Camp so far
 

Thoughts from Reiss and Gasper

Reiss:

• Cornerbacks are a pleasant surprise, esp. Bryant
• OL is struggling, probably because Light is out and Kaczur missed early practices
• Defensive pass rush looks strong.

Gasper

• Cornerbacks are a question, unanswered until games start
• Meriweather is a pleasant surprise
• Practices are physical,emphasis on running game

My own thoughts, which are only warmed up hash from reading and listening:
Offensive Line: remains a question on the right side, though my opinion of Kaczur is probably higher than most on this board. The answer to a Giants-style pass rush will be Maroney, Morris, and Jordan. Hence the emphasis on the run.
Front Seven: Wilfork, Seymour, AD are operating on a higher plane. The pass rush will be much better. Seems Mayo will be starting earlier than we thought. Much improved speed in covering the middle.
Cornerbacks: I'm with Reiss on this -- quality depth is more important than a single star. Hobbs/Bryant/Wheatley with fast safeties and LBs makes for a coverage sack on 3rd down. Those long drives against the D will be ending earlier this year.
ILBs and Schemes: Interesting things with Bruschi/T.Williams, Mayo/Hobson. When will Mayo start and who will play beside him?
Quarterbacks: Cassel still throwing too many picks. Preseason games will be telling. Brady-Moss are on a different planet.
Standouts and Pleasant Surprises: Mayo! Bryant, Tank Williams, Meriweather, Woods, Wheatley, Aiken, Slater
Plagued by inconsistency: Watson's hands, Dave Thomas' feet
Need to know more: CJack, Hobson, Crable, the UDFA LBs, Wilhite

Re: Camp so far
 

thanks, but this was posted yesterday. Welcome.

Re: Camp so far
 

Mods, please feel free to merge, didn't see the other thread which Patsox23 so helpfully linked in his welcoming message.

Anyone have any useful comments on the content of the post?

Re: Camp so far
 

I agree we need to hear more about Crable. But I remember hearing some positives. Namely that he's a "physical specimen" and that he has looked pretty good pash rushing.

Re: Camp so far
 

Go to the Training Camp Forum and you'll see plenty about Crable from the Dookfish and myself. Wilfork apparently according to the bloggers is taking The Crab under his wing working with pass rush stunts. Lots of us folks are also impressed with FA LB Guyton, but esp in his case we need to see if he can keep up with the learning curve.

Lots of LB schemes abound in camp. Capers' influence?

Re: Camp so far
 

Re: Camp so far
 

Really good stuff. I haven't been in the habit of clicking on that forum, but I sure will now. You and Dookfish had some great observations. I totally missed these threads and they are gold.

I'm disappointed to hear about Woods, but glad to hear about Crable, and that's without the bulking-up offseason that some (me) have thought he'd need to be effective against NFL-sized players. But then, Jason Taylor (not comparing anything but size) is plenty effective despite being the long and lanky type.

Interesting to hear dookfish's observations on Guyton. People have been saying good things about him. Disappointed to hear about Hobson. I guess we'll have a better idea once the preseason games start.

There's a lot more to those TC threads and I'm going to finish reading them now. Those are the place to go for the scoop on Camp So Far.

Re: Camp so far
 

Don't let ps23 get under your skin.
Just doing his job
as a thorn among roses.

Everybody is talking that the secondary is getting after it a whole bunch more this season. I really have to wonder if the philosophy change in the secondary is due to one or more of the following:

1.) Dom Capers being on board.
2.) A roster that utterly lacks anything even remotely resembling a playmaker in the secondary.
3.) BB sensing these last game collaspes by the defense these last two seasons, is a symptom of a problem or hole in his schemes.
4.) All of the above.

Re: Camp so far
 

I would say Capers, but also a bunch new vet FAs and a couple draft picks for some really spirited and wide-open competition.