Redheart Day's; #3

[Redheart]

Monday, 8/11/08 3:05-5:15 PM

The weather looks like it is going to cooperate and let the second practice happen outdoors. I am a little early this afternoon, but in good shape as I find a parking space right in front of the walkway; 50 yards and I am sitting at the picnic table and starting to pound keys.

No horn yet…the defense is running loose plays on the right; I keep hearing “Red 88, Red 88”. The team is in helmets, pads and shorts.

Meanwhile the DB’s breakout into drills right in front of me. It is in my nature to be a little lazy so why look elsewhere. Lots of back-peddling drills transitioning into a break and full speed run. The drill switches to a hard right turn, then left break…the two quickest in these drills seem to be #20 (Ralph Brown) and #29 (DRC).

The drills continue for the DB’s; they run some of the most fun drills, lots of laughing and having fun. Mostly these fun drills have to do with the coach throwing them the ball in unusual conditions…like they are facing the other way and the coach loops it in the air and they have to turn, find it, and get before it hits the ground.

Next they move to fade routes, no helmets, everyone knows when and where and the DB tracks the receiver until the last second leap and swat. Lots of hooting.

HONK. STs on the left field; working on the kick-receiving team. Steve Breaston takes two kicks, JJ takes one, and Jerheme Urban takes one, now JJ again. Now Sean Morey, and now DRC! One more for DRC…and he looks really good doing it!

The drill looks much better than last year, not so much yelling by the coach, more drills getting done. DRC takes one and ….muffs it. It bounces well and he picks it up almost with out loss. Urban next, and now JJ. LOL! I just noticed that Rackers is running the ball-machine. He is aiming them like he would in a game!

HONK. Light running sideline to sideline; the fields look in really good shape it is in the low 70’s and partly cloudy. No real big thunder heads are in sight so we should be able to have a great practice. Stretching continues now. Note: I am really starting to like Haggans; mostly it is the haircut, at least for now…he does look mean.

They now moving into group drills; the DB and Safeties are right in front of me again. Now they break out the safeties. Rolle, Wilson, Celestin, Keyes, and Francisco. The drill they are running looks to involve the hand-off in zone coverage; as the “threat” player moves from middle to deep coverage the transition from one safety to another takes. Nothing to say but it looks like Keyes should hope to make a the practice squad.

Injury view: I can see Rolle (ankle), Doucet, and Beisel running the little hill on the left Re-hab is work in Whiz’s camp. Al Johnson is lying down in front of me, kind of raising his leg and holding it. Watson is riding the bike and working up a sweat.

HONK. Back to STs; doing kick-receiving drills again. Breaston is first following the wedge to the left. Next is JJ, looking to set up a middle return, it is aborted and coached before it is done. They repeat and get it off this time. This drill lets you see the wedge form and then open a “window” for the runner. The timing is really tough, but when it happens right in front of you, you can see the touchdown lane pop open. The drill moves from smaller details to full team and full speed, no hard contact. Rackers is kicking. Breaston make a really nice return through the middle. Followed by DRC on the left. Rackers kicks the next out of bounds and Breaston finishes with a short return on the left.

HONK. Oh boy, first team lines, RB’s, and LB’s going at it. They are hitting pretty good. Edge takes a run off of right tackle, nice gain for 5. The next one he busts up the middle, a huge hole. I am now watching only Branch. Sendlein gets under him and contols him. The O is double teaming him. Branch runs hard in pursuit of Hightower but is left choking on dust. Not a good showing, seems all the center / guard combo’s were moving him around.

HONK. Eleven on eleven; Kurt goes first and overthrows Tim Castille. Next is a screen to Hightower that looks pretty good, for about 10 yards. Next a snap throw to Rector for about 5 yards. Matt comes in is promptly swarmed, would have been sacked, but throws a pick to Halloway instead. Next is a draw to Edge and he is off to the races on the left side. Branch is in and he locks up with Keith…Keith looks good.

Move to the far side of the fields and switch directions. St. Pierre runs to plays and ends up running on both plays.

