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| Articles about Training Camp |
| Bills Training Camp ends without Peters, Edwards | | 2008-08-20 15:29:07 | | Peters misses all 26 days of Bills camp (Photo Source)
2008 Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher College came to a close today, and the Bills were without perhaps their two most valuable offensive players. Jason Peters failed to report for the final day of camp - it's still unclear if (not when) Peters plans to report at all - and quarterback Trent Edwards, nursing a deep thigh bruise, sat out Wednesday's morning practice finale.
Peters missed all 26 days of Bills camp - accumulating nearly $400,000 in fines in the process - and all indications are that his holdout will continue as the Bills return to their headquarters in Orchard Park tomorrow. The Bills still have, and are expected to exercise, their right to fine Peters up to $15,000 per day during his unexcused absence. While some Bills players, including OG Derrick Dockery, are hopeful that Peters will report soon, it's pretty safe to say that the fan base is not.
Edwards, who injured his knee du... | | By: Buffalo Rumblings | | |
| | 2008 Bills Training Camp: Days 23/24 Breakdown | | 2008-08-19 07:48:33 | | Evans extension could be completed soon (Photo Source)
After over three weeks of training camp practices, the Buffalo Bills are just two sessions shy of wrapping up 2008 Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher College. Unbelievable, right? With camp closing after Wednesday's practice concludes, several story lines are becoming prevalent again; and, of course, the Bills continue to make stories on the practice field as well. Here's what we should be talking about as training camp comes to a close...
Peters Watch: Decision Time?In case you took a holiday to Mars in March and are only just now returning to this glorious planet, Bills LT Jason Peters hasn't reported to Buffalo since taking a physical in early January. Holding out for more money, the break of training camp seems a logical place to get a further reading on Peters' intentions for the 2008 season. Will he report with camp over, or will he continue his holdout? If he continues to stay away, i... | | By: Buffalo Rumblings | | |
| | Avalanche Training Camp Schedule | | 2008-08-19 06:54:41 | | Avalanche Training Camp Schedule
The 14th team in the Western Conference has released its training camp schedule. I will now enviously stare at you Denver residents who actually have the opportunity to attend. Jerks.... | | By: Mile High Hockey | | |
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| Training camp notebook, 08.16 | | 2008-08-17 07:00:08 | | The Giants held their final practice in Albany Saturday. Here, from Mike Garafolo, is your practice report.
Here are some other stories making the rounds as the Giants break camp.
The Giants are losing patience with third-round draft pick Mario Manningham, who has missed considerable practice time with a quad injury. "We just don't see anything," Coach Tom Coughlin said of Manningham, who has not practiced since July 28 with a strained quad and missed time in the spring with a hip flexor. "He can't practice, so you go on everything you understood about him when you drafted him. He's in every meeting, he does all that, but he doesn't get to rep it. For a young guy, they need to do that."
Michael Jennings has not lost any of his flamboyance.
Kevin Boss "excited for the opportunity" to replace Jeremy Shockey.
Giants get new inspirational T-shirts.
... | | By: Big Blue View | | |
| | Training camp notebook, 08.15 | | 2008-08-16 08:00:09 | | A few notes from Giants training camp, where it suddenly seems a bunch of stuff is going on.
Lawrence Tynes will miss Monday's game against Cleveland, and Josh Huston has been signed. Now, don't go and get all fired up about this. I know Huston almost beat Tynes for the kicking job last season, but this job now belongs to Tynes. Huston will kick Monday, then likely be sent packing as soon as Tynes is healthy.
Michael Strahan visited camp Friday. That makes more time spent in Albany this year as a spectator than he spent in town last seasonas a player.
Young receivers drawing the wrath of coach Tom Coughlin.
Friday evening practice report -- or, Kenny Phillips is still awesome.
... | | By: Big Blue View | | |
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| Denver Broncos Training Camp Quotes -- 8/14 AM - Shanahan, Brandon Marshall and D.J. Williams | | 2008-08-14 13:09:35 | |
HEAD COACH MIKE SHANAHAN
On the morning practice -- "I felt we had a great practice today, an extension of what we had yesterday. We got a chance to evaluate a lot of our people. We got a chance to evaluate them under different conditions, (and) we are very pleased." On practice being more intense than Wednesday's sessions -- "Usually, the second day is always that way. It was the same way last year. I've probably practiced with a different team seven or eight times since I've been in the National Football League, and it never changes. That second day is usually a bit more competitive and we had some great work." On Cowboys LB Zach Thomas -- "Zach is a great football player. I think we all know Zach Thomas. He practices at a certain level, and that's why he plays at a certain level every time he hits that football field. He's an experienced pro, a guy I have always admired and he had a good practice today." On WR Brandon's Marshall's messages on the back of his shoulder pads -- "I thi... | | By: Mile High Report | | |
| | Denver Broncos Training Camp Quotes -- 8/13 AM - Shanahan and Cutler | | 2008-08-13 13:30:31 | |
BRONCOS HEAD COACH MIKE SHANAHAN
On the morning practice with the Cowboys -- "I thought we got some great work in today. I thought both sides were very professional in their approach. We have a little different schemes on both sides of the ball, and it was good work for Dallas and obviously the Broncos. We have a practice this afternoon, and I'm looking forward to that. "They have a different type of offense and a different type of defense. We get a chance to work against a 3-4 look, and they get a chance to take a look at a four-man front. I thought it was good for both teams. It was a very healthy practice and there was some good, fresh hitting. You go against somebody where you don't know their tendencies, so everybody plays a little bit more honest and it's a good evaluation process for us." On what he is looking for in terms of improvement -- "What you want to do-when you're taking a look at your OTAs, when you're taking a look at your summer camp-you want to find your best 53 g... | | By: Mile High Report | | |
| | 2008 Bills Training Camp: Day Eighteen Breakdown | | 2008-08-12 20:23:17 | | Whitner returns to practice, may play Thursday (Photo Source)
The Buffalo Bills held their final public practice prior to Thursday's pre-season matchup with Pittsburgh this afternoon, and the big news of the day was the fact that right guard Brad Butler was getting reps at right tackle. This is not a permanent move; it is merely a precaution, as the Bills will very likely face Pittsburgh with three healthy tackles on the roster. Butler practiced with the third team on the right side, and if things go well Thursday, he likely won't see much - if any - time at right tackle.
Strong safety Donte Whitner returned to practice today; his ankle is healthy and he participated in all individual and team activities. It's still unclear as to whether he'll play Thursday night, but it looks promising that he'll at least suit up. CB Terrence McGee also returned to practice Thursday.
Neither of Buffalo's two injured offensive tackles - Patrick Estes and Matt Murphy - are expec... | | By: Buffalo Rumblings | | |
| | Denver Broncos Training Camp Quotes -- 8/12 AM - Shanny and Stokley | | 2008-08-12 13:07:12 | |
BRONCOS HEAD COACH MIKE SHANAHAN
On the Cowboys' offense -- "It's always good to go against somebody new. They have a different style running attack than we do and a lot of similarities in the passing game. There is a little different philosophy, but it will be good work for our defense and our offense." On tackling against the Cowboys -- "We don't tackle obviously, but we'll form up a little bit. We have a pretty smart football team on both sides and a lot of competition. At the same time, they are trying to protect each other. It's more of an evaluation process, and cooler heads always prevail. We were able to do that last time, and I'm sure we'll be able to do it this time." On the format of practice -- "Basically, it is the same both sessions. We'll do different teamwork on one session than the other. One is more play action, the other one is more drop action. The morning practice will be a little longer than the afternoon practice." On the Broncos hitting players other than thei... | | By: Mile High Report | | |
| | 2008 Bills Training Camp: Day Seventeen Breakdown | | 2008-08-12 08:41:07 | | Loss of Murphy cripples depth at LT (Photo Source)
Quick Note: We're still making a valiant attempt to get everyone signed up for Buffalo Rumblings Fantasy Football. If you haven't checked out the announcement yet and it's relevant to you, please do so ASAP!
The Buffalo Bills returned to the practice field Monday night following their pre-season opening 17-14 loss in Washington, and before the night was out had been dealt a crippling blow to their depth at offensive tackle. With Jason Peters still MIA amidst a contract holdout, two more tackles - Matt Murphy and Patrick Estes - suffered injuries and left practice early. The Bills finished practice with just three healthy tackles: Langston Walker, Kirk Chambers and rookie Demetrius Bell. The seriousness of the two injuries are not yet known, but neither is likely to play in Thursday's pre-season matchup with the Steelers in Toronto.
The loss of Murphy - who performed admirably Saturday night - is especially conc... | | By: Buffalo Rumblings | | |
| | 2008 Bills Training Camp: Day Fourteen Breakdown | | 2008-08-08 07:12:27 | | DE Kelsay, starters not expected to play long (Photo Source)
The Buffalo Bills held their final public night practice prior to their first pre-season game of the season Thursday night, and with it came plenty of news about the team's opening game Saturday night.
