Well I am back from my short lived vacation, and had a very good time.As previously mentioned, I had the privelage of meeting Tbirdjet, 227 and 1028. All very cool guys and it was a real pleasure. Kudos again to Tbird for the barbecue and such. Mangini has really toned down camp in the past 2 days. It's still rougher than any Herm camp, but he's giving alot more water breaks and things arent nearly as intense. In terms of actual technical details, I'll start w/ my obvious forte' and the O-line: The run blocking and pass blocking of the 1st unit are head and shoulders better than a year ago. At this stage, D brick might actually be a better run blocker than pass blocker. He has really impressed me w/ his intial release/pop in the running game. His pass protection is good..but he occassionaly has lapses(like all young LT's do). Mangold is making alot of progress and everyday looks better and better. As we knew when we drafted him, he is very quick off the snap and very aggressive. When he adds alil more strength and improves his technique, he could be a pro bowler. Clement has overtaken AJ at RT, and has actually been pretty impressive. AJ is mightily inconsistent and varies between being very good, and very mediocre. he looks very tedious and needs to relax. As for the young linemen, the guy who continues to stand out is Issac Snell. As I mentioned in another thread, he started for Kendall last night at LG and the pass protection was excellent. I really believe he could beat out Moore if given the chance and I believe he has pro bowl(Yes pro bowl) ability w/ his great size and athleticism. Here are some other notes for other positional units... - Aside from Vilma, Miller and Rhodes are the best players on our D. They have a real presence about them, make alot of plays, and have blazing speed. - Ellis seems to have gotten back his quickness around the corner in the pass rush. Look for a big year - Brad Smith has made alot of big plays in camp, and the talk about his struggling to get off the line is bogus. - The Tight end position has been very quiet thus far - Mike Nugent had an amazing couple of days. Last night he did about 15 kick offs, and literally every one of them went into or through the end zone. And this morning he hit a 50+ yard field goal in a 2 minute drill. - Ramsey seems to get better everyday and at this stage he might be the best decision maker of the 4 Qb's. he still overthrows guys now and again, but he's coming along nicely Well that's pretty much all i can think of at this point. I'm already trying to figure out a way to catch acuple more practices within the next 2 weeks. If that is the case I'll do my best to provide ya'll w/ the juice.
Thanks for the report. I think the reviews of tgg.com are much better than the stuff I read in the newspapers. Keep up the good work.
Ah, so it has been Clement at RT. That is what I have been preaching, but had heard that AJ was starting to get the 1st team reps again. I like Clement's size and experience, plus AJ is a good backup swing tackle. You have me excited about Snell, going to keep an eye on him. I mentioned it in another thread but did you get a chance to see Katnik playing any guard? I heard him and Snell were rotating into Kendalls spot. If so, what did you think? He is another player who has piqued my interest, as I believe our guard play can definitely be improved...
Kurt, nice job, bud! It was a pleasure to have you and the other boys over. Good to hear Nugent has gotten more distance.... we didn't see that sort of range on Tuesday. maybe his leg is a bit stronger this year after all. I don't remember any reports saying Brad Smith was slow off the line.... and we know that it's bullshit after seeing him in those bump and run drills... in fact, he may be more explosive off the line that any other WR we have! So, Clement is now starting over Jones? That isn't good news.... we can agree to disagree, but I think Clement is an oversized, lazy, slow, fat .... let me be nice... third team O lineman. But, I'm also very happy to hear Mangini has toned it down a notch. I sort of expected, or at least hoped for that.... I was hoping he'd set the tone, and back off a notch. His camp was just too tough to run like that for weeks on end. Did you ever order that pizza? LOL! If so, was it a good recommendation or not? If you make it down here again, let me know.
This seems to be conflicting with everything else I've read. I'm surprised no one else has commented on it. Based on other reports and articles it sounds like Ramsey isn't even beating out Bollinger. Great report once again, and thanks.
Just wanted to send a general thanks to all of the guys that drop the reports. They are greatly appreciated.
kurt who was snagging punts at the end of the session on the main field he was the last one out there
It would be defeating the purpose to crack the whip in this heat. His job is to make them the best they can be, not work them like it's a prison camp. So, yes, I was with you but I knew he would back off. Not only would he hurt them going forward because they'd be tired, it would be almost criminal. So far, Mangini is very likeable from a fans perspective. He's tough, he says the right things, he does the right things. So far........
Terrific report Kurt, and it was nice meeting you and 1028 in person. I'm kinda glad Mangini toned down the camp a bit because the camp we saw on Tuesday was over the top. Isn't it fun to watch Nugent and Graham? These two are ball-kicking machines! I may go back again next week. This sh*t becomes addictive. Talk to you soon...
I was thinking the same thing. The impression I got from other writers has been that Ramsey struggled mightily throughout camp. I'm glad that not everyone thinks he's doing so poorly.
Kurt thanks for the feedback. A couple of surprising things that you mentioned, that I would like to throw out there...shit, actually just 1...Ramsey as being the best decision maker?..That totally contradicts what T-bird hasbeen saying....about him not being involved in that many drills, plus all the reports that Chad has pulled away from the pack. ON abrigheter note, it's good to hear that we are getting some depth in our O-line. I'm still concerned about Mangold's strength, particulalry in the pass protection area....Considering that we don't have a true dominant DT, when he faces more dominant players at that position, how do yuo think he will fair? Oh and do you think Nugent's balls will continue to carry as the weather drops?..I'm kinda down on him!
The CS seems to like Katnik alot. He's pretty quick off the snap and has good technique. However, i wasn't crazy about him at guard, as he got bullrushed on more than one occassion. It appears that he doesnt have the strength and leverage to handle the bull rushers at that position. At center he is a different story considering he doesnt face head on defenders quite as often. He could be a good back-up for us long term if teague doesnt work out. As for Ramsey, perhaps I worded what i meant incorrectly. The first couple practies I saw of him, he didn't make great decisions. But upon watching him alittle more closely in the past 2 days, he did a very good job of going through his progressions and getting the ball out to a safe option 9 times out of 10. He still overthrows alot of WR's, but most of the time(the last 2 days at least), the throws he makes are the correct decisions. When relaxed, Chad is still the best decision maker we have. What Ramsey is the best at, is going through his progressions w/o panicking. I believe all 4 Qb's have made alot of progress, but the race appears to be coming down to Pennington vs. Ramsey. Clemens continues to impress but he has a habit of panicking when the pass protection gives way. He ends up throwing the ball up for grabs and that can lead to alot of turnovers. This is a common problem among young QB's so I dont believe it is anything to be concerned w/. Whether he continues to get a look at the starting job will depend on if the CS wants to go w/ a guy who may throw a few more ints, but will also create a few more plays, or go w/ a guy who can minimize mistakes and manage the offense.
I didnt say much to him. He was signing my jersey and asked him how camp was going. He gave the pedestrian answer of "Pretty good". Somebody else asked him about his health and his exact words are "I'm good".
