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Well, with one week down and in the books for 2007 training camp, I thought we should give a little wrap-up as to who is turning heads, and who is making us wince (with much gratitude to Kaylore, So Cal, Mindfield, Andrew Mason and others who have been gracious enough to keep all of us updated!):
Who's hot:
Jay Cutler - clearly having a great camp. Sure he has some off times, but overall it sounds like there is zip on his passes, he is making good reads, is working hard and making a lot of progress
Travis Henry - after he settled into things, I've not heard really any bad comments about him. He seems to be running with authority, getting more comfortable with his blockers, and bowling into people (just ask Lynch).
Javon Walker - set to have an All-Pro type year. He is going to to Pro Bowl this year and looks already to be in mid-season form.
Brandon Stokely - filling in nicely into his temporary #2 wide position. This is looking like a steal for Sundquist and Co.
Brian Clark - sounds like with the expanded opportunity for playing time due to injuries, he has really stepped up. When you have players like Bailey, Javon, Cutler and Rod talking about him, you know he must be doing something right. I can't really see how he would ever be more than a ST contributor, but its nice to know he has something there in case.
Tom Nalen - solid, reliable, veteran leadership on the line. Lets hope the question marks get filled around him.
Sam Adams - even though he's a renter, what a pickup if he stays healthy! Sounds like his play so far has been dominant. He's big, quick, explodes into blocking schemes and disrupts the backfield. Awesome! He's also filling some of the leadership gap from Al's departure (whom we all miss).
Jarvis Moss - I think aside from the little knee scare the other day, most reports are very positive from him. Reports of his burst and ability to contribute on pass situations sound completely on target, and it sounds like he is picking things up very well. It sounds like Bates has a good feeling about him.
Tim Crowder - another impressive rookie DE. Making his mark against the run, should develop into a consistent player for us. People are now comparing him to Courtney Brown without the injuries. Lets hope they're right!
Bly & Bailey (and the entire secondary) - Wow! Show me someone who's not salivating over the prospect of what our secondary could be with all this talent and I'll show you a Raider/Chiefs/Chargers fan. Bailey is Bailey (no surpise that he's on top of his game), but Bly sounds like everything we had hoped for. Even reports of his non-aggressive tackling seem so far to have been exaggerated. Abdullah sounds like the heir-apparent to Lynch. Crazy that we are crazy with talent here after not drafting a safety.
Who's Not:
Brandon Marshall - in the end, I feel bad for the guy. Lingering injuries really aren't anyone's fault. Still, there's only so many times a coach can tell a player he needs to get healthy and start practicing before he finds himself in the doghouse. He's got a TON of talent, but needs to be able to practice and show it off. For his sake it better be soon.
Alvin McKinley - talk about getting lost in the shuffle. He went from projected starter when we signed him to 3rd/4th team behind Kennedy, Adams, and Thomas. Now it looks like he's just fighting to keep a spot on the team.
Kenard Lang - I agree with others here on the board, its confusing that he is where he is on the depth chart. Its almost as if he was never really given a chance this time around. Regardless, he appears to be on his way out unless something dramatic happens in preseason or Shanahan and Co finally decide to quit their infatuation with Engelberger.
Mike Bell - Again, someone who seems like they have a ton of talent, who's game seems to fit in well with the scheme here. He was very productive in his rookie year, but it may be a matter of what have you done for me lately. His inconsistency and ability to look like an all-pro one day, and a waterboy the next have slipped him in the cellar of the depth chart. Perhaps he should petition Henry to get #20 back.
Patrick Ramsey - okay, I know he's shown improvement as of late. Still, his early performance and general inconsistency has placed him in this category. Lets just hope Jay stays healthy (c'mon O-line!)
Too Early To Tell:
DJ Williams - the guy is a player! I'm not doubting his talent, his level of play or anything else. Its just that he's been up and down which is to be expected of someone adapting to a new position. Only time will tell (I think he'll have a breakout year but you have to admit it could just as easily go the other way).
The flock of LBs competing for starting SAM - who knows anymore. How can anyone get any consistency with the rotating depth chart? I don't even know who the projected starter is here and neither does anyone else. It will have to come out in the preseason games, who brings their A game and who doesn't. Those left standing will hopefully be adequate (I personally like either Webster - if he can keep his helmet on - or DD).