Five players, including three prominent veterans, are not expected to dress for the Redskins game. Chief among them are SS Donte Whitner (ankle), LB Angelo Crowell (knee) and WR Josh Reed (back), none of whom will make the trip to Washington as they'll stay in Rochester to get treatment. Bryan Scott, Keith Ellison and Roscoe Parrish are expected to start, respectively, in their place.
Also not making the trip is backup DE Copeland Bryan, who is also dealing with a hamstring issue. TE Tim Massaquoi is doubtful with a groin injury.
Rookie wideout James Hardy, after returning to practice Wednesday, will make his NFL debut in Washington. He is not expected to start, but should see a considerable amount of p... | | By: Buffalo Rumblings | | |
| | Broncos Training Camp - 8/7 Quotes - Andre Hall and Nate Webster | | 2008-08-07 13:43:58 | |
BRONCOS RUNNING BACK ANDRE HALL
On his initial reaction to rookie RB Ryan Torain's injury -- "Ryan was doing great. He's is very emotional and when I saw him go down, it hurt. At first I thought it was just a bump and he'll come back soon, but unfortunately he has a pretty serious injury that will put him out for a while. So I'm kind of messed up about that."
On what Torain's injury means to Andre and the rest of the running back rotation -- "We have to double up our load now. Ryan was going to step up and handle the short-yardage and goal-line packages. We couldn't argue on him about that position. He is one of those guys that are tougher and have a bigger body. He's bigger than Selvin (Young), Anthony (Alridge), and me. It kind of messes up the rotation a little bit, but we just have to step up and just do it."
On the excitement of going into the first preseason game of the year -- "I'm just sick of hitting against our defense. I'm ready to beat up on somebody else. I want to see ho... | | By: Mile High Report | | |
| | Broncos Training Camp - 8/6 Quotes - Brandon Marshall Speaks(Shanny and Cutler, too!) | | 2008-08-06 15:18:46 | |
BRONCOS WIDE RECEIVER BRANDON MARSHALL
On his suspension -- "All I can do is come out here every day and try and be the best player I can be. My job right now is to be a leader in this team and get the guys out there better. I believe in our system, and I believe in what we are doing around here. I expect those other young guy receivers to go out there and have no drop off at the receiver position." On if he plans to appeal -- "All I can do is come out here and be the best I can be. I'm just out here to work hard." On his reaction to the ruling -- "I can't worry about the past. I am going to worry about the future and getting better on the field and in the community, and show my teammates that I am here every day, no matter what is going on. I'll come to play. "On what he has learned -- "It's just being more responsible. It's just being the best I can be in the community and on the field. That is all it is. It's not hard, it's not rocket science. Like I said, I have a job to do, and... | | By: Mile High Report | | |
| | 2008 Bills Training Camp: Day Twelve Breakdown | | 2008-08-06 07:05:05 | | Reed (right) continues to sit out with back issue (Photo Source)
The Buffalo Bills are four days away from opening their 2008 pre-season schedule with a visit to Washington, and the team continued its training camp preparations last night despite nearly being driven off the field due to inclement weather.
Rain delayed practice twice, but the Bills were able to complete their full session as they head into Wednesday's 1PM practice.
Not participating in Tuesday night's practice were SS Donte Whitner (ankle), WR Josh Reed (back) and DE Copeland Bryan (hamstring). Whitner and Reed are expected to be back on the field by the end of the week and should see some (albeit very little) playing time on Saturday. Rookie WR James Hardy (hamstring) and veteran CB Will James (groin) were scheduled to return to the practice field last night, but due to the slick weather conditions participated only in individual drills. They should be full go today.
Interesting DebateAn interesting ... | | By: Buffalo Rumblings | | |
| | Broncos Training Camp - 8/5 Quotes - Shanny and Robertson | | 2008-08-05 15:17:23 | |
BRONCOS' HEAD COACH MIKE SHANAHAN
On his most pleasant surprise of training camp thus far -- "We have a bunch of them. We have some free-agents looking good, some draft choices looking good. We are a young football team but we have been pretty impressive thus far but you have to put it together in gameday and game situations. I am looking forward to them playing some exhibition games and see how they do when the lights are on."
On WR Darrell Jackson's camp thus far -- "He has done a good job. We have some competition amongst the wide receiver positions. We have a pecking order right now but it can change very quickly. There are a lot of guys competing and it will probably come down to game situations and obviously the remainder of camp."
On CB Champ Bailey's hamstring -- "It is like all hamstrings, it will take a little bit of time to rest but Champ recovers pretty quickly. It wasn't a bad hamstring so that is good news."
On C Tom Nalen's knee -- "Anytime Tom sits out of pra... | | By: Mile High Report | | |
| | 2008 Bills Training Camp: Day Eleven Breakdown | | 2008-08-05 07:13:32 | | LB Crowell returns to practice (Photo Source)
After nine days of practices, the Buffalo Bills had Sunday off and returned to the practice field yesterday afternoon for their eleventh day of training camp. While OT Jason Peters continued his holdout, the Bills did get some good news in the form of veteran LB Angelo Crowell returning to the field of play. Crowell missed the majority of last week's practices with a left knee injury.
Joining Crowell on the field were newly signed LB Donnie Spragan as well as UDFA rookie WR C.J. Hawthorne, a Hawaii product that the Bills added yesterday. Hawthorne takes the roster spot of one Jason Peters, and was signed to reduce the number of reps that Buffalo's depleted receiving corps was taking.
Strong safety Donte Whitner missed practice with an ankle injury that required an MRI, but the injury is not considered serious. WR Josh Reed was also held out of practice Monday as the team looked to reduce his work load and rest his s... | | By: Buffalo Rumblings | | |
| | Broncos Training Camp - 8/4 AM Quotes | | 2008-08-04 13:53:28 | |
HEAD COACH MIKE SHANAHAN
On WR Brandon Marshall -- "If I made comments every time I heard a rumor, I'll be talking to you every day and have to answer every question you (the media) ask. Let's deal with reality. We'll let you guys know when we know something." On why LB Nate Webster is ahead of LB Niko Koutouvides on the depth chart -- "We have to start somewhere. Nate earned the chance to start just by what he's done here in these first eight days. It's very close. We are going to switch off in the middle linebacker position. By no means anyone has that job locked up. Most guys get a chance to work with the first unit. At the end of the preseason, we will come out with a winner. Either way, we have two good football players that will help us win." On if he likes releasing a depth chart -- "You have to put a depth chart out during the week of the first preseason game. It's mandatory, and we had to do it last night, but I think we all know there are a number of positions that are very ... | | By: Mile High Report | | |
| | Training Camp Injury Report: Anthony Cotrone to Injured Reserve | | 2008-08-03 23:20:21 | | Jacksonville Jaguars fullback Anthony Cotrone will be placed on the Injured Reserve list according to Michael Wright of the Florida Times-Union. Cotrone was injured in Friday's scrimmage that brings to an end a promising camp for the undrafted free agent from the University of Maine.
Wright On:
Jaguars fullback Anthony Cotrone will go on the injured reserve sometime Monday after tearing his left ACL on Friday in the club’s scrimmage
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The club anticipates filling Cotrone’s roster spot with tight end Isaac Smolko, who spent eight weeks on the practice squad last season before being placed on the active roster last November. The club cut ties with Smolko on June 16
Anthony was the subject of a bit of a hype fest, Vic Ketchman, our friend at Jaguars.com, was very high on his performance, both as a hard-hitting "flat-headed" fullback, and also for his 100% catching percentage during camp. With Greg Jones as the Jaguars running back in waiting, Cotrone would have... | | By: Big Cat Country - An Unoffical Jacksonville Jaguar | | |
| | Live Bloggin From Broncos Training Camp - 8/2 AM Notes and Photos | | 2008-08-03 15:47:50 | |
First, my apologies for the tardiness of this report. With the Broncos taking the afternoon off to celebrate Gary Zimmerman's induction into the Hall of Fame, I was fortunate enough to get an early flight back home Saturday afternoon/evening. Then, of course, I had to get involved with being a dad again, something all fathers know whenever they are away for a few days. That left little time to get this out and for that I apologize.
That said, I want to take a moment to thank the Denver Broncos Media Relations staff, including Patrick Smythe and his folks for making me feel welcome and giving me anything and everything I needed to make my job easier. I also want to thank the Broncos internal Media staff, including Kyle Sonneman, Dave Gaylinn and others for making sure I didn't feel the wrath of Fred, the resident bad-ass security guy for the Broncos. We have talked many times about the CLASSY type of organization the Broncos are, and it doesn't stop on th... | | By: Mile High Report | | |
| | 2008 Bills Training Camp: Day Nine Breakdown | | 2008-08-03 08:19:28 | | Jauron gives his players Sunday off (Photo Source)
The Buffalo Bills held a morning practice on Saturday, and the big news of the day was that the team agreed to a deal with veteran LB Donnie Spragan. A player that the team worked out this past May, Spragan is a 32-year old veteran that has been a steady performer for the Broncos and Dolphins. His signing came in the wake of rookie Alvin Bowen's season-ending knee injury. Spragan is expected to compete for a reserve role at weak side linebacker and on special teams.