Kurt is next and fires a completion to Larry. He likes it so much, he does it again on the next play on a inside route. Kurt gets swarmed and would have been sacked, instead he throws a deep one to Rector for a TD.

HONK. O line vs. D line right in front of me. These are the big boys and they are clashing. Dockett and Lutui, it is a good match but Lutui is pushed back. Berry gets locked up by Keith, Chike blasts wide around the RT. Branch punishes a center. Elton brown is doing really good, has not been beat yet. Campbell shows a nice spinning move followed by a pull on the Guard that gets him quickly to the ball. Smith shoots around Kelly Butler. Keith shuts down Chike again! Hercules Satele is listed as a guard but getting a lot of practice snaps at center…and looking pretty good.

HONK. I hear Whiz yell, “Stay strong, now lets go”. It is a long practice and we are in the last half-hour. Eleven on Eleven and they are going at it. JJ takes a hand-off for a big gain off the left. Matt drops back has all day and over-throws the receiver on the right out of bounds. Matt follows by a snap throw to Boldin who makes to nifty moves to break it on the left side. St. Pierre hands to Hightower who bounces it to the outside right and lights the after-burners. St. Pierre rolls back to the left and flips a completion to Timmy. Morelli comes in and throws the first pick of the drill, Travarous Bain gets the prize and runs to endzone to shouts of glee from the defense. Kurt throw a crossing route completion to Breaston…who would have been decapitated by EG if it was live. Matt throws short to Merrit, incomplete. Matt completes the next one on the right to Morey, he might have been sacked on that one.

HONK. Offense on the left, Defense on the left; the Offense is running a neat drill, basically coming to formation snapping the ball and then running the play to the next spot further up the field. The O is broken into 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams, each follows the team in front of them. They make it all the way down the field in a series of about 8 plays, then turn around and make it back down the field. By the time they finish, everyone is gassed. I notice the conditioning work seems to be stronger this year. Not an easy camp.

HONK. That it, breaking up into the cool-down and stretching.

Enjoy and more tomorrow.

 

[SuperSpck]

Great report, thanks!

 

[Duckjake]

The team is in helmets, pads and shorts.

Oh boy, first team lines, RB’s, and LB’s going at it. They are hitting pretty good.

How do they get at it without full pads? I've never been to camp on a day where they scrimmaged in hps. Would be interesting to watch.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Thanks for the update. Great info.

Sounds like ML is off target too much. He needs to show much more improvement IMO if he is to lead our team. The game speed decisions and/or lack of will determine who starts. Or it should. KW needs to get a fair shot at starting.

 

[Skkorpion]

Thanks again. Good stuff.

Are there fewer fans there this week, now that Arizona schools are back in session?

 

[Redheart]

How do they get at it without full pads? I've never been to camp on a day where they scrimmaged in hps. Would be interesting to watch.

It seems that they keep the hits above the waist, nothing down low; but even with that, you can get some very impressive collisions when both sides seem to be looking for it.

 

[Redheart]

Thanks again. Good stuff.

Are there fewer fans there this week, now that Arizona schools are back in session?

Yes Skorp, you are dead on. Much fewer fans, getting around the team is no problem. All in all, a great time to be here.

I am not much into the autograph thing, I do have a few with AW's rookie season signature alone on a penent being my prize, but now would be a good time to be getting autographs; the line this morning were less than twenty feet long.

 

[bigredjane]

thanks redheart-

realy enjoying your camp diary, would love to be there also!

 

[black]

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Thanks as always

 

[English on tour]

nice read - cheers mate

 

[Totally_Red]

Thx. Nice detailed report.

 

[Garthshort]

Redheart, I know it's not a game, but only a series of practices, but when your stay is over, I would love to read your take on the guys who've impressed you. Maybe an A Group, and a B Group. Thanks for all your hard work.

 

[cgolden]

How do they get at it without full pads? I've never been to camp on a day where they scrimmaged in hps. Would be interesting to watch.

It seems that they keep the hits above the waist, nothing down low; but even with that, you can get some very impressive collisions when both sides seem to be looking for it.

