OK what a beautiful day today. We couldn't have asked for anything better. TO bad there wasn't a great crowd to enjoy it. There was never a cloud over the entire practice area during all of practice. There also was not a hint of a breeze in teh air either. Which actually made it feel a little warm. Also if you didn't apply sunscreen you were surely in trouble.
Decuse Lutui was again doing "conditioning" work and not practicing. Im guessing on tape they didnt like what they saw in game 1.
Practice today was light with no heavy hitting. Obviously since the game is 2 days away. They started out doing PR practice Only Roberts, PP21 and GASP Chanci Stuckey were returning punts. Stuckey whiffed the first two he attempted to catch badly and tried blaming it on the sun. The sun was in their eyes sure. But neither Roberts or PP21 whiffed on a single catch making them all cleanly.
Again they split into their individual position drills which really don't off a whole lot to the casual fan. Horton was intently watching the LBers during this process however and not the DB's like you would expect. I liked seeing that from the DC. Many in the past would gravitate towards there expertise and spend the most time with them.
Horton also seems to be a genuinely nice guy. If the car story wasn't enough. In between the drills he walked over to the sideline to a couple who were fans sitting their with their dog. Horton looked at them asked them their names and proceeded to engage them in a conversation about their dog. He had about 4 questions and then he waved at them and said thank you as he left the sideline and went back to what he was doing on the field. It was really refreshing to see to be honest with you. I know none of this will make him a great DC. But at least it seems we have a great person. If he turns into a great DC even better.
11 on 11 was next and Kolb was much more accurate today and they were nowhere near as sloppy. Kolb completed his first 2 passes to Fitz and Roberts both on out routes on opposite sides of the field. We all know those 15 to 20 yard outs are supposedly the hardest to throw in football per the experts. Kolb has zero issue with it and gets the ball there with velocity. The throw to Roberts was a little high but Roberts handled it with no problem. The 3rd pass was tipped at the LOS by DD jumping up and waving his arms. That was followed by a nice seem route by beanie who was uncovered and then another tipped ball but this time by Calais Campbell.
2nd team QB Skelton had anice 18 yard completion to Rob Housler who just found the whole and sat in it. I have yet to see the kid drop a pass of any kind.
Agains they broke into PR practice with the same 3 guys fielding punts. However this time I would say that PP21 fielded about 75% of the total punts. Never whiffed on one and looks like a natural doing it. Most PR's seem to catch the ball with the chest and hands. PP catches it much like a pass with his hands and the ball never touches his chest until he tucks it in. Don't know if that's just a practice thing or something he will do all the time.
Back to 11 on 11 which they did ALOT of today. Kolb was sharp again completing another out pattern to Roberts a seem route Doucet(although he would have been sacked by Porter) and then another 20 yard completion to Fitz.
2nd team QB Skelton had the beauty throw of the day with a sideline bomb to Demarco Sampson for an easy score. It was in stride and dropped perfectly in the bread basket. They were letting both Skelton and Bartel run plays and throw with teh first team OL and WR's today. Probably just to give some familiarity in case of injury. During this with Bartel at QB and #1's everywhere else Porter got in for another quick sack on a stunt. Porter by my count would have had 3 sacks today.
Acho again impressed me today Hall completed a sideline pass to #13 Aaron Nichols who turned to run. But Acho who was rushing the passer turned and ran the play down and punched the ball out from behind. Great hustle! On the following play Acho was around the RT and would have had an easy sack. he doesn't look to slow to me. But again this wasn't technically "full contact" even though the lines go at it pretty hard. So who knows.
They broke into 7 on 7 and again were far more sharp today. Kolb completed all of his passe sin the drill save 1 he over threw Larry on at the sideline.
During 7 on 7 the DL vs. OL drill was conducted but at a walk through type of pace so couldn't reall gauge anything whatsoever.