Missing Saturday's workout were QB J.P. Losman (re-aggravated thumb), WR James Hardy (hamstring), and CB Will James (groin). DE Copeland Bryan left practice early with an apparent hamstring injury.
Practice Getting BoringMuch of the fanfare and interest that surrounded the first week's practice sessions seems to have died down a bit. With the first pre-season game of the season coming up this coming Saturday at Washington, fans seem more anxio... | | By: Buffalo Rumblings | | |
| | 2008 Bills Training Camp: Day Eight Breakdown | | 2008-08-02 09:51:26 | | DiGiorgio getting looks at WLB (Photo Source)
Day eight of 2008 Buffalo Bills training camp is in the books, and with it came the team's first major injury of the season. Rookie linebacker Alvin Bowen, a fifth-round pick out of Iowa State this past April, suffered a severe knee injury in Friday's practice and is likely lost for the season. As a result of Bowen's injury, the Bills were forced to sign veteran free agent Donnie Spragan, who is expected to be a reserve outside linebacker and special teams player this season.
With Angelo Crowell sitting out of practice and Kawika Mitchell limited as part of a rest regimen for select veterans, backup middle linebacker John DiGiorgio worked with the first team at Mitchell's weak side spot. Keith Ellison continued to take first team reps at Crowell's strong side spot.
DiGiorgio's case is interesting. He played weak side in one game last season - a 26-3 loss at Pittsburgh in Week 2 - and held his own in an underrated ef... | | By: Buffalo Rumblings | | |
| | Training camp report | | 2008-08-02 09:38:08 | | "God bless coach Coughlin."
Those are the words of New York Giants' defensive end Dave Tollefson, whom Coughlin will allow to leave the team for a few days next week to be present for the birth of his first child.
Amazing! It wasn't that long ago when no one would have ever said anything remotely close to that about Coughlin.
Tollefson's story, by the way, is an interesting one. Check out the nice piece of work by Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.
Jeremy who? Plaxico who? Kevin Boss and Domenic Hixon have taken advantage of their opportunities thus far in training camp and are drawing considerable amounts of attention.
The Star Ledger's Mike Garafolo has reports on Friday's practices. The morning session and the evening session.
The Dallas Morning News has an interesting look at the Giants' offensive line. Included is something I didn't realize -- the fact that the Giants are the only team in the NFC East without a first-round draft pick on its offensive line.
Giants.com has a... | | By: Big Blue View | | |
| | Broncos Training Camp - 8/1 Quotes | | 2008-08-01 14:18:44 | |
BRONCOS HEAD COACH MIKE SHANAHAN
On LB Boss Bailey's absence from practice -- "His knee was a little inflamed today so we kept him off."
On his confidence in this year's team -- "What I said is you have to be a little bit lucky, fortunate and healthy. Like I said, in the two Super Bowl years we lost 10 starters (games) one year and we lost 15 starters (games) the next year. Last year we lost 72. I've got some high expectations for this team and hopefully we will get there."
On S Hamza Abdullah's health -- "Same thing, a little tight; his groin was a little sore. We kept him off the last two periods. He practiced everything except the last two."
On Gary Zimmerman being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame -- "It's a great tribute to Gary and this organization. Obviously the first Super Bowl we won he was a big part of that. Like I said, he's a guy we never had to worry about making a play. You don't say that very often in the National Football League, especially at that left tac... | | By: Mile High Report | | |
| | Live Bloggin From Broncos Training Camp - 8/1 AM Notes and Photos | | 2008-08-01 13:37:42 | |
Another glorious Colorado morning welcomed all of us to this morning's workout and let me tell ya, it was HOT! I mean, HOT, HOT! Yesterday was pretty tolerable because there really isn't any humidity. In Cleveland, when it gets to 90 or so the weather is almost intolerable becuase of the humidity. Today feels a bit juicier and I could feel it. If I could, the players could as well.
I took into account all your requests. I tried to focus on the O-Line and D-Line, but it gets difficult for 2 reasons. From the media vantage point, which is from the End Zone to the 20 yard line on either end of the field, it is hard to see the one-on-one battles. Even more difficult is the practice setup. While the players are in helmets and pads, it can't really be considered a "full contact" practice, especially on the interior.
I'm afraid to get a true indication of what is going on in the trenches we'll need to pay close attention to the p... | | By: Mile High Report | | |
| | 2008 Bills Training Camp: Day Seven Breakdown | | 2008-08-01 07:17:30 | | Hardy, others miss practice time (Photo Source)
The Buffalo Bills completed their first full seven-day week of training camp last night with an evening practice at St. John Fisher College, and Buffalo's injury list continues to lengthen early in camp.
The injuries are not yet considered serious, but there are several players missing practice time. Rookie wide receiver James Hardy, who pulled a hamstring during warm-ups, joined fellow rookie wideout Steve Johnson as sideline spectators. LB Angelo Crowell missed his third straight night of practice, and S Ko Simpson was absent as well as he had his surgically repaired ankle tested (the MRIs were reportedly negative). Fellow starting safety Donte Whitner left practice early after getting sick on the field.
Despite the injuries (and the continued absence of a certain Pro Bowl left tackle), the Bills' offense put together one of its better practice sessions of camp last night, particularly in the red zone. Defensive... | | By: Buffalo Rumblings | | |
| | 7/31/08 PM Training Camp Report | | 2008-07-31 23:10:45 | | Camping with FBT: 7/31/08 pm camp report
by FBT on Jul 31, 2008 8:27 PM PDT
The weather could not have been more perfect as the team took the field this evening in shorts and shells for what was a relatively light practice session with the scrimmage on the agenda for tomorrow. The rain had cleared out several hours earlier, so the fields were much drier. It was a relatively cool evening with a nice breeze and a small crowd in attendance.
The injury list appears to be holding steady with Chad Nkang, Jeremy Mincey, Reggie Williams, Jerry Porter, George Wrighster, and Brad Meester missing the evening session for well documented health issues.
Porter was at the practice facility for a good portion of the session before heading back to the locker room, happily signing autographs on his way out. He had his leg wrapped heavily from just below the knee to his buttocks region, and with the ice packs that were on the back side of his leg, it was difficult for him NOT to... | | By: Big Cat Country - An Unoffical Jacksonville Jaguar | | |
| | Dot Dot Dot…NFL Training Camp Reports | | 2008-07-31 15:41:54 | | Keeping up with all 32 Training Camps is a bit like keeping up with which models Tom Brady is hooking up with. It’s extremely fun, but it can be a bit time consuming…
We’ve sent...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]... | | By: This Just In | | |
| | Broncos Training Camp - 7/31 Quotes | | 2008-07-31 15:07:38 | | BRONCOS HEAD COACH MIKE SHANAHAN
On Thursday morning's practice -- "It was a great practice. We had good tempo and had great spirits. We got a lot done."
On the competition at defensive tackle -- "It's good; we have some good competition there. Every day you come out here you see one guy that flashes. We have a number of preseason games to put our defense in, but I'm looking forward to seeing them in live conditions. We've got some great effort; we've some young guys with a lot of potential. We'll just wait and see."
On DE Ebenezer Ekuban not practicing -- "It's very similar to what I've done with Tom Nalen, what I've done with (Dewayne) Robertson. Here is a veteran guy that came off surgery and missed six practices in a row and didn't complain and didn't want to miss practice, but I thought it was the best for him."
On the status of Tom Nalen -- "He's going to have an MRI today to just check everything out and make sure if there is something we have missed. According to (Head Athletic... | | By: Mile High Report | | |
| | Live Bloggin' From Broncos Training Camp - 7/31 AM Thoughts | | 2008-07-31 14:22:12 | |
Shanny readies for practice
My first practice and my goal was to take in as much as possible. It was great to see the Orange and Blue close up and get a real feel for just how fast, how big, and how powerful alot of these men are. I have read through the comments and will try and touch on as much as possible. I focused on the 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills, wanting to see how the team looked when simulating game action. As the week/weekend moves on I will focus on different parts.
There is hope, with the off-day following on Sunday, that the team may go full-pads on Saturday morning. I certainly hope that is the case.
Here are some of my musings, in no real order....
The following players did not dress this morning -- FB Peyton Hillis(Hammy), TE Chad Mustard(Hammy), C Tom Nalen(Knee), RB Michael Pittman(Hammy). The team is sending Nalen to have a MRI on his knee. Shanny stated it was simply "to have it checked out" and the team doesn't... | | By: Mile High Report | | |
| | Live Bloggin From Broncos Training Camp | | 2008-07-31 09:10:17 | |
8:00 AM mst - Good Morning from the Press Room at the worldwide headquarters for the Denver Broncos. With The Denver Post on one side of me and the Rocky Mountain News on the other, MHR has taken the next big step towards complete respectability. I know the Broncos read this site, so let this be my public Thank You! It means a lot to this lifelong fan to be given a tremendous opportunity and I plan to make the most of it!
