn't look very impressive. Outside of his mobility, just seems to the same old, same old average QB with mobility.

If he threw 2 picks in one session...heck that's more picks than the combined 3 QBs for GB (Harris picked off an underthrown route early in camp).

No doubt he's the starting QB for the Vikings. Anywhere else...can't think of any other team he would start for (unless they harness his mobility like say in a zone-read/spread scheme)

[IlliniVikeFan23]

On a serious note, from what you posted IVF (and compared to Rodger's Camp), he doesn't look very impressive. Outside of his mobility, just seems to the same old, same old average QB with mobility.

If he threw 2 picks in one session...heck that's more picks than the combined 3 QBs for GB (Harris picked off an underthrown route early in camp).

No doubt he's the starting QB for the Vikings. Anywhere else...can't think of any other team he would start for (unless they harness his mobility like say in a zone-read/spread scheme)

Uuh, No. That is impossible. That must mean your secondary sucks ass if they only have one INT for the whole camp.

I heard on NFLN that Brian Brohm was not doing that great.

Don't forget that Jackson is also going up against the best defense in the NFL. That should make him better.