Went back to 11 on 11 and the first play D. Wash fell back into coverage and nearly picked Kolb off on a pass to fitz on a 15 yard curl route. It was just a little to high or he would have had an INT rather than a tip that fell incomplete.
That was followed by 2 hand offs to Beanie who again looked VERY fast to me even on the grass. However Beanie messed up big time on the next play. It was a play action hand-off to beanie that had Kolb turning to the right after leaving center and faking a hand-off to Beanie. Beanie clearly went to the wrong spot and bowled right into Kolb completely leveling him and knocking him off his ass and onto the ground. The crowd, coaches, players everyone cringed. It was an awkward moment waiting for Kolb to bounce back up which he did. You could hear the coach clear as day say "run it again" this time it was done right the play action was smooth and Beanie didnt drill his unsuspecting 63 million dollar QB
Kolb followed that up with a 30 yard laser beam to fitz at the goaline. It was right on the money chest high. (following the redo of the bowling incident obviously)
During a 2nd team O vs. first team D 11 on 11 session Housler caught a beautiful ball from Bartel with Kerry Rhodes draped all over him. The kid really does have some soft hands.
Lastly I wanted to say that two days running Max Hall has been quite accurate even on distance throws. he has looked lie he ha s a lot of MOXIE and has been throwing on target. Today he had a really nice on the money TD from 30 yards out to Skelton (TE) in traffic and another 35 yarder that should have been caught in the sideline endzone by #13. Both throws from that distance in traffic were impressive. Just have to give the kid his credit when he is making some plays.
The ended with some FG work. Which was weird because the goalposts were much smaller than normal. They had a post which looked about as wide as and AFL league width. Never seen them do that before.
Im not a big autograph guy anymore mainly because my oldest son has kind of outgrown it. But it seems the team is becoming increasingly less fan friendly with player interaction as they come to and from the field. I hate to see that. but I can understand it too. I can explain depth a little later. but right now I have to get to my fantasy team. They are calling.
Sorry but only two reports this year. Between divorce and making sure I visited my 91 year old grandmother before anything happens to her there just wasn't enough time!
Oh and Larry said without question he is resigning with the Cards
Decuse Lutui was again doing "conditioning" work and not practicing. Im guessing on tape they didnt like what they saw in game 1.
Practice today was light with no heavy hitting. Obviously since the game is 2 days away. They started out doing PR practice Only Roberts, PP21 and GASP Chanci Stuckey were returning punts. Stuckey whiffed the first two he attempted to catch badly and tried blaming it on the sun. The sun was in their eyes sure. But neither Roberts or PP21 whiffed on a single catch making them all cleanly.
Again they split into their individual position drills which really don't off a whole lot to the casual fan. Horton was intently watching the LBers during this process however and not the DB's like you would expect. I liked seeing that from the DC. Many in the past would gravitate towards there expertise and spend the most time with them.
Horton also seems to be a genuinely nice guy. If the car story wasn't enough. In between the drills he walked over to the sideline to a couple who were fans sitting their with their dog. Horton looked at them asked them their names and proceeded to engage them in a conversation about their dog. He had about 4 questions and then he waved at them and said thank you as he left the sideline and went back to what he was doing on the field. It was really refreshing to see to be honest with you. I know none of this will make him a great DC. But at least it seems we have a great person. If he turns into a great DC even better.
11 on 11 was next and Kolb was much more accurate today and they were nowhere near as sloppy. Kolb completed his first 2 passes to Fitz and Roberts both on out routes on opposite sides of the field. We all know those 15 to 20 yard outs are supposedly the hardest to throw in football per the experts. Kolb has zero issue with it and gets the ball there with velocity. The throw to Roberts was a little high but Roberts handled it with no problem. The 3rd pass was tipped at the LOS by DD jumping up and waving his arms. That was followed by a nice seem route by beanie who was uncovered and then another tipped ball but this time by Calais Campbell.
