TC update

Hey everybody,(this is KurtTheJetsFan, I thought I had signed in on my own name..but apparently not)

Ive been away at TC for about 3 days now..and have now seen 4 full practices. (2 w/ Thunderbirdjet who is kind enough to allow me to use his comp to post this)

I'm not gonna go into longwinded details but I'll give my full impressions thus far.


- The defense appears to be much more hybrid this year than last. Their appears to be alot more 4-3 being implemented and the personell appears to enjoy it. D rob has casually shot into the backfield after 1 step in all the scrimmaging from the formation.

- Speaking of D Rob, he's having a very good camp and looks alot more powerful than in year's past.

- Revis holding out is opening a major door for Justin Miller. He has started everyday at one of the CB spots, covering Coles everyday, and he has looked very good.

- Michael Haynes is def. earning a roster spot. He has been a pass rush terror all week long and has made linemen look silly.

- Sean Ellis has been very quiet in scrimmages.

- Pouha is back, and he has been very good in the run stuffing role.

- Chansi Stuckey is gonna be a big time contributor for this team. There already appear to be plays specifically designed for him. He's vry quick, fast and has a keen ability to gain seperation.

- My biggest concern this offseason was D'brick's development. He had a rough monday in drills, but since has looked extremely impressive. He has dominated BT, Bowens, Coleman and Hobson. He has finally learned to be more aggressive w/ his long arms and he has looked damn good. Tbird agreed w/ me on this one.

- Clemens has been very up and down all camp long. I believe he has the tools and the head to be a franchise QB, but he goes through phases in which he holds the ball too long and is afraid to make mistakes(very common in young QB's). It'll be interesting to see how he performs in the preseason. The ability is def. there.

- Brad Smith has been very good at the QB spot. He's very calm in the pocket, quick to the outside, accurate w/ his passes and makes good decisions. He will see time at QB this year.

- Clement has struggled alittle but in pass protection, which could open the door for Bender, who struggles w/ footwork but has looked quite good at run blocking.

- Coles and Cotchery have run good routes but have been quiet thus far. Likely due to some pretty good coverage by our Db's

- Main playmaker thus far for our O has been Leon Washington. He as quick and shifty as always in running plays, and has become a real threat out of the backfield. Look for another big year

- Thomas Jones is as fast and powerful as advertised. He's seen limited reps but has generally looked good.



I know these are all random thoughts, and im trying to recall more tidbits. I'll leave it at this for now. Overall the team looks faster and tougher than last year. Lets hope it shows up by week 1 against New England

 

-Bender has the ability to start, but his footwork in pass protection has been very inconsistent. and I think that scares the CS. He has a bad habit of playing w/ his legs to close together causing happy feet. The coaches have pointed this out to him several times, he corrects it, but it still comes back in spells. W/ that said, he has also been singled out by the CS several times for his run blocking. He does a great job of creating a seal for ball carriers.We'll see if he gets the opportunity.

-I really like Smith's progress at QB. At yesterday's night practice he was our 2nd best QB behind Chad, who obviously has a few year's up in terms of deciphering a NFL defense. Again, it'll be interesting to see what he does in the preseason.

- LB's in trouble: Wadsworth, Kassell and Schlegel. And we'll see what happens when Chatham gets out on the field. I've tried to give schlegel the benefit of the doubt, but he is just invisible out of the practice field in drills and in scrimmages.

 

The above posts were by Kurt, on my computer.... we had a mini-Brat fest at the TBird nest after practice. Good chow, good beer (Thanks Kurt!) and good cigars (thanks again Kurt!) Kurt has gone off on a NY pizza hunt, and my computer is my own again. I just read 227's great report, but I will add my own somewhat abreviated commentary here.

First off..... today I saw more 4-3 defense than I saw thru all of TC , preseason and regular season COMBINED last year. We just might have that hyrdid D we were told about last year, but never saw. With help from Kurt, it was BT and Ellis at DE, and either Coleman or Kimo at slant nose, DRob at the 3T defensive tackle spot. Why Pouha got no time at slant nose in the 4-3 is a head scratcher. He's perfect for it, and he continues to look very good at NT in the 3-4, which is a similar two gap responsability.

In the 4-3, DRob was creating havoc for the offense. He was beating Moore and Clement like a drum. M Haynes is the best pass rushing DE on the team. PERIOD.... well at least in the 4-3. How we ever got a guy with as much talent as he has for nothing.... go figure. This guy is a lock to make the team. You will hear his name a lot this year on telivised games.... he's good... better than good, he has Freeney-like speed in both the pass rush and in persuit.

We were cursed today... evry time we moved, the action we wanted to see went to the other field. But, with my binoculars, I saw TJ some.... he is a VERY good pass catching RB. I think we lack a solid power runner, but TJ and Leon are explosive, which could help soften the inside rush D for opponents.

Banks and Ware have both looked good, I think Banks has the inside track at RB3, but Hollings is a big RB... and in limited time as he learns the plays should not be discounted. He moves well for a big RB.

I did look for Hicks some today, but frankly, couldn't even find him. Why are we picking up DL's from KC anyway? They have one of the worst inside DL's in the NFL, and they dumped Hicks. I'd much rather see Pouha in at slant nose in the 4-3. I guess that's all I have to add to what Kurt and 227 had to say....

 

Well, Kurt has no computer access till he gets home Friday night.... so it will be a while before he can reply. When I see him on Friday, I;ll try to remember to askk him, but he does think it's inexperience, and the fear of making mistakes that is the problem with Clemens. I tend to agree.... when he relaxes, he plays well.... when he gets happy feet, he holds the ball too long and makes bad decisions.

Brad Smith on the other hand.... is like cold hardened steel. He always looks relaxed and in control. no panic. He has really impressed me and Kurt a lot... I mean a LOT.

Haynes... the guy was lined up against Brick. He blew by him so often and so fast it was hard to tell what sort of move he put on Brick. Then, when the QB rolled away from the pressure, his persuit speed was freakin unreal. I'm not calling him Freeney just yet, but yeah, he has that sort of speed, perhaps a tiny bit slower... but not much. He was lined up at RDE, and nearly had several sacks on the opposite sideline in persuit. He and Stuckey are the two single players I point to that will by far and away exceed original expectations. Haynes was a first round pick .... might be he was just slow to develop. I'm tellin ya.... he's been a nightmare for the offense so far.

Banks is getting most of the second team snaps..... but Hollings is the only "big" back we have. (aside from the FB corps) Jones is no bruiser, but he can run inside some. Ware has looked good, but I would say that both Banks and Ware are more like Jones... good shifty RB's, but none of them look like GL RB's either. Hollings looks big, but it's early to judge him. But, if there is a "big" RB, it's Hollings.

Freakin Kendall.... split first team snaps today. I just want him gone. He goes out of his way to stand away from his team mates.... hey Pete, you moron, it isn;t your team mates that have supposedley pissed you off.... jerk.