I've heard about alot of teams going to this 'shorts and shoulder pads' practice. I heard the hated Cowboys' coach Wade Phillips asked about it and he said they just don't cut block but that most skill position players (mainly WRs, CBs, and Safeties) don't wear the hip and thigh pads anyways so it's not much different than a full pad practice.

 

[MrYeahBut]

Thanks for watching Branch for me. I remain pessimistic after your report.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Thanks for the update. Great info.

Sounds like ML is off target too much. He needs to show much more improvement IMO if he is to lead our team. The game speed decisions and/or lack of will determine who starts. Or it should. KW needs to get a fair shot at starting.

Someone has an AGENDA...........

Every report is not going to be glowing and by and large everyone who doesn't have Warner love screwing up their head knows that Matt is playing and playing well both in camp and in the one preseason game.

So to let you know we hear you. Now take off the Warner jersey and take a cold shower

 

[moklerman]

Someone has an AGENDA...........

So does someone else...

 

[Arizona's Finest]

So does someone else...

Listen Mokler do I want Matt to win this job convincingly and be our QB for the next ten years? Hell yes.

Have I loved the kid since his days as a sophmore at SC when he came back from injury and led his team to a win in Tempe? Sure do.

Was it the cosmix galaxy shining down on me when he fell to #10 and my favorite team drafted him? Yup

But I would be telling you if he was crapping the bed and looked like horse crap in that preseason game. I would be telling you if all national reports and most of the day to day reports were less then stellar opposed to what they have been.

He's doing well and I'm damn excited about it. And I think anyone who doesn't see that has the Warner colored glasses on.

Even if Kurt Warner is your dad - if you are a Cards fan - you should be pulling for him too. And fortunately he is making it easy on us by looking like the QB we all need him to be.

You came here as a Warner fan - not a Cardinal fan - so I understand your interests. But as I have repeated ad nauseum there are many real reasons why Leinart is the better QB for this team.

And fortunately for all but about 5-6 on this board hes taking it by the reigns. I am convinced that the people who don't like Leinart are the old fogies who don't like his lifestyle and don't think he takes the game seriously.

I think your wrong. And I think he is going to prove all season long......

 

[moklerman]

Listen Mokler do I want Matt to win this job convincingly and be our QB for the next ten years? Hell yes.

I don't begrudge you that. Your approach and hypocrisy are what I was commenting about.

Many feel that Leinart will offer production that is comparable to what Warner might provide and thus give the Cardinals just as good, or a better chance to win. All of that is debatable and I've enjoyed and participated in my fair share of them. I understand and agree with many of the ideas offered by posters that support Leinart but I don't agree with the approach that someone who supports Warner starting is somehow delusional or lusting for him.

Every report is not going to be glowing and by and large everyone who doesn't have Warner love screwing up their head knows that Matt is playing and playing well both in camp and in the one preseason game.

...in particular, this point you make which was inspired by less than positive reports and reaction of Leinart's accuracy and apparent inconsistency in camp. I also noticed the report that he was having another day where his passes weren't on the money and, although I'm probably too focused on each individual report of camp situations, there have been numerous one's by various fan perspectives that Leinart hasn't consistently or often looked sharp in practice.

His good days are outnumbered by his bad days from what I've read. Some of us backing Warner as the starter have noticed this and think it worth consideration. Those backing Leinart seem to disregard it in general as "it's just practice". I don't think they're crazy or in need of "a cold shower".

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I don't begrudge you that. Your approach and hypocrisy are what I was commenting about.

Many feel that Leinart will offer production that is comparable to what Warner might provide and thus give the Cardinals just as good, or a better chance to win. All of that is debatable and I've enjoyed and participated in my fair share of them. I understand and agree with many of the ideas offered by posters that support Leinart but I don't agree with the approach that someone who supports Warner starting is somehow delusional or lusting for him.
...in particular, this point you make which was inspired by less than positive reports and reaction of Leinart's accuracy and apparent inconsistency in camp. I also noticed the report that he was having another day where his passes weren't on the money and, although I'm probably too focused on each individual report of camp situations, there have been numerous one's by various fan perspectives that Leinart hasn't consistently or often looked sharp in practice.