In true Guru fashion, I have once again stumbled onto this day at the perfect time. John Lynch has left the Broncos, though there will be a press conference with him after the morning practice. I'll listen in, and give you my thoughts afterward.
A few things I am going to watch for this morning include -
--Who is running with the first team at safety now that Lynch is gone?
--Just how awesome does Josh Barrett loook in person? People have been raving about him throughoout camp and I want to lay eyes on him for myself.
--What ... | | By: Mile High Report | | |
| | 2008 Bills Training Camp: Day Six Breakdown | | 2008-07-30 19:48:11 | | Walker will play LT as long as Peters stays away (Photo Source)
A day after the team's first night practice of 2008 training camp, the Buffalo Bills took the field for another padded practice today - and upon doing so, made a very important switch on their offensive line.
Langston Walker, entering his second season as a Bill, will make the switch from right to left tackle. He'll be charged with the duty of protecting Trent Edwards' blind side until the team finds out what is going on with holdout left tackle Jason Peters.
This move is not considered permanent at the moment, but is meant to give the club options along the line in case Peters' holdout extends into the regular season. Currently, Walker is by far the team's best offensive tackle, so putting him at the most important position makes sense. But he is clearly better suited to playing the right side; depending on what happens with Peters, expect the team to start exploring the market of available tackle optio... | | By: Buffalo Rumblings | | |
| | Training Camp Quotes 7/30 | | 2008-07-30 19:39:58 | |
BRONCOS HEAD COACH MIKE SHANAHAN
On WR Eddie Royal -- "He is doing a very good job. He has a lot of talent, a lot of confidence. We know what he can do when the ball is in his hands with the punt returns and the kickoff returns. He’s got a burning desire to make the starting lineup. He is very impressive."
On he will use Royal on gameday -- "We practice to give them the opportunity to get it done on gameday. Hopefully, he will take advantage of the opportunity. He has a lot of talent, quickness and speed. He is making plays during practice, and when you make plays during practice, usually it carries over to the game."
On the absence of DT Dewayne Robertson, S John Lynch, and C Tom Nalen at practice -- "Lynch was excused for personal reasons. Roberson is going two practices and taking a day off. Nalen… same thing. The knee is a little bit sore. (RB Michael) Pittman a tight hamstring. Same thing with (FB) Peyton (Hillis)… little tight hamstring."
On Nalen not practicing -- "Hi... | | By: Mile High Report | | |
| | Training Camp Report 7/30 A.M. Edition | | 2008-07-30 16:24:42 | |
Notes and Highlights
From DenverBroncos.com
-Injuries-
It looks like hydration will continue to be an issue as players are battling tight muscles. Pittman was the latest addition to the inactives as he sat out with a hamstring injury with Hillis and Mustard.
-Nickel Packages-
The team is looking at different nickel packages, including a Moss/Mallard/Ekuban/DOOM line, DJ and Boss doing the 'backing, and Bly, Champ, Foxy, Hamza and McCree doing the covering. The front six in particular with this group looks fast. It has been mentioned in several places that guys are knocking down passes on the defensive line, something we haven't talked about much when we consider the virtues of guys like Moss, Mallard, and Ekuban. And for a "short" guy, DOOM has a knack for getting his hands up too, swatting 7 last year...
-Eddie Royal-
Speaking of Royal, Wednesday seemed to be his coming-out party. He has made great plays before, but this morning he made several grabs including one w... | | By: Mile High Report | | |
| | 2008 Bills Training Camp: Day Five Breakdown | | 2008-07-30 07:16:49 | | QB Trent Edwards, DE Chris Kelsay at Bills camp (Courtesy twoeightnine)
The Buffalo Bills held their first night practice of 2008 training camp last night at St. John Fisher College, and I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to attend the festivities. With pen and pad in hand, I spent the majority of my night frantically taking as many notes as possible. It was a beautiful night, but unfortunately, I was not overly impressed by what I saw from our team. Here are some observations, from units to players to coaches, that I hope you'll find useful (this could get long):
Edwards StrugglesFor all the good that we've heard from Trent Edwards this early in camp, I saw a guy who struggled a lot last night. He did mention post-practice that what the team was running last night was a whole bunch of new plays, which may have been the reason he looked so poor. But he was missing receivers high, he was bouncing throws off the turf, and he was very obviously d... | | By: Buffalo Rumblings | | |
| | Training camp report, 07.29 | | 2008-07-30 04:00:07 | | There seemingly hasn't been any movement in the Plaxico Burress situation. The Giants wide receiver still isn't practicing, and he still doesn't have a new contract.
Mike Garafolo reported Tuesday that it's not as if the Giants waited until the last minute to get a deal done. The big MG says the Giants actually reached out to Burress first to try and strike a new deal.
The biggest news from camp Tuesday was that Amani Toomer did not practice, sitting out with swelling in his leg.
Here are a variety of practice reports.
Giants.com
Mike Garafolo, Star Ledger
True Blue
Ralph Vacchiano, New York Daily News
Neil Best reports in his 'Watchdog' blog for Newsday that David Tyree is on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
... | | By: Big Blue View | | |
| | Broncos Training Camp Quotes - 7/29 A.M. | | 2008-07-29 13:46:16 | |
BRONCOS HEAD COACH MIKE SHANAHAN
On the Broncos' running backs -- "I feel good. Like I said before, the running back position and the safety position I usually save the evaluations for the preseason games. Thus far, I am very happy with both." On RB Ryan Torain's quickness -- "We talked about him in the draft and I thought he was a first round talent. He hasn't disappointed me yet. We'll get a chance to see if he can hold onto the football, if he can remember his plays when the lights are on. So far he has worked extremely hard, and he's impressed most of the coaches." On C Tom Nalen's health -- "He's fine. I wanted to go a couple days with Tom (and then) give him a day off. He is such a hard-nose tough guy that he wants to go four or five days in a row, but it is rest well needed. We'll do that every few days, so we don't overwork him (and) get him back in football shape with his knee. Knowing Tom, he won't skip a beat. " On Nalen's offseason recovery -- "He's rebounded very good. O... | | By: Mile High Report | | |
| | Dot Dot Dot...NFL Training Camp Updates | | 2008-07-29 13:27:29 | | Keeping up with all 32 Training Camps is a bit like keeping up with which models Tom Brady is hooking up with. It's extremely fun, but it can be a bit time consuming...
We've sent correspondents out...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]... | | By: This Just In | | |
| | Broncos Training Camp Report - 7/28 A.M. Quotes | | 2008-07-28 17:06:34 | |
HEAD COACH MIKE SHANAHAN
On T Ryan Harris -- "He is looking good. So far, so good. Ryan is very mature, and he feels very comfortable at the position and he is making big strides." On 11-on-11 drills -- "Well at the end what we have is a situation where we move the ball and all the coaches are off the field. We just like to see how people perform on their own. We try to put them in a gameday situation. They have down and distance and are actually moving the ball. You can see penalties and dropped balls, you can see big plays and when you try to end practice that way every morning you try to get a situation where the coaches are obviously away. We like to see which guys step up." On CB Domonique Foxworth -- "He had a big play (interception) today. Foxy has had a great camp and great OTAs, and that is what we are looking for-Guys that step up and get better... and Foxy has done that and helped himself." On WR Brandon Marshall -- "Brandon's hand is fine, but he has to get into football s... | | By: Mile High Report | | |
| | 2008 Bills Training Camp: Day Four Breakdown | | 2008-07-28 15:47:02 | | Jackson, backs making plays as receivers (Photo Source)
Day three of 2008 Buffalo Bills Training Camp was a walk-through session; the team made up for the early walk-through today with the first pads practice of camp. The Bills are completely done with two-a-days for the duration of camp, which may not be a bad thing, considering the way the team was hitting today.
Here's what occurred of note during today's practice, with, as usual, the bulk of the discussion topics lifted from the official site's excellent coverage...
This. Is. Football.The pads were back on, which means that the Bills were playing physically. Which means that football is back. You have to love hearing lines like this:"Marshawn Lynch got the drill started off with a good hit on linebacker Kawika Mitchell that drew some 'oohs' from the crowd."Or this:"In a two-on-two drill where two members of the wedge face two coverage players coming at them, Barnes was a coverage player and cracked rookie Demetri... | | By: Buffalo Rumblings | | |
| | 2008 Bills Training Camp: Day Two Breakdown | | 2008-07-27 08:30:16 | | McKelvin signs, will practice in pads Monday (Photo Source)
After their opening day of practices in which the offense shined and several players were signed, the Buffalo Bills received more good news on Saturday. Left tackle Jason Peters, who continued his holdout on Saturday, remains the lone off-field distraction for the Bills.
