Today’s camp was one of the best ones we’ve had so far. The players
were allowed to go in minimal padding, but were asked to practice full
speed in exchange for the reprieve. The team responded with some really
positive effort on both sides of the ball and there were a lot of
exciting plays.
The depth on the first and second teams of both units is pretty solid
except for receiver. The result is some exciting, evenly matched
situations you get to watch. Generally the defense had the upper hand,
but it usually does during camp. There weren’t too many turnovers, but
there were a few. The defense is pretty impressive on third down
regardless of which team they are facing. They are also excellent at
defending the perimeter against the bootleg and screens. The draw still
gives them some trouble, though. We are also regularly running our own
variation of the 46 Bear defense on obvious running downs.
I asked Shanahan about Scheffler’s timetable and his target game is
Dallas. Lepsis and Hamilton both will be out for the Niners game. No
word on Marshall or Moss, though Moss was walking around with his knee
bandaged up. They’re going slow with him. Hamzah Abdullah had a tweaked
hamstring and was out today. I think part of the pad-less practices
have been because players are dropping with nagging injuries every day
and it was time to let them come back.
Shanahan also said that his going to Dallas is motivated by a chance to
play against some different players and to face the 3-4 defense. He
says he likes to play teams that run that defense in the preseason so
that his offense can practice against it. He also mentioned that
getting go against Wade Phillips was a positive. He didn’t say this,
but I suspect it’s a way of preparing the players for facing San Diego.
The team is really starting to come together emotionally. The defense
was especially positive and they were joking and singing songs whenever
someone on their team made a play. Everyone was in really positive
spirits, but the Defense especially showed the type of warm camaraderie
that you like to see.
I want to take a moment and talk about Javon Walker. He’s been having a
lot of fun in camp. He jokes with guys and usually has a smile on his
face. Today at the start of practice the receivers were working on
their lineup. Brian Clark was playing the DB during the instruction and
Javon kept dancing around in front of him. Then he’d poke Clark and say
“C’mon, man! Do it” and he’d dance some more. He did it for like five
minutes. It was so funny to watch. When asked about this during his
press conference, Shanahan just said “you know, the more you can do…”
and that got a pretty good laugh. I mention this in the hopes that
those who are concerned that Javon is moping around all melancholy need
not worry. I think he’s going to be fine.
Now let’s take a look at some of the different areas of the team.
Quarterbacks – All the quarterbacks played pretty well
today. You can see them settling into the system and learning who their
guys are and what they can do. I am especially impressed by the
footwork and pocket presence that they have learned and improved on
since the beginning of camp.
Jay Cutler: Jay Cutler had a pass that was picked off when he
forced the throw to a covered Alexander and Cameron Vaughn got it.
Other than that his reads were very good he’s doing a nice job of
checking down and looking guys off. There are still some throws he
tries to force. Sometimes he makes them and other times he really
shouldn’t try. Most of the time he just throws underneath. Jay has
really improved on third down. He’s also scrambling to buy time or take
off when nothing’s open much more than even a week ago. He still needs
to watch deflections at the line.
Patrick Ramsey: Ramsey has grown the most of any of the
quarterbacks. He’s understanding where his guys are without looking and
his accuracy is much better. His balls still seem to get away from him
a bit, but overall I’m the most impressed with his growth over any
other player, really.
Defensive Line - The line didn’t quite have the inside
push that it had last time, but overall the pressure up the middle is
still very good. The edge rush is ok, but not great. I think this is an
area that will improve when Moss gets back. Against the run they are
very stout. Screen plays are destroyed.
Amon Gordon: He’s really played well this last week. He’s
getting up field and shooting the gaps and just generally playing very
well. He also does a good job of getting his hands up. He blew up a
screen play that ended up getting him an interception. He was praised
quite a bit by the coaches today.
Elvis Dumervil: Elvis let Hackney go on a scramble at the goal
line and Bates was pretty upset about it. He threw his hat down and
pulled Dumervil from the field and I didn’t see him go back out for
awhile.
Tim Crowder: I like his motor and his hands. He’s pretty
string and does a good job of pushing his guys off their block. He
still isn’t really explosive, but he is very consistent.
Linebacker – The linebackers played pretty well today.
The runs to outside all were little to no gain or for losses. DJ is
starting lead more on the field. He yells at the defense even when he’s
not playing in the unit on the field and seems genuinely interested in
seeing all the defenders play well. Cameron Vaughn had a good practice
intercepting Cutler and breaking up some plays in the backfield. DD
Lewis also looked good. Ian Gold was hurt after running down Andre Hall
and getting hit in the groin, but he returned to practice.
Wide Receivers – The wideouts were getting open today and
Cutler and Ramsey had some more opportunities. In fact the offense
overall looked much better. I noticed…
Brian Clark: He’s starting to pull away from the other
receivers. His hands are betting better and his quickness and speed is
impressive – especially for someone his size. He made a couple of moves
in some of the later situation drills that had Shanahan praising him
aloud.
Domenik Hixon: Hixon also had a good day of practice. His speed
is incredible and he’s making some nice catches. The best was on a long
bomb from Cutler after Cutler was flushed from the pocket. It went for
a touchdown. Foxworth did a great job hustling down field to try and
make the tackle. Hixon is the fastest guy on the team, so seeing
Foxworth sprint after him was impressive.
David Terrell: He is probably going to be cut soon. He had two drops in a row today and is barely noticed.
Quincy Morgan: Morgan is a player that is also very
inconsistent. His fundamentals are pretty bad and he is inconsistent.
As long as he can try and be a real game-breaker as the return man on
special teams, I think he still will make the team.
Tony Scheffler: I realize he’s a tight end, but I’ll mention him
here. He looked better today. He was a bit faster and quicker. He’s
still thinking when he’s out there and needs to settle in a bit, but
they gave him some reps on the first and second team offense, which is
different from yesterday where he worked out on the third team.
Running Backs – They looked good today. They were playing
with Mike Bell and Andre Hall in the backfield a lot today in every
package. Mike Bell wasn’t that bad of a full back either, though he’s a
better running back. Just another one of Shanahan’s wrinkles.
Overall the practice today was one of the best in a very long time.
People seemed motivated and they were really enjoying themselves. Guys
were joking and having fun, but not at the expense of practicing hard
or losing focus. It was a positive day and I think one that shows the
team is starting to come together emotionally a little bit.