2nd team QB Skelton had anice 18 yard completion to Rob Housler who just found the whole and sat in it. I have yet to see the kid drop a pass of any kind.
Agains they broke into PR practice with the same 3 guys fielding punts. However this time I would say that PP21 fielded about 75% of the total punts. Never whiffed on one and looks like a natural doing it. Most PR's seem to catch the ball with the chest and hands. PP catches it much like a pass with his hands and the ball never touches his chest until he tucks it in. Don't know if that's just a practice thing or something he will do all the time.
Back to 11 on 11 which they did ALOT of today. Kolb was sharp again completing another out pattern to Roberts a seem route Doucet(although he would have been sacked by Porter) and then another 20 yard completion to Fitz.
2nd team QB Skelton had the beauty throw of the day with a sideline bomb to Demarco Sampson for an easy score. It was in stride and dropped perfectly in the bread basket. They were letting both Skelton and Bartel run plays and throw with teh first team OL and WR's today. Probably just to give some familiarity in case of injury. During this with Bartel at QB and #1's everywhere else Porter got in for another quick sack on a stunt. Porter by my count would have had 3 sacks today.
Acho again impressed me today Hall completed a sideline pass to #13 Aaron Nichols who turned to run. But Acho who was rushing the passer turned and ran the play down and punched the ball out from behind. Great hustle! On the following play Acho was around the RT and would have had an easy sack. he doesn't look to slow to me. But again this wasn't technically "full contact" even though the lines go at it pretty hard. So who knows.
They broke into 7 on 7 and again were far more sharp today. Kolb completed all of his passe sin the drill save 1 he over threw Larry on at the sideline.
During 7 on 7 the DL vs. OL drill was conducted but at a walk through type of pace so couldn't reall gauge anything whatsoever.
Went back to 11 on 11 and the first play D. Wash fell back into coverage and nearly picked Kolb off on a pass to fitz on a 15 yard curl route. It was just a little to high or he would have had an INT rather than a tip that fell incomplete.
That was followed by 2 hand offs to Beanie who again looked VERY fast to me even on the grass. However Beanie messed up big time on the next play. It was a play action hand-off to beanie that had Kolb turning to the right after leaving center and faking a hand-off to Beanie. Beanie clearly went to the wrong spot and bowled right into Kolb completely leveling him and knocking him off his ass and onto the ground. The crowd, coaches, players everyone cringed. It was an awkward moment waiting for Kolb to bounce back up which he did. You could hear the coach clear as day say "run it again" this time it was done right the play action was smooth and Beanie didnt drill his unsuspecting 63 million dollar QB
Kolb followed that up with a 30 yard laser beam to fitz at the goaline. It was right on the money chest high. (following the redo of the bowling incident obviously)
During a 2nd team O vs. first team D 11 on 11 session Housler caught a beautiful ball from Bartel with Kerry Rhodes draped all over him. The kid really does have some soft hands.
Lastly I wanted to say that two days running Max Hall has been quite accurate even on distance throws. he has looked lie he ha s a lot of MOXIE and has been throwing on target. Today he had a really nice on the money TD from 30 yards out to Skelton (TE) in traffic and another 35 yarder that should have been caught in the sideline endzone by #13. Both throws from that distance in traffic were impressive. Just have to give the kid his credit when he is making some plays.
The ended with some FG work. Which was weird because the goalposts were much smaller than normal. They had a post which looked about as wide as and AFL league width. Never seen them do that before.
Im not a big autograph guy anymore mainly because my oldest son has kind of outgrown it. But it seems the team is becoming increasingly less fan friendly with player interaction as they come to and from the field. I hate to see that. but I can understand it too. I can explain depth a little later. but right now I have to get to my fantasy team. They are calling.
Sorry but only two reports this year. Between divorce and making sure I visited my 91 year old grandmother before anything happens to her there just wasn't enough time!
Oh and Larry said without question he is resigning with the Cards
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