Impressions from 1st 5 days of Camp - Open thread

[KB_fan]

So, we've had 5 straight days of practice including 3 padded practices in a row.  Of course it's still early, but there's at least been enough "content" to be able to form some early impressions.

I thought it would be fun to compare notes and see what Huddlers are thinking / feeling about the team overall, and about individual players.  So let's make this an open thread. 

Some questions for discussion:

1.  Who has most impressed / excited you?  (I should probably add the obligatory: "in addition to CMC, that is!"  I think we can probably ALL agree (a Huddle rarity) that he has looked pretty exciting...) [Perhaps break down into an offensive & defensive player.]

2.  Who has most disappointed you / worried you so far?  [Perhaps break down into an offensive & defensive player.]

3.  Biggest surprise of camp so far (good or bad)...?

4.  What position group most concerns you NOW?  Has there been any change in your thinking between now and before Camp started?

5.  Any position battles that you think are already over?

6.  Area of greatest concern / need for improvement based on what's been reported so far?

7.  Most memorable moment of Camp so far - especially good if you've got a photo or GIF....

 

 

 

[Hogmolliesmaht]

Well, besides CMC, it would seem that Russell Shepard has been the most impressive offensive player, just based on reading practice tweets and watching the videos.

I can't say that anything or anybody really stands out as a disappointment, except for maybe the Corn Elder injury.

The biggest surprise has to be Amini Silatolu having some good reps at LT.

All the position battles seem to be for back up spots, except for the kickers.

Area of concern? Curtis Samuel's hamstring. He needs reps.

I don't have a GIF but he most memorable moments for me are the two videos of the Oklahoma drill. Olsen vs Peppers and then Norwell vs CJ. Greg gets the last laugh and it's hilarious.

[KB_fan]

 

1.  In addition to CMC, I'm most excited about Daryl Worley..  He seems to be making big plays every day, looks like a different player out there to me. 

I'm *cautiously optimistic* regarding Funchess.  There was one play in particular where he did a GREAT job in shielding the ball with his body and making a tough catch in tight coverage. That got my attention.  Also he seems to be getting better separation from what I'm reading.  But he's been a "training camp star" before, so I'm not rushing to proclaim him ready to be a star... but I'm encouraged based on week 1.

Let me also add a position group I'm quite encouraged about:  safety.  In particular, Marlowe & Colin Jones have been making plays.  I think we could have a solid 4 guys for safety.  I like the leadership Adams brings.  Three of these guys (all but Coleman, I believe) have come down with INTs this week.  A good start...

[exactlyzack]

Besides the obvious CMC excitement.. Shepard has really impressed me. His route running and seperation has got me a bit excited. If everything pans out the way I imagine it too, this offense is going to be deadly. Defense wise, Cole Luke has stepped up and is a shocker imo. The way Bradberry and Worley have grown and the leadership of Adams and Coleman, I feel like our secondary will be much improved this season. Regardless, Im super pumped for the first preseason game. Can't get here soon enough.

[KB_fan]

2.  Biggest disappointment / worry:   I'm a bit worried about Daryl Williams.  Today especially, a lot of guys were beating him, and he's not a rookie...  Haven't heard much about Moton yet.  RT is definitely something I'll be watching with some concern.

Curtis Samuel missing reps is a big bummer for sure...

3.  Biggest surprise:  I'm quite surprised and VERY relieved the degree to which Cam is throwing.  Yes he's on a pitch count, but he's gotten real reps and has thrown deep.  I thought we'd be more cautious with him.

[L-TownCat]

I want to wait another week until the players are sick of each other, it's hot and the rookies see what big league angry looks like.

 

Thats when the cream starts to separate.

 

The obvious stuff has been mentioned.  I would love to see a prospect take over like Duke/Garrett/Luke/Boulware

[Hogmolliesmaht]

14 minutes ago, KB_fan said:

 

1.  In addition to CMC, I'm most excited about Daryl Worley..  He seems to be making big plays every day, looks like a different player out there to me. 

