red desert
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Large crowd, but not really larger than anything I saw last season. The fans were, however, more vocal than I remember. As a whole, they seemed more invested in what was going on on the field. That may have helped set the tone of the practice which was workmanlike and exciting at the same time.
Truth is, it didn't feel like first practice at all. This practice was focused, organized an professional. The timing of the entire team was that of a team nearing the end of training camp. It really was different than what I have witnessed in years past. This is a team acting like a super bowl contender. There is a palpable air of confidence among the players, coaches, and yes, even fans. So this is how it's supposed to be.
It's an amazing thing really.
Anytime Fitz made a catch, and he made plenty, there were cheers and hoots, and in my case, goosbumps, as I watched him sprint all the way to the goal line. Only this time we wouldn't have to sit by and watch helplessly as a soul-less team in black marched back the other way to score the winning td.
Perhaps we really can finally turn the page and move on.
I watched the defensive line drills for a while and liked what I saw. Very much. Branch, as has been stated already, looks fantastic. And he is moving well. As is Watson and Robinson. I got a look at our 3 man front (Cambell - Watson - Dockett) and they already look to be in mid-season form. The guys look stout. Cambell particularly looks to have significantly improved his form off the blocks. And yes, he's still huge.
DRC looks to have grown a bit more into his body. And although this is only his second season, he appears to have assumed somewhat of a leadership role. Just the way he talks to his teammates is telling. Now that I think of it, I don't recall seeing Rolle out there. Maybe I just missed him. I'll look for him this afternoon.
On offense, tons of great things happening out there.
Warner, on target with all of his throws. Leinart, while I don't recall him making bone headed plays, I also don't recall doing anything to turn heads.
The other 2 guys, St. P an Palko were pedestrian in the throwing drills I saw.
Lance Long is a good reciever and made some good catches, but the poor guy keeps getting outdone by the big 3, and Urban, who made a couple of great catches in traffic today. Doucet, same thing. Guy is good, but he just can't seem to draw enough attention to himself to break into the top 4. What a great problem for a team to have.
Fitz caught everything thrown his way, in spectacular fashion it seemed like.
Fitz is beautiful.
He is Muhammad Ali. He is Secretariet. He is Ted Williams swinging a bat. He is Michael Jordan taking off from the free throw line arm extended upwards, ball in hand, with his tongue sticking out the corner of his mouth.
Beautiful.
Q was there and solid. But he wasn't Fitz. Not today anyway.
On the other hand, Breaston was a number one receiver out there today. On any other team, that's what he would be. He looks to have added a few pounds of muscle as well. And today he was involved in the play of the day, even though he didn't catch the ball.
Breaston took off on a deep and in agains Drc (much like the one DeSean beat him on) and before you knew it, he had a step or two on DRC.
Amazing.
Unfortunately, Warner overthrew the ball. That's the play that someone else (urban?) mentioned the offense ran into the d-line training session. That one got the crowd fired up.
If DRC has taken a step towards manhood, Breaston has arrived in spectacular fashion. These two guys are flat out studs.
Spach looked good. Becht made a solid grab and took it up the middle of the field. Big dude, Becht is.
If today's practice is any indication of what we are packing in the backfield, ladies and gentlemen, I submit to you that our running woes are over.
Timmy is a grown ass man. Due respect to Q.
He walks around, and practices, with the aura of a starter in the National Football League. Seriously folks, Beanie better get his ass into camp because Mr. Hightower came to play. He continues to run with authority and knows when and at what speed to hit those holes.
Any surprises this first day? Heck yes. Two.
Jason Wright - WOW! Who the hell is this guy? I knew nothing about him when we signed him, and I must confess that i still don't. But you can bet I'll be reading up on him tonight. Physically, he is a Marcel Shipp clone. Only Jason is a heck of a lot more explosive (he's there with Timmy on that). And I would venture to guess that he might have more straightline down field speed that Hightower. Wright looked very good. Good enough to be a starter in the league. I know some of you folks have pimped him, please, keep it up, because he looked great.
I made it a point to intercept him on his way in after practice to tell him how impressive he looked. Solid dude, who really appreciated the compliment. I told him the way he looked out there, we should see 10 tds from his this season. Okay, even he was shocked by my progostication. He gave me a thumbs up as he walked away. I like this guy.
Second surprise.
One LaRod Stephens-Howling. While he is small, he is not tiny. Superfast kid. Significantly bigger than Sproles, and just as fast. Folks, we got us a gem in this kid. He found the running lanes out there today. And on one particular short pass, he blew by everyone down the sideline.
Our running game is going to be so much better.
Also, thought i saw Cody Brown blow past elton brown for a would be sack on warner in one of the 11 on 11 drills. Not a bad start.
i'll try and post my observations about this afternoon's practice after i get back from having some fish tacos at San Felipe's in Old Town Flagstaff.