Scheffler - just coming back from a foot fracture. With that and the weight issue lets hope that too many variables haven't been changed from last year and that he can regain his prior chemistry in the passing game with Cutler.
Rod Smith - boy, you just want him to come back strong and finish and go out on top don't you? I don't see it happening, and I think he'll move into coaching at some point or another. But I'm all for him trying to come back. Still, I wouldn't want to lose a Stokely, Hixon or even Marshall for that matter to keep Rod if he's realistically not going to play.
Marcus Thomas - the only questions here (for me anyway) are about how quickly he is able to adapt to the NFL game of DT and get back in football shape. I think eventually he'll make his mark but its just a matter of time.
The rest of the O-lineman not named Tom Nalen - lets face it, there are four big question marks here. Lepsis pretty much just in terms of how he comes back from injury (and can he stay healthy), Hamilton would be solid if he weren't dinged up right now. On the other side, is is Kuper or Holland? Kuper looked to be the deal until his 3 sack performance the other day that got him yanked. Finally on the end Pears hopefully will be okay in his natural position. If not, the pickings are slim as Meadows is just a place filler.
Daniel Graham - its hard with him to put him somewhere. You almost want to break him up and put his blocking in the Hot category and his receiving in the ? category. I think he'll definitely help the run game, and has been showing this in practice. The issue is his seperation speed and quickness. I think his effectiveness in the passing game will be directly related to the quality of receiving talent on the field with him that the defense has to pay attention to. If he can slip out under the radar he could be a big target (much like the pats used him).
Well, let me know if you agree, disagree, or think others should be on the list. Looking forward to your thoughts.....
Who's hot:
Jay Cutler - clearly having a great camp. Sure he has some off times, but overall it sounds like there is zip on his passes, he is making good reads, is working hard and making a lot of progress
Travis Henry - after he settled into things, I've not heard really any bad comments about him. He seems to be running with authority, getting more comfortable with his blockers, and bowling into people (just ask Lynch).
Javon Walker - set to have an All-Pro type year. He is going to to Pro Bowl this year and looks already to be in mid-season form.
Brandon Stokely - filling in nicely into his temporary #2 wide position. This is looking like a steal for Sundquist and Co.
Brian Clark - sounds like with the expanded opportunity for playing time due to injuries, he has really stepped up. When you have players like Bailey, Javon, Cutler and Rod talking about him, you know he must be doing something right. I can't really see how he would ever be more than a ST contributor, but its nice to know he has something there in case.
Tom Nalen - solid, reliable, veteran leadership on the line. Lets hope the question marks get filled around him.
Sam Adams - even though he's a renter, what a pickup if he stays healthy! Sounds like his play so far has been dominant. He's big, quick, explodes into blocking schemes and disrupts the backfield. Awesome! He's also filling some of the leadership gap from Al's departure (whom we all miss).
Jarvis Moss - I think aside from the little knee scare the other day, most reports are very positive from him. Reports of his burst and ability to contribute on pass situations sound completely on target, and it sounds like he is picking things up very well. It sounds like Bates has a good feeling about him.
Tim Crowder - another impressive rookie DE. Making his mark against the run, should develop into a consistent player for us. People are now comparing him to Courtney Brown without the injuries. Lets hope they're right!
Bly & Bailey (and the entire secondary) - Wow! Show me someone who's not salivating over the prospect of what our secondary could be with all this talent and I'll show you a Raider/Chiefs/Chargers fan. Bailey is Bailey (no surpise that he's on top of his game), but Bly sounds like everything we had hoped for. Even reports of his non-aggressive tackling seem so far to have been exaggerated. Abdullah sounds like the heir-apparent to Lynch. Crazy that we are crazy with talent here after not drafting a safety.
Who's Not:
Brandon Marshall - in the end, I feel bad for the guy. Lingering injuries really aren't anyone's fault. Still, there's only so many times a coach can tell a player he needs to get healthy and start practicing before he finds himself in the doghouse. He's got a TON of talent, but needs to be able to practice and show it off. For his sake it better be soon.