His good days are outnumbered by his bad days from what I've read. Some of us backing Warner as the starter have noticed this and think it worth consideration. Those backing Leinart seem to disregard it in general as "it's just practice". I don't think they're crazy or in need of "a cold shower".

I haven been counting but the reports out of ASFN I would say the slight majority has said Matt has had the majority of better days then Kurt during TC. Lets also keep in mind these are fans watching as well who have bias and are watching many different things from a far view point. I am not saying they are wrong but that has to be taken into account. Just the same for positive Leinart notes look at Redhearts #2 and Shanes postings after the intial 2. There have been other glowing reports from both Kent Somers and Jim Trotter about Matt in TC.

Based on the Preseason game I have heard plaudits from Ron Jaworski, Kent Somers, Darren Urban, Scott Bordow, Peter King, John Clayton, and Mark Schelerth.

Not to mention Ken Wisenhunt - the defacto voice.

My take is your hearing what you want to hear.

 

[moklerman]

My take is your hearing what you want to hear.

I think you're missing my point entirely. I'm not going to argue the accuracy or validity of these camp reports because it would only sully the generous offerings given by those lucky enough to go to camp and take the time to share their observations. I think we all realize they are subjective but even you concede that Leinart's reports have been about 50/50 at best. I think it's a little heavier on the shaky side but I certainly have no interest in counting up and interpreting what was meant in all the previous reports.

BUT, the point remains that the fan reports have differed in flavor to the "professional" reports and I tend to think that the fans who are there are giving a far less generic assessment of the day to day stuff. None of which, IMO, warrants the derogatory, man-love themed comments that you've given to those who support Warner.

Basically, all any of us can do is wait until Warner gets a chance to play again to see if there's any kind of marked difference in what he and Leinart are doing at this point in their careers. Leinart's first game was a good start for him but I thought it was very safe by design. Not "real". It isn't Leinart's fault but that game didn't really show me anything different than I saw from last preseason and we all know the struggles that ensued. While some were encouraged by his performance, the book is still out on him for me which means that Warner still can win the job. A person can survive falling out of a plane without a parachute, too but it is possible. If Leinart really keeps pace or outperforms Warner, then he is the obvious choice to start the season as the #1. No one can argue the age difference and possible remainder of career advantage that Leinart has but if he struggles or the offense is stagnant, I think it's only fair to let Warner try and continue where he left off last year.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I think you're missing my point entirely. I'm not going to argue the accuracy or validity of these camp reports because it would only sully the generous offerings given by those lucky enough to go to camp and take the time to share their observations. I think we all realize they are subjective but even you concede that Leinart's reports have been about 50/50 at best. I think it's a little heavier on the shaky side but I certainly have no interest in counting up and interpreting what was meant in all the previous reports.

BUT, the point remains that the fan reports have differed in flavor to the "professional" reports and I tend to think that the fans who are there are giving a far less generic assessment of the day to day stuff. None of which, IMO, warrants the derogatory, man-love themed comments that you've given to those who support Warner.

Basically, all any of us can do is wait until Warner gets a chance to play again to see if there's any kind of marked difference in what he and Leinart are doing at this point in their careers. Leinart's first game was a good start for him but I thought it was very safe by design. Not "real". It isn't Leinart's fault but that game didn't really show me anything different than I saw from last preseason and we all know the struggles that ensued. While some were encouraged by his performance, the book is still out on him for me which means that Warner still can win the job. A person can survive falling out of a plane without a parachute, too but it is possible. If Leinart really keeps pace or outperforms Warner, then he is the obvious choice to start the season as the #1. No one can argue the age difference and possible remainder of career advantage that Leinart has but if he struggles or the offense is stagnant, I think it's only fair to let Warner try and continue where he left off last year.

We agree on all but one key point. I could care less if we have a high powered offense and are losing games 42-35.

I want to WIN. And I think - so far - Leinart gives us this chance.

Now if it proves out that Warner is the better guy for us to win...then im all for benching Matt. But I don't yet think thats the case.

 

[moklerman]

We agree on all but one key point. I could care less if we have a high powered offense and are losing games 42-35.

Wouldn't that have more to do with the defense giving up 42 points?