Rookie cornerback Leodis McKelvin won't be missing any more practice time, as the first-round pick inked a 5-year, $19.4 million deal with $12.6 million guaranteed to officially end his short holdout yesterday. As the Bills have a closed practice session today, the first time Bills fans will get to glimpse McKelvin will be during Monday's practice in pads.
Here's what took place of note on the field during Saturday's two practice sessions (courtesy of BuffaloBills.com):
Running Backs Catching PassesAs promised, new offensive coordinator Turk Schonert is making a concerted effort to get Buffalo's running backs more involved in the passing game this... | | By: Buffalo Rumblings | | |
| | Training camp, Day 2 | | 2008-07-27 06:00:06 | | Sorry gang, I didn't make it over to the afternoon practice Saturday as I thought I might. Something about projects around the house followed by Yankees-Red Sox that kept me at home.
Anyway, Plaxico Burress continues to be the big story without doing anything, In fact, it's his not doing anything that is the story. Team doctors told coach Tom Coughlin that Burress' troublesome ankle is still too tender for him to practice. Looks like we are in for another season of 'Game Day.'
Here's a full practice report from Ralph Vacchiano.
Mathias Kiwanuka understands the frustration Jeremy Shockey felt missing last season's Super Bowl.
"A guy like him, everything gets magnified when he can't do ... what he's meant to do," Kiwanuka said today. "He's a tight end in the NFL and he's one of the best I've seen out there. When you're that driven and that focused on your life and your job and everything you do revolves around that and you can't do it one day, that's got to be tough. I respect him a... | | By: Big Blue View | | |
| | Another Training Camp Write-Up for 7/26 | | 2008-07-27 00:47:37 | | Editorial Note: I found this on the Orlando Sentinel website and it was written by Kyle Hightower on their blog page... Find it here. I hope he keeps these up! If anyone wants to do their own write-ups attach them as fan posts and we'll put it on the front page!
-Collin
The Jacksonville Jaguars 2008 training camp officially got underway this morning with the first of two Saturday workouts. Here are a few quick notes…
TAKING IT LIGHTCoach Jack Del Rio went short for the first session, keeping his squad on the field for just an hour and 20 minutes.
The Jags started camp working with just about 75 bodies, hamstringed by having five players (WR Jerry Porter, DB Chad Nkang, TE George Wrighster, DE Jeremy Mincey and WR Reggie Williams) on the Physically Unable to Perform List.
Every NFL team is also hampered by the end of NFL Europe, which allowed teams to float around seven player exemptions. The Jags started camp prior to the 2007 season with 87 players. Normally, the fi... | | By: Big Cat Country - An Unoffical Jacksonville Jaguar | | |
| | Broncos Training Camp Day 2 - A.M. Notes and Quotes | | 2008-07-26 13:00:03 | |
Day 2 of workouts for the Broncos is underway. Following from afar, I have to rely on various sources that are live at the practice facility. I will rotate around based on the information I find.
Here is what I have found out about the AM session --
Another Player Done For 2008 -- First it was Carlton Powell. Now WR Edell Sheppard is done for the year after teearing his ACL and hamstring during workouts yesterday. While Sheppard wasn't a name most people were looking to make an impact in 2008, it is never a good thing when you lose some for the year, especially when rosters are already thin becuase of the 80-man limit.
Here are some thoughts from Lindsay Jones from the Denver Post and her Broncos Blog --
The starters on the d-line during the first set of team drills had Ebenezer Ekuban and Dwayne Robertson at tackle, with Elvis Dumervil and Jarvis Moss at D-End. Moss was with the second-team later in the workout. The starting offensive line was LT Ry... | | By: Mile High Report | | |
| | Opening Training Camp News and Notes | | 2008-07-26 10:21:58 | |
The pads haven't even come out yet and already the Jaguars are full of news. I'm currently on the road, so pardon my absence. Here's what we know so far.
: Reggie Williams has a sprained knee and will start camp on the Physically Unable to Play list (PUP, if you will). Reggie joins Jerry Porter, George Wrightster, Chad Nkang, and Jeremy Mincey. Don't worry though, Reggie should be back in a few days. No need to panic that the Jaguars number one and number two receivers are off the field, instead think about all the extra reps guys like Matt Jones and Troy Williamson will get. This is also a good chance for Mike Walker to prove that his knee is no longer an issue.
: Derrick Harvey is still unsigned, though I've a hunch that he'll be in action soon. Trust me.
: Matt Jones says he's sorry.
: The first practice is underway right now in shorts, the second session is tonight at 7:00, also in shorts. If you're going, be sure to drop a note abou... | | By: Big Cat Country - An Unoffical Jacksonville Jaguar | | |
| | Broncos Training Camp Day 1 Thoughts | | 2008-07-26 09:11:40 | |
The first day of Training Camp 2008 is in the books and has already left us with more questions. Each day I'll give my thoughts on the previous day's work and try to sum up what we saw, what we heard, and what we read.
1. Call The Exterminator -- The injury bug is back, that is, if you thought it had left in the first place. Before the first ball was snapped we found out the DT Carlton Powell would likely miss the season with a torn Achilles tendon. Then, reserve WR Edell Sheppard injured his knee and missed the afternoon session. If one reason could be targeted for the team's play in 2007 it would be injuries. Even Jay Cutler's diabetes is injury related in some ways. While the team does possess depth in several areas, I wouldn't term depth as a team strength. Every team tries to avoid getting hurt in Training Camp, for the Broncos it is even more important.
2. A Couple of Starters Out of Shape -- Brandon Marshall has been... | | By: Mile High Report | | |
| | Bills Training Camp, Day Two: Open Thread | | 2008-07-26 07:59:25 | | Day one of 2008 Buffalo Bills training camp is in the books, and the Bills hit the practice field once again at St. John Fisher College about a half-hour ago. To this point, a few things remain clear this morning: Jason Peters and Leodis McKelvin are still not present for today's two practices; DT Kyle Williams, meanwhile, has returned to the practice field after missing yesterday's session due to the birth of his second child.
Please use this as an open thread for any rumors/updates you hear throughout the second day of Bills training camp. We'll provide a summary of the day's action later on this afternoon. Go Bills!... | | By: Buffalo Rumblings | | |
| | Training Camp Prediction: The QB Battle | | 2008-07-25 23:30:06 | | It's here!!!
Training camp officially gets underway today in Davie, with the first practice scheduled for 9 am and the second one for 5 pm. And, of course, I'll be sure to post links up as time allows to the various practice reports that the local papers will be sure to write. Also, if anyone out there is going to any of these practices, feel free to share your observations from practice as a FanPost (which I'd likely promote to the front page so all can see).
Anyways, as I outlined about a week back, the quarterback battle will really be the main storyline of training camp.
And nothing more can really be said about this. The time for talk is over. Now, each players' actions will speak for them. Can they be productive on the field? That's the question that we hope will be answered during camp and during the preseason.
And with that, I pose to you all a very simple question: which QB do you think will win the starting job to open the season? Not... | | By: The Phinsider | | |
| | 2008 Broncos Training Camp Report - Day 1 - Afternoon Quotes | | 2008-07-25 20:07:17 | | First off, take a look on the right sidebar for "Training Camp Casualties". These will be updated as players roll on and off the injury report. Hopefully the list doesn't get too long!
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2008 (P.M. PRACTICE)
T RYAN CLADY
On the first practice of training camp -- "It's kind of like the same thing over and over through the OTAs, so [practice] reps over and over help you get better. "It went well. I think it's actually a little bit easier just because for linemen [pads are] something to hold onto. It's not a running back or anything like that. It's a physical game in the trenches, so it's a lot easier with pads on." On the last 24 hours (signing contract and first training camp practice) -- "I was pretty calm until I went to sleep and then I kind of woke up like every hour checking my phone and seeing if anything went down. I was a little nervous toward the end, but it all worked out for the best." On what he calls his dance move he performed at the first pr... | | By: Mile High Report | | |
| | 2008 Bills Training Camp: Day One Breakdown | | 2008-07-25 17:57:40 | | Evans pleased with progress on contract negotiations (Photo Source)
The Buffalo Bills hit the field at St. John Fisher College for two practice sessions today, as they opened 2008 training camp with two solid practices. Here's what happened of note on the first day of camp (as reported by BuffaloBills.com):
Peters Holds OutThe big story, of course, is that Jason Peters is holding out. We'll definitely discuss this a bit more over the weekend (probably tomorrow morning); for now, if you're looking to vent on Peters, check out this story.
Evans Has a Great DayLee Evans had a good day, both off the field and on. In his usual candid manner, Evans confirmed that progress has been made between his agent and the Bills on a contract extension. This is great news - Evans has been a true professional, never missing a workout and never complaining about his deal (he's currently working on his rookie deal), and the Bills are rewarding him for his loyalty and professionalis... | | By: Buffalo Rumblings | | |
| | 2008 Broncos Training Camp Report - Day 1 - DT Carlton Powell Done for the Year | | 2008-07-25 16:50:44 | | FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2008 (A.M. PRACTICE)
HEAD COACH MIKE SHANAHAN
On the first practice of training camp - "Typical first day, especially in pads. Any time you don't practice for about 15 days, it's really hard to look sharp, but I know we had some good effort. It was a little bit hot with player in full pads, [but] it's nice to get back in football shape.