Alvin McKinley - talk about getting lost in the shuffle. He went from projected starter when we signed him to 3rd/4th team behind Kennedy, Adams, and Thomas. Now it looks like he's just fighting to keep a spot on the team.
Kenard Lang - I agree with others here on the board, its confusing that he is where he is on the depth chart. Its almost as if he was never really given a chance this time around. Regardless, he appears to be on his way out unless something dramatic happens in preseason or Shanahan and Co finally decide to quit their infatuation with Engelberger.
Mike Bell - Again, someone who seems like they have a ton of talent, who's game seems to fit in well with the scheme here. He was very productive in his rookie year, but it may be a matter of what have you done for me lately. His inconsistency and ability to look like an all-pro one day, and a waterboy the next have slipped him in the cellar of the depth chart. Perhaps he should petition Henry to get #20 back.
Patrick Ramsey - okay, I know he's shown improvement as of late. Still, his early performance and general inconsistency has placed him in this category. Lets just hope Jay stays healthy (c'mon O-line!)
Too Early To Tell:
DJ Williams - the guy is a player! I'm not doubting his talent, his level of play or anything else. Its just that he's been up and down which is to be expected of someone adapting to a new position. Only time will tell (I think he'll have a breakout year but you have to admit it could just as easily go the other way).
The flock of LBs competing for starting SAM - who knows anymore. How can anyone get any consistency with the rotating depth chart? I don't even know who the projected starter is here and neither does anyone else. It will have to come out in the preseason games, who brings their A game and who doesn't. Those left standing will hopefully be adequate (I personally like either Webster - if he can keep his helmet on - or DD).
Scheffler - just coming back from a foot fracture. With that and the weight issue lets hope that too many variables haven't been changed from last year and that he can regain his prior chemistry in the passing game with Cutler.
Rod Smith - boy, you just want him to come back strong and finish and go out on top don't you? I don't see it happening, and I think he'll move into coaching at some point or another. But I'm all for him trying to come back. Still, I wouldn't want to lose a Stokely, Hixon or even Marshall for that matter to keep Rod if he's realistically not going to play.
Marcus Thomas - the only questions here (for me anyway) are about how quickly he is able to adapt to the NFL game of DT and get back in football shape. I think eventually he'll make his mark but its just a matter of time.
The rest of the O-lineman not named Tom Nalen - lets face it, there are four big question marks here. Lepsis pretty much just in terms of how he comes back from injury (and can he stay healthy), Hamilton would be solid if he weren't dinged up right now. On the other side, is is Kuper or Holland? Kuper looked to be the deal until his 3 sack performance the other day that got him yanked. Finally on the end Pears hopefully will be okay in his natural position. If not, the pickings are slim as Meadows is just a place filler.
Daniel Graham - its hard with him to put him somewhere. You almost want to break him up and put his blocking in the Hot category and his receiving in the ? category. I think he'll definitely help the run game, and has been showing this in practice. The issue is his seperation speed and quickness. I think his effectiveness in the passing game will be directly related to the quality of receiving talent on the field with him that the defense has to pay attention to. If he can slip out under the radar he could be a big target (much like the pats used him).
Well, let me know if you agree, disagree, or think others should be on the list. Looking forward to your thoughts.....
I have know idea why people seem to think Marshall is a superstar that the team can't do without. What has he done to earn that kind of status? I want Marshall to get healthy and return because I think he has a lot of potential, but I think we will be just fine with Stokley. We might be just fine, if not better, with Hixon in there if he keeps going the way he's going. The way people keep hyping Marshall is as bad as all the Mike Bell lovers who thought he even stood a chance at being the starting RB after Henry was signed. Even before Henry was signed, I was desperately hoping the Broncos would draft Marshawn Lynch because I didn't want to put my faith in an undrafted RB. Once Henry was signed, I was fine with whatever the team decided to do in the first round of the draft. Marshall isn't in the same boat as Mike Bell but he doesn't deserve all the hype he's getting by many on these boards. Marshall does stand a chance to be a starter but only if he can get healthy, stay healthy, and then go out and prove it on the field. Some people seem to think that he will be handed the starting job once he's healthy, but I think Stokley is going to push hard for it and Hixon just might surprise some people. In the end, I think the starting job will be between Stokley and Marshall and I'm fine with either one.
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