I'm *cautiously optimistic* regarding Funchess.  There was one play in particular where he did a GREAT job in shielding the ball with his body and making a tough catch in tight coverage. That got my attention.  Also he seems to be getting better separation from what I'm reading.  But he's been a "training camp" star before, so I'm not rushing to proclaim him ready to be a star... but I'm encouraged based on week 1.

Let me also add a position group I'm quite encouraged about:  safety.  In particular, Marlowe & Colin Jones have been making plays.  I think we could have a solid 4 guys for safety.  I like the leadership Adams brings.  Three of these guys (all but Coleman, I believe) have come down with INTs this week.  A good start...

Yeah, I would love to see some good depth emerge in that safety group.

[KB_fan]

4.  My biggest concern remains the O-line.  I'm cautiously optimistic re: Matt Kalil, though his conditioning & stamina needs to improve.  Also, I'm somewhat relieved that Amini's getting reps at LT.  He's not great, but he's more experienced than Moton, and at least gives us another potential option.  I was NOT cool with having a rookie who has little LT experience as our primary backup at LT, so if Amini can be part of the solution, that's helpful.

But today our Oline was jelly-like.  Tons of guys were getting through and there would have been MULTIPLE sacks.  Star, KK, CJ, Shaq and others were all getting through to our backfield with ease much of the day.  Granted both Kalils were out, so I'll take this with a grain of salt.  But overall Oline is still our greatest weakness in my opinion.

I'm much LESS concerned about safety depth, as I wrote above.

I'm also a bit less concerned re: corner depth.  To see guys like Cole Luke step up when both Captain & Elder were out was a very good thing.  But we really do need Captain healthy... so, Corner is still an area I'm keeping a close eye on.

 

[KB_fan]

5.  Position Battles: 

Based on week 1, these position battles may be over unofficially:

Gano looks to have a very big edge on Butker. 

Fozzy's been playing with the 1s on offense & ST.  Still looks to have the edge over CAP.  But CAP is showing up and making some plays.  Marty is the unknown factor here.  If it were DG & Ron I'd say Fozzy was a shoe-in, but maybe Hurney has other ideas...?

LBs:  Mayo, Cash & Norris (#asexpected) seem to have the clear lead for LBs 4,5, & 6.

Safety:  Marlowe has been impressive.  I'd say he & Colin Jones have the 2 backup spots almost locked up.  McCray & Southward don't seem to have done much that's positive this past week...

WR: Still way too close to call.  One day it seems like it will be Duke, another day Byrd, another day Garrett shows up... , today Bersin flashed.   So much will depend on Special Teams.  Shepard has looked awesome, but I considered him a lock already prior to Camp.

[KB_fan]

34 minutes ago, KB_fan said:

6.  Area of greatest concern / need for improvement based on what's been reported so far?

I've mentioned O-line above. 

I'm also just a bit worried about DA's high number of interceptions.  Cam at least has the excuse of coming off shoulder surgery, but DA seems to have lost some of his accuracy / arm strength.   It may  not be a big deal, but the number of interceptions seems higher than I remember.  (It may be that our secondary is greatly improved however.)

[Jeremy Igo]

I do a great Brenton Bersin. Basically I just catch everything thrown to me and draw hatred because of it. 

[Hogmolliesmaht]

I didn't even think about Cam. I guess it should  surprise me that he is throwing so well, but it really doesn't. Honestly, I'm more impressed by the time and effort he has obviously put in this off season to improve his game. This is what I've been waiting on. He needed to become a fanatic about it like Tom Brady and Drew Brees if he wanted to take the next step, and it appears that he's done that. If the O-line is slightly above average, he will tear it up this year.

[KB_fan]

37 minutes ago, KB_fan said:

7.  Most memorable moment of Camp so far - especially good if you've got a photo or GIF....

I think two of the most memorable plays were today when CMC "toasted" Luke...

I mean, this is LUUUUKE!

 

And Funchess making a great catch, boxing out Worley.  It's JUST what we've needed to see from him.  I hope he keeps it up...

 

[juliosantos]

other then run cmc shepard and austin duke been making noise im so impressed with duke i really think he can contribute in the slot not just make this roster and russell shepard is a break out player i noticed him last year when he was on the bucs and i think we got a steal