"We've been going for about a month, but any time you're away from football-related drills, it takes a while. The first day is always the toughest, especially with shoulder pads on, but the guys worked extremely hard and over time we'll eliminate mistakes and hopefully get better day by day." On WR Brandon Marshall's health - "Good. He's fine. He's been going full speed for a month." On QB Jay Cutler's health - "He's controlling the diabetes. Obviously he has a game plan. He's gained his weight back-the majority of his weight-and he looks good."
On DT Carlton Powell's injury -
"It happened a number of weeks ago. His Achill... | | By: Mile High Report | | |
| | Carlton Powell Starts Training Camp on P.U.P. List | | 2008-07-25 11:39:30 | | The Denver Broncos on Friday declared rookie defensive tackle Carlton Powell active/physically unable to perform with an injury to his right Achilles tendon suffered during offseason workouts.
Powell was selected by Denver in the fifth round (148th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft from Virginia Tech University.
I am looking into this a bit deeper to see how serious the injury is. The Broncos can remove Powell from the P.U.P List at anytime before final roster cutdowns. After that point, Powell would be inactive until after Week 6.
... | | By: Mile High Report | | |
| | Welcome to Training Camp: Let's Get Campy! | | 2008-07-25 11:00:11 | |
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS OPEN TRAINING CAMP TODAY!
The 2008 offesason comes to an end today as 79 of 80 players report for the team meetings this evening in Jacksonville. The reinvention of the Jaguars comes to its first test as the burning questions come one step closer to being answered. While our coverage of camp will be extensive and exhausting, let's take a moment and identify the storylines to watch.
What to Watch For!
Gregg Williams: Can he bring the heat? The Jaguars offseason has revolved around the creation of an aggressive pass-rushing defense. Will Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves bring the pressure? Will Mathis, Florence, and Williams shore up the secondary enough to bring the extra heat? Will we see blitz blitz blitz or cover cover cover? When you see our ends and linebackers put their hands on Garrard, we'll know. I expect Gregg to throw the kitchen sink in training camp so he can get a feel for what he has, so note the blitz... | | By: Big Cat Country - An Unoffical Jacksonville Jaguar | | |
| | Bills Training Camp, Day One: Open Thread | | 2008-07-25 07:33:42 | | The Buffalo Bills are set to kick off their first practice of 2008 Training Camp in just a few moments, sans OT Jason Peters and top draft pick CB Leodis McKelvin. McKelvin is expected to be signed relatively soon - perhaps even soon enough to get him onto the field for this afternoon's practice, which starts at 2:15 PM - but there will be no such luck for Peters.
If you're headed to training camp today, we'd love to hear from you later on this afternoon if you feel up to it. Be sure to check out the official site's coverage, and if you're traveling today, WGR 550 should have top-notch coverage as well. Use this open thread to report any developments or discuss what you see/hear on the field as the Bills strap on the pads for the first time.
Update #3: BuffaloBills.com has posted its practice report from this morning's inaugural practice. Check it out; we'll break it down in-depth later on this afternoon.
Update #2: It's been revealed that Kyle Williams was excu... | | By: Buffalo Rumblings | | |
| | Bills OT Peters Stays Away From Training Camp | | 2008-07-25 07:11:13 | | With Peters holding out, pressure squarely on Bills (Photo Source)
It's Friday morning. The Buffalo Bills are set to hold their first training camp practice of the 2008 season in about a half hour. They'll be hitting the practice field without their best offensive player, as offensive tackle Jason Peters has continued his holdout and has not reported to camp at St. John Fisher College. NFL Network's Adam Schefter is reporting that Peters is contemplating a season-long holdout should he not get a new deal - and, unlike Chicago's Devin Hester, he can probably afford it.
We're all well aware of the situation. What becomes important to discuss at this point is the two sides to the story from Buffalo's perspective (because, let's face it, the ball is now in their court - Peters has made his move). The Bills, at this point, can either continue to play hardball, or they can just pay the man. Let's dive in:
Reasons to Play Hardball with PetersBelow are the ... | | By: Buffalo Rumblings | | |
| | Mike Shanahan Live at the Training Camp Media BBQ | | 2008-07-24 16:33:32 | | The Broncos held their annual Pre-Camp Media BBQ at the Broncos HQ and while I would have loved to make it I had flies on the wall to take in all the action, which includes the coach taking some time to talk about reduced roster sizes, Brandon Marshall's status on and off the field as well as questions facing the team heading into camp.
Here is a look at the short Q&A session from this afternoon --
On whether he has made changes to this season’s training camp practices
“You know, we have. It’s been quite different to go from 90 players to 80 players, and one of the adjustments that we’ve made in our afternoon practice is (that) normally we would have a normal practice, maybe an hour-and-a-half to an hour-and-40 minutes. It’s going to be more of what we call a ‘jog through.’ We’ll get a chance to get a lot of repetitions of different things that we didn’t see in the morning practice both offensively and defensively... | | By: Mile High Report | | |
| | Rumblings Training Camp Coverage and Fantasy Football Notice | | 2008-07-24 11:13:02 | | Insert cliches about big televisions, fancy cars and boring "reporting day" camp coverage here. The Buffalo Bills officially kick off their 2008 season later this afternoon, when players report to St. John Fisher College for the start of training camp.The big story, of course, is the fact that the team could face several holdouts as the team's top three draft picks, as well as LT Jason Peters, are either unsigned or unhappy with their current deals. We'll be watching with interest to see if any of these signings occur - or Peters reports for duty - throughout the day.As news starts to unfold throughout the day - and as camp practices begin to take place and we start to see the roster shape up right before our eyes - we'll continue our usual routine of breaking down events in-depth as they happen. Before the storm begins, however, I thought it prudent to share a few notes centered around training camp (as well as this blog) that y'all should be aware of:Community Camp ... | | By: Buffalo Rumblings | | |
| | Training Camp Primer: Burning Question #5 - The secondary | | 2008-07-23 23:15:06 | | We'll now wrap up our "5 burning questions" segment by talking a little bit about our secondary. Despite many fans feeling that the Dolphins needed to sure up the secondary this offseason, either through the draft or via free agency, the front office stood pat (for the most part).
At cornerback, Will Allen will be the team's unquestioned #1 cornerback. Allen's 2007 success rate of 51.4% ranked him 8th in the NFL. He doesn't come up with many interceptions, but his man is usually covered fairly well.
The battle for the starting cornerback job opposite Will Allen will be interesting to watch. It figures to come down to Andre Goodman and Michael Lehan, who is expected to be ready for camp despite suffering an ankle injury during offseason practices. Goodman did struggle a lot last year after playing surprisingly well in 2006. But following a second shoulder surgery back in January, Goodman feels good and is looking forward to 2008. He tells the Mi... | | By: The Phinsider | | |
| | Bills Training Camp Battles: Starting FS | | 2008-07-23 05:41:12 | | Can Simpson re-claim starting FS role? (Photo Source)
Note: As Buffalo Rumblings counts down the days until the start of the Buffalo Bills' 2008 training camp (current count: 2), we'll be breaking down some of the bigger battles we're sure to witness during summer practices. We continue our Battles series by looking at the battle for starting free safety. Previous installments: Backup TE, Backup LT, Starting CB, Returners, Starting DT
The 2007 season was supposed to be a break-out year for then-second-year Buffalo Bills free safety Ko Simpson. However, after less than two quarters of football, a severely broken ankle ended Simpson's sophomore season. Instead, 2007 was a year of emergence for George Wilson, a converted wideout who, upon entering the lineup for the first time as a starting safety, proved that he could be a playmaker - even if he has shortcomings elsewhere. Simpson is back to 100% health, but is it safe to assume he'll automatically re-claim... | | By: Buffalo Rumblings | | |
| | Bills Training Camp Battles: Starting DT | | 2008-07-22 10:45:05 | | Open competition for DT slot next to Stroud (Photo Source)
Note: As Buffalo Rumblings counts down the days until the start of the Buffalo Bills' 2008 training camp (current count: 3), we'll be breaking down some of the bigger battles we're sure to witness during summer practices. We continue our Battles series by looking at the battle for the (supposedly) vacant starting DT position. Previous installments: Backup TE, Backup LT, Starting CB, Returners
As the Buffalo Bills' big-name import from the 2008 NFL off-season, defensive tackle Marcus Stroud will not only be an immediate starter, he'll be counted on as a leader from the moment he dons his new red, white and blue uniform. Who will Stroud's running mate be inside? That's the real question, and ultimately, it's a question that probably doesn't need to have a clear answer (and might not when push comes to shove). Meet the candidates for Buffalo's remaining starting DT slot...