Peace-
Truth is, it didn't feel like first practice at all. This practice was focused, organized an professional. The timing of the entire team was that of a team nearing the end of training camp. It really was different than what I have witnessed in years past. This is a team acting like a super bowl contender. There is a palpable air of confidence among the players, coaches, and yes, even fans. So this is how it's supposed to be.
It's an amazing thing really.
Anytime Fitz made a catch, and he made plenty, there were cheers and hoots, and in my case, goosbumps, as I watched him sprint all the way to the goal line. Only this time we wouldn't have to sit by and watch helplessly as a soul-less team in black marched back the other way to score the winning td.
Perhaps we really can finally turn the page and move on.
I watched the defensive line drills for a while and liked what I saw. Very much. Branch, as has been stated already, looks fantastic. And he is moving well. As is Watson and Robinson. I got a look at our 3 man front (Cambell - Watson - Dockett) and they already look to be in mid-season form. The guys look stout. Cambell particularly looks to have significantly improved his form off the blocks. And yes, he's still huge.
DRC looks to have grown a bit more into his body. And although this is only his second season, he appears to have assumed somewhat of a leadership role. Just the way he talks to his teammates is telling. Now that I think of it, I don't recall seeing Rolle out there. Maybe I just missed him. I'll look for him this afternoon.
On offense, tons of great things happening out there.
Warner, on target with all of his throws. Leinart, while I don't recall him making bone headed plays, I also don't recall doing anything to turn heads.
The other 2 guys, St. P an Palko were pedestrian in the throwing drills I saw.
Lance Long is a good reciever and made some good catches, but the poor guy keeps getting outdone by the big 3, and Urban, who made a couple of great catches in traffic today. Doucet, same thing. Guy is good, but he just can't seem to draw enough attention to himself to break into the top 4. What a great problem for a team to have.
Fitz caught everything thrown his way, in spectacular fashion it seemed like.
Fitz is beautiful.
He is Muhammad Ali. He is Secretariet. He is Ted Williams swinging a bat. He is Michael Jordan taking off from the free throw line arm extended upwards, ball in hand, with his tongue sticking out the corner of his mouth.
Beautiful.
Q was there and solid. But he wasn't Fitz. Not today anyway.
On the other hand, Breaston was a number one receiver out there today. On any other team, that's what he would be. He looks to have added a few pounds of muscle as well. And today he was involved in the play of the day, even though he didn't catch the ball.
Breaston took off on a deep and in agains Drc (much like the one DeSean beat him on) and before you knew it, he had a step or two on DRC.
Amazing.
Unfortunately, Warner overthrew the ball. That's the play that someone else (urban?) mentioned the offense ran into the d-line training session. That one got the crowd fired up.
If DRC has taken a step towards manhood, Breaston has arrived in spectacular fashion. These two guys are flat out studs.
Spach looked good. Becht made a solid grab and took it up the middle of the field. Big dude, Becht is.
If today's practice is any indication of what we are packing in the backfield, ladies and gentlemen, I submit to you that our running woes are over.
Timmy is a grown ass man. Due respect to Q.
He walks around, and practices, with the aura of a starter in the National Football League. Seriously folks, Beanie better get his ass into camp because Mr. Hightower came to play. He continues to run with authority and knows when and at what speed to hit those holes.Any surprises this first day? Heck yes. Two.
Jason Wright - WOW! Who the hell is this guy? I knew nothing about him when we signed him, and I must confess that i still don't. But you can bet I'll be reading up on him tonight. Physically, he is a Marcel Shipp clone. Only Jason is a heck of a lot more explosive (he's there with Timmy on that). And I would venture to guess that he might have more straightline down field speed that Hightower. Wright looked very good. Good enough to be a starter in the league. I know some of you folks have pimped him, please, keep it up, because he looked great.
I made it a point to intercept him on his way in after practice to tell him how impressive he looked. Solid dude, who really appreciated the compliment. I told him the way he looked out there, we should see 10 tds from his this season. Okay, even he was shocked by my progostication. He gave me a thumbs up as he walked away. I like this guy.
Second surprise.
One LaRod Stephens-Howling. While he is small, he is not tiny. Superfast kid. Significantly bigger than Sproles, and just as fast. Folks, we got us a gem in this kid. He found the running lanes out there today. And on one particular short pass, he blew by everyone down the sideline.
Our running game is going to be so much better.
Also, thought i saw Cody Brown blow past elton brown for a would be sack on warner in one of the 11 on 11 drills. Not a bad start.
i'll try and post my observations about this afternoon's practice after i get back from having some fish tacos at San Felipe's in Old Town Flagstaff.
Peace-
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