I had the pleasure of watching several practices in person. If you want to know how good the team will be this year, I can’t tell you that from watching practice. I don’t think you can even tell much from the pre-season games but that is next week’s commentary. If you want to know who will make the final 53, I can’t tell you that either. There are several things that did stand out to me however.
The fan support will be there this year if the team is successful. I won’t predict the effect that stumbling early could have because I don’t want to see it. The fans in Flagstaff covered the whole spectrum of passion. Sure, some people were there to enjoy the weather, but most were knowledgeable. The amount of red in the parking lots and around the fields was impressive. I believe that many people who had been to camp irregularly in the past made the trip this year. They aren’t new fans, it’s their motivation that has increased. Many had young kids screaming for the players and team. I missed the intimacy a little bit, but I wouldn’t trade what we have now for anything.
Practices were orderly and professional.
On the injury front, Becht and Kreider both practiced Monday.
LaRod Stephens-Howling has been getting a lot of reps since Wells is still out, but does not look secure catching punts.
Rashad Johnson does have a knack for reading a play and being near the ball.
Greg Toler is getting schooled by all of our WRs. I did see DRC talking to either Toler or McFadden frequently.
Herman “House” Johnson is huge-and so is his hair.
Francisco has been getting a lot of reps at Strong Safety with the second string and sometimes with the first string.
All of the receivers look good, including Gant and Jones. Urban stands out for size and confidence.
I don’t think the depth chart will change much until after Thursday’s game. Until then, rookies are last.
Melvin Fowler acts like the old-pro that he is. He talks a lot to the other vets and was good with signing autographs although I doubt many people knew who number 50 was. (I told him “welcome to the team, we’re glad to have you”)
I saw Breaston, Rolle, Garvin and LSH receiving punts. Breaston is the surest handed by far.
Evaluating performance is difficult without real hitting. The Tight Ends are a good example of that. I will say that Patrick looks good. Byrd has good hands. Spach is practicing with serious intensity. I have nothing negative to say about what I saw from Pope and I only saw a little of Becht.
Everyone watched the QBs a lot. For me it was mostly for entertainment. If Palko can make game-time decisions I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in Flagstaff again next year.
I was right about wearing sunscreen or finding shade. (I brought my own shade Monday, check out the tarp!)
The fan support will be there this year if the team is successful. I won’t predict the effect that stumbling early could have because I don’t want to see it. The fans in Flagstaff covered the whole spectrum of passion. Sure, some people were there to enjoy the weather, but most were knowledgeable. The amount of red in the parking lots and around the fields was impressive. I believe that many people who had been to camp irregularly in the past made the trip this year. They aren’t new fans, it’s their motivation that has increased. Many had young kids screaming for the players and team. I missed the intimacy a little bit, but I wouldn’t trade what we have now for anything.
Practices were orderly and professional.
On the injury front, Becht and Kreider both practiced Monday.
LaRod Stephens-Howling has been getting a lot of reps since Wells is still out, but does not look secure catching punts.
Rashad Johnson does have a knack for reading a play and being near the ball.
Greg Toler is getting schooled by all of our WRs. I did see DRC talking to either Toler or McFadden frequently.
Herman “House” Johnson is huge-and so is his hair.
Francisco has been getting a lot of reps at Strong Safety with the second string and sometimes with the first string.
All of the receivers look good, including Gant and Jones. Urban stands out for size and confidence.
I don’t think the depth chart will change much until after Thursday’s game. Until then, rookies are last.
Melvin Fowler acts like the old-pro that he is. He talks a lot to the other vets and was good with signing autographs although I doubt many people knew who number 50 was. (I told him “welcome to the team, we’re glad to have you”)
I saw Breaston, Rolle, Garvin and LSH receiving punts. Breaston is the surest handed by far.
Evaluating performance is difficult without real hitting. The Tight Ends are a good example of that. I will say that Patrick looks good. Byrd has good hands. Spach is practicing with serious intensity. I have nothing negative to say about what I saw from Pope and I only saw a little of Becht.
Everyone watched the QBs a lot. For me it was mostly for entertainment. If Palko can make game-time decisions I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in Flagstaff again next year.
I was right about wearing sunscreen or finding shade. (I brought my own shade Monday, check out the tarp!)