The Slight Favorite: Kyle W... | | By: Buffalo Rumblings | | |
| | Training Camp Primer: Burning Question #4 - The pass rush | | 2008-07-21 23:15:06 | | We're just days away from the beginning of training camp down in Davie. And now that Jason Taylor is in our nation's capital, there is suddenly a new burning question that the Dolphins must address during camp this year.
Where will their pass rush come from?
Sure, I already said that I'm a fan of the trade that "the trifecta" pulled off this weekend. The long-term benefits of this deal, to me, outweigh the short-term negatives. Nonetheless, this is still an issue. How will the Dolphins generate any pass rush now that their all-time leading sack leader is in Washington?
Consider this: the Dolphins ranked 24th in the NFL in 2007 in sacks with just 30. Now, with Zach Thomas in Dallas (though he wasn't a pass-rusher per se) and Taylor in Washington, Miami has lost 12 of their 30 sacks from '07. So where will any kind of pass rush come from?
Sure, the Dolphins added a few players along the front seven. But none of them are prototypical pass rushers ... | | By: The Phinsider | | |
| | Training camp is almost here | | 2008-07-21 06:00:06 | | It's getting close now. Training camp begins Friday in Albany for the DEFENDING SUPER BOWL CHAMPION New York Giants.
So, the title defense is about to begin for real, and there was plenty of season preview material floating around the Inter-Google over the weekend. Let's cover some of the highlights.
The biggest question as we enter the season is how the Giants will handle being defending champion. From what they are saying, the Giants seem to understand that they still have a lot to prove.
"You do it once and people can call it a fluke, but if you do it twice, they start to really respect you and understand your talent," Giants center Shaun O'Hara said.
Other Giants have heard the naysayers, too.
"We still feel a little bit of a sense of people saying that the Patriots lost," defensive tackle Barry Cofield said in the team hotel the morning after the miracle. "We still feel like a poor man's champ."
Nearly six months later, the Giants don't seem to feel any richer, and they've yet ... | | By: Big Blue View | | |
| | Bills Training Camp Battles: KR/PR | | 2008-07-19 08:58:05 | | McGee has a new competitor for KR reps (Photo Source)
Note: As Buffalo Rumblings counts down the days until the start of the Buffalo Bills' 2008 training camp (current count: 6), we'll be breaking down some of the bigger battles we're sure to witness during summer practices. We continue our Battles series by looking at the battle for the team's kick and punt return duties. Previous installments: Backup TE, Backup LT, Starting CB
For about half a decade now, the Buffalo Bills have boasted one of the NFL's most consistently excellent special teams units in every facet of the game, from kicking to kick coverage to returns. Particularly in the return department - where Terrence McGee and Roscoe Parrish rank amongst the league's elite individual return men - Buffalo is very close to unparalleled as a unit.
Not for no reason, however, was rookie CB Leodis McKelvin regarded as one of the most explosive return men in this past April's draft. With 7 career punt returns ... | | By: Buffalo Rumblings | | |
| | Bills Training Camp Battles: Starting CB | | 2008-07-18 07:22:59 | | Greer, Youboty in the mix at CB (Photo Source)
Note: As Buffalo Rumblings counts down the days until the start of the Buffalo Bills' 2008 training camp (current count: 8), we'll be breaking down some of the bigger battles we're sure to witness during summer practices as part of a comprehensive package of pre-camp topics we'll explain in more depth in the near future. For now, we'll continue our Battles series by looking at the battle for the team's starting cornerback position. Previous installments: Backup TE, Backup LTThere is currently no bigger logjam on the Buffalo Bills' roster than the one at cornerback. Six players will be competing for playing time, and with only three positions seeing consistent work on the field, the competition should be fierce. Veteran Terrence McGee will once again man one starting role. Who should be his running mate? Meet the candidates...The Favorite: Jabari Greer (33)After taking over for two injured players - Jaso... | | By: Buffalo Rumblings | | |
| | Training Camp Primer: Burning Question #3 - Ricky & Ronnie | | 2008-07-17 23:15:06 | | Yesterday we continued with our "5 burning questions" for training camp by talking about the QB situation. Incase you missed that, you can check it out here.
Today, as we move along with our "burning questions," we look at another very important aspect of this year's offense: the running back situation; and in particular, Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams.
We all remember how great Ronnie Brown was last year before his injury. He was finally playing like the #2 overall pick. Oh, and I partly blame myself for Ronnie's injury. Why? In the week leading up to the Pats game, I posted a new box in the site's sidebar called "Ronnie Watch" - which listed the top 5 players in yards from scrimmage last year and was supposed to be updated throughout the regular season as Ronnie looked to lead the league in total yards. Of course, the very next game, we all remember what happened. So yes, I apologize. My bad. But considering Brown was the only re... | | By: The Phinsider | | |
| | Denver Broncos Training Camp 2008 - Fan Information Guide**REVISED** | | 2008-07-17 13:55:55 | | The offseason is over. It's time for the Broncos to strap on their helmets and hit the practice field to start preparations for the 2008 season at the team's annual training camp. And you're invited to come out and watch all the action, up close and personal. Practices are open to the public and absolutely free!
Get the first look at the 2008 Broncos
Take pictures
Get player autographs
Check out cool team memorabilia
Shop for your own Broncos gear at the team store
And much more!
The team will practice at its headquarters in Englewood, Colo., for a fifth consecutive year.
Parking: Parking at the Broncos’ facility is located on the west side of the practice fields and is open on a first-come, first-served basis. Because space is limited, please arrive early. The parking area is open one hour before the start of practice.
ADA: Admission to the Denver Broncos’ 2008 training camp will be ADA accessible.
General Seating: There will be no bleachers at the Broncos... | | By: Mile High Report | | |
| | Training Camp Primer: Burning Question #2 - The QBs | | 2008-07-16 23:15:05 | | It's time to continue on with our "burning questions" training camp primer. If you missed "burning question #1," then just click here.
And while the Jason Taylor saga was listed by me as the first burning question, this next issue is undoubtedly the biggest on-field question that needs to be answered in training camp.
Who will be the team's starting quarterback against the Jets in week one?
This is a question that likely will not be answered until mid to late August. In fact, John Beck even confirmed that he's heard talk that the timetable for a decision to be made is the 3rd preseason game. Beck also said that he doesn't feel any of the 3 QBs have a leg up at this point.
For obvious reasons, this will be the most closely watched and most widely scrutinized position battle of them all down in Davie. But the funny thing is that the outcome of this competition could very well be the key to the Dolphins' future...or it could mean absolutely nothing at all. It... | | By: The Phinsider | | |
| | Training Camp Predictions: The FB battle | | 2008-07-16 12:02:45 | | Continuing on with our training camp prediction threads, it's now time to look ahead to the fullback battle that will take place in training camp.
Reagan Mauia, the 6-foot tall, 270 pound holdover from last year, will look to hold off the newcomer, Boomer Grigsby. Grigsby, coming in at 5'11, 249, will attempt to unseat Mauia, a 2007 draft pick, despite having just one year of experience as a fullback.
So here's the thing. Both are pretty raw at the position, but both have potential. Mauia's combination of insane size (for a FB) and speed (for a man that size) makes him a bit of a freak. And we saw last year that he did get better as the year went on, perhaps leading you to think that he can certainly meet his potential as a blocker.
Meanwhile, Grigsby lacks the size of Mauia but is simply a crazy animal out on the field. I didn't really see too much of Boomer as a blocker last year simply because I didn't really pay attention to the Chiefs all that much (c... | | By: The Phinsider | | |
| | Bills Training Camp Battles: Backup LT | | 2008-07-16 05:45:05 | | Chambers leading the pack to back up Peters (Photo Source)
Note: As Buffalo Rumblings counts down the days until the start of the Buffalo Bills' 2008 training camp (current count: 8), we'll be breaking down some of the bigger battles we're sure to witness during summer practices as part of a comprehensive package of pre-camp topics we'll explain in more depth in the near future. For now, we'll continue our Battles series by looking at the battle for the team's third tackle position. Previous installments: Backup TE
With Buffalo Bills Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters unhappy with his contract situation, the training camp battle for the right to be Peters' primary backup suddenly holds much more importance for the Bills. If Peters decides to hold out of even part of training camp - and nothing is out of the question at this point - and things get ugly, the winner of this competition becomes one of the most important players on Buffalo's entire offensive unit.
Meet the... | | By: Buffalo Rumblings | | |
| | Training Camp Primer: Burning Question #1 - Jason Taylor | | 2008-07-15 23:15:05 | | Over the course of the next 10 days or so (because that's all that is left before camp kicks off), I plan on taking a look at the 5 burning questions that the Dolphins face as they enter training camp.
To start us off with this, I thought I'd look at the biggest question facing this team first. And that, of course, is Jason Taylor. What will Taylor do? Will he show up for camp or will he decide to hold out if he doesn't get his wish of playing for a contender?
You know, it's funny. Throughout this whole long, drawn-out circus this off-season regarding Jason Taylor, I've taken a lot of heat. And that's probably because I was one of the few who turned against Taylor, calling him out and proclaiming that he's selfish and he's not the leader of this team anymore. And to this day, some Dolphin fans still flame me for my strong words against Taylor.
People said I was crazy for knocking him for not being at the OTAs and voluntary mini-camp. Then some ... | | By: The Phinsider | | |
| | Training Camp Predictions: The WR battle | | 2008-07-14 11:57:55 | | Since we are now less than 2 weeks away from the beginning of training camp, I wanted to begin a series of questions that we could all discuss.
Basically, about every other day or so, I'll post a new "training camp prediction" thread where I will ask you all for your predictions on who will win certain training camp battles.
Today we discuss the wide receivers.
Now, it's safe to say that Ted Ginn, Ernest Wilford, and Derek Hagan (some might disagree about Hagan, but just assume this for the sake of discussion) are going to be 3 of the receivers that make this team. That leaves David Kircus and Greg Camarillo as the only 2 non-rookies battling for a spot. The 5 rookies are Davone Bess, Jayson Foster, Selwyn Lymon, John Dunlap, and Justin Wynn.
So lay your reputation on the line and tell us all who you think will end up making the team. And feel free to even predict somebody not currently on the roster as one of the receivers that make the 53-man squad.
My prediction: I... | | By: The Phinsider | | |
| | Bills Training Camp Battles: Backup TE | | 2008-07-14 06:00:07 | | Schouman making off-season waves (Photo Source)
Note: As Buffalo Rumblings counts down the days until the start of the Buffalo Bills' 2008 training camp (current count: 10), we'll be breaking down some of the bigger battles we're sure to witness during summer practices as part of a comprehensive package of pre-camp topics we'll explain in more depth in the near future. For now, let's get our Training Camp Battles series under way with a discussion of the team's tight ends.
With a second-year quarterback in Trent Edwards working to establish rapport with nearly every offensive weapon in his arsenal, Buffalo's competition to find a "receiving tight end" to be Edwards' safety valve is, quite literally, wide open. While the names here don't elicit excitement in what should be a boring offensive philosophy (at least when it comes to the tight ends), the winner of this competition will nonetheless have an impact on how Buffalo's offense operates. Meet those about to go to ... | | By: Buffalo Rumblings | | |
| | Training Camp Primer: 3 undrafted rookies to watch | | 2008-07-08 23:15:06 | | It's time again to talk a little bit about what to watch for once training camp gets underway in less than 3 weeks.
Today, let's talk about the young guys. Specifically, let's discuss which undrafted rookies we should all probably keep a close eye on in camp and in preseason.
Davone Bess, WR, HawaiiIt's been no secret around these parts that I simply love Davone Bess and have high hopes for him. I've said since the moment we signed him that he would make this Dolphins team, and my opinion remains unchanged. If anything, I'm even more confident that he'll make the squad.
Many media OTA and mini-camp practice reports claim that Bess has looked good at times. And Tony Sparano even brought his name up when speaking about young players who have impressed. He really does remind of a guy who can develop into a great possession receiver. Sure, he's only 5'10, but he's got terrific hands and knows how to get open. That's one thing all Hawaii receivers k... | | By: The Phinsider | | |
| | Quick Bytes: 25 Days till Training Camp | | 2008-07-01 00:41:48 | |
Quick Bytes: The daily digest of everything you need to know about the Jacksonville Jaguars (and other things).Today is the first day of July, which means the Jacksonville Jaguars are a mere 25 short days until opening training camp! This also means that there is 25 long days where there is very little Jaguars news, updates, or anything else to hear as far as official reports. But that certainly does not mean that there's nothing to talk about, just that the reguar media is basically on vacation for the next three weeks or so.: Pete Prisco of CBS Sportsline has two articles of note. His first, the "Breakout Players of 2008" feature is a typical "dead zone" article where potential and speculation reigns over fact. Facts, of course, are few and far between right now, but whatever:
26. Troy Williamson, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: He was considered a flop in Minnesota after his selection in the first round of the 2005 draft. He had 79 catches in his first t... | | By: Big Cat Country - An Unoffical Jacksonville Jaguar | | |
| | Training Camp Primer: 3 positions that could use an upgrade | | 2008-06-30 23:16:28 | |
As June turns into July and we continue to inch closer and closer to training camp, it's time to now take a look at 3 areas of the team where the Dolphins could use an upgrade, whether it's prior to camp or following the rounds of cuts that are to come.
OFFENSIVE LINEThis is clearly the biggest issue facing the Dolphins in terms of potential upgrades. Sure, the Dolphins have already improved the offensive line this offseason with the selection of Jake Long and the signing of Justin Smiley. But as GM Jeff Ireland even recognizes, the Dolphins have an issue at the other guard spot as well as with their depth.
The starting guard spot opposite of Justin Smiley is up for grabs. Competing for the job will be two rookies, Shawn Murphy and Donald Thomas, as well as 2 inexperienced veterans, Ike Ndukwe and Trey Darilek. Also, Steve McKinney, who is still rehabbing his knee, could be a potential option. But as this article points out so well, these options aren't... | | By: The Phinsider | | |
| | | Training Camp to Kickoff July 26 | | 2008-06-25 15:57:16 | |
The Dolphins have made it official. The 2008 Training Camp schedule has been released. It will begin with a double session on Saturday, July 26. The first practice is at 9 am and the second is at 5 pm. The veteran players are due to report to Davie on Friday, July 25, the day before practice begins.
The full schedule can be viewed right here. Some observations from the schedule are below:
-First off day is Thursday, July 31-Only 5 double sessions are scheduled-July 26 to August 1 seems to be the toughest stretch for the players. They got a double on the 26, then singles on the 27-29, a double on the 30, an off day, and then a double on August 1.
Can't wait to get this thing underway!!
... | | By: The Phinsider | | |
| | Quick Bytes: Only four more Tuesdays till Training Camp, edition. | | 2008-06-24 12:31:03 | |
Quick Bytes: The daily digest of everything you need to know about the Jacksonville Jaguars (and other things).Happy Tuesday! I hope you're enjoying the "dead zone" as much as I am. With all this time on their hands, the sportswriters who decide to not go on vacation (I'm talking to you Peter King) tend to start speculating about the 2008 season. Some go as far as Dr. Z did and pick the Vikings to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, which is crazy. Now before we get to the "bytes", there's some stuff in the pipeline for Big Cat Country that you should be aware of. First off, we're going to have a follow-up interview with Quarterback Paul Smith with his thoughts on minicamp, preparing for training camp, and perhaps an insiders perspective on what's shaking at wide receiver. There's also going to be some "meta"-Jaguars discussion with a few of the primary journalists who cover the team.Of course, you're also going to see our breakdown of who makes... | | By: Big Cat Country - An Unoffical Jacksonville Jaguar | | |
| | Training Camp Primer: 5 defensive players I'll be watching closest | | 2008-06-23 23:16:04 | |
Well before I get into my latest "training camp primer," I did just want to highlight an article (actually a blog post) from the Palm Beach Post that talks about how hard of a worker Tony Sparano is. It's a good read and it also provides some info about when training camp will begin for the Dolphins. In the article, Sparano is quoted as saying:
My coaches know right now when we show up July 26, what we’re doing that first day of training camp.
So whether that's the report date or that's the first day of practice, it looks like Saturday, July 26 is a key date for all of us Dolphin fans! Of course, it's also a weekend that I have another wedding to go to, but I guess I'll just have to deal with that issue myself.
Regardless, it seems like we are just over a month away from the start of training camp. So let's talk a little bit more about what we are all going to be watching once camp kicks off. Today, here are 5 players on the defensive side of th... | | By: The Phinsider | | |
| | Training Camp Battles: Khalif Barnes vs. Richard Collier | | 2008-06-18 05:00:01 | |
VS
Training Camp Battles: Left Tackle's Khalif Barnes versus Richard Collier
Introduction:
In this week's incarnation of Training Camp Battles, Collin and I attack the most important position on the Offensive Line, the Left Tackle. Khalif Barnes was the Jaguars second round pick in the 2005 draft. Barnes was projected as a first round talent that fell to the Jaguars in the 2nd round. Pro Football Reference lists Barnes as one of the best Jaguars draft picks of all time , and he offsets the failure of Matt Jones as an early draft pick. Barnes is not without his share of trouble however, his incident with the Jacksonville Sherrifs Department is one of the ugliest to face the franchise. Of course, there was also the incident about his crashing a car into a tree, reporting it stolen, and then changing his story, but that's aside from the point.
One of the under-reported aspects of the Barnes DUI was that it forced the Jaguars to release Khali... | | By: Big Cat Country - An Unoffical Jacksonville Jaguar | | |
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