PP2
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Again, all observations off the top of my head without benefit of replay, so please excuse any errors or misperception I may have made here.
A big portion of yesterday was devoted to offense installation, first with no huddle which Hogan appeared to have difficulty with. He had to be coached into proper alignment and then route (both times by Edelman, which just drives home how important he is to this offense).
I found it significant that Brady started off, and started with the 1st string which tells me he is starting Thursday night and will play a significant amount of snaps (and Garo will play all of the 3rd game as is custom of starting QB’s).
Now, without betraying too much specifics per camp request, I saw several interesting plays, one included Bennett at HB aligned WS in shotgun and releasing either for lateral pass or wheel route. I continue to be very impressed with Bennett’s mastery of the offense to this point. He has a very high football IQ. I have yet to see him commit an error, either alignment or route-wise. He is all over the field which is going to represent a major headache for opposing DC’s. If he aligns in the backfield, that pulls a linebacker out of space and forces him to the line. Opens up the field for crossing routes. There was also a Gronk/Bennett stack.
Then there was an interesting drill where installation focused on OL getting to 2nd level and finding their man to block. What made this drill so interesting was that the DL was actually formed with OL personnel, and I’m guessing part of this drill was to make the OL experience this from a defensive perspective- shadowing the RB by judging OL tendencies (and thereby learning how to cover up their own). There was also some regular OL vs. DL 2nd level run blocking work. I guess this was an area BB found lacking and felt the need to improve. The OL continues to be up and down (unlike what I observed the first time) and part of this, I suspect, and as the PS game showed, is that it is still being “De-guggyified” and there’s quite a bit of work to do.
At this point the heat was starting to work on everyone- Bolden, Washington, and one other player pulled up, got gimpy- thankfully nothing major. Long really has a sense of humor- he was actually wearing a sweatshirt under his practice jersey. Could easily have had a heat stroke, but- he didn’t seem affected by the 105 degree heat index.
There was also plenty of ST work done, and Scott O’Brien’s attendance was, IMO, no accident. There obviously was something that really had to be worked on because BB was all over with the ST units when the three units broke up for their own drills.
I know there are those that are concerned about Cyrus Jones bobbling a few catches and I had an opportunity to watch him closely and it’s quite frankly just a case of your classic “running before catching the ball” which he should get over once he settles down. He is just too anxious to demonstrate his talent and speed.
Gost, thankfully was back to form, making all his kicks.
It was also funny to watch Slater smoke Crevon Leblanc who was in gunner coverage. You could see him stand there going “what?” after Slater pulled a roadrunner on him (think a puff of smoke, and a blur going down the field). Welcome to the NFL, kid.
Then quite a bit of situational football- my favorite part of watching camp. You learn a lot from these, and from the players and how they react to stressful situations.
More no huddle, more difficulties with Hogan. Misaligned twice, once on the line (should have been on it as there were only 6) and Brady overthrew him which made me think he executed in error and this was confirmed when Brady went over and discussed the route with him.
I think Washington is good as cut because he keeps making small errors, bad route, bad recognition, dropped pass, and a false start to boot it all. This sent him on a lap around the field and Edelman ran in to sub without being asked, and BB waved him off and put in Carter. This sent Edelman back to the sideline cussing. Anthony Johnson also got a false start on defense and went for a lap.
I also honestly think this is the end of the line for Dobson. He still doesn’t fight for the ball, doesn’t fight for leverage. If he loses leverage, he will pull the plug on the play, simple as that. This isn’t anything new. He may or may not make the roster simply on the basis that “something is better than nothing.” But one thing is fairly clear at this point, there is going to be no “breakout” anything for Dobson. This is as good as he is going to get.
(con't in another post)
A big portion of yesterday was devoted to offense installation, first with no huddle which Hogan appeared to have difficulty with. He had to be coached into proper alignment and then route (both times by Edelman, which just drives home how important he is to this offense).
I found it significant that Brady started off, and started with the 1st string which tells me he is starting Thursday night and will play a significant amount of snaps (and Garo will play all of the 3rd game as is custom of starting QB’s).
Now, without betraying too much specifics per camp request, I saw several interesting plays, one included Bennett at HB aligned WS in shotgun and releasing either for lateral pass or wheel route. I continue to be very impressed with Bennett’s mastery of the offense to this point. He has a very high football IQ. I have yet to see him commit an error, either alignment or route-wise. He is all over the field which is going to represent a major headache for opposing DC’s. If he aligns in the backfield, that pulls a linebacker out of space and forces him to the line. Opens up the field for crossing routes. There was also a Gronk/Bennett stack.
Then there was an interesting drill where installation focused on OL getting to 2nd level and finding their man to block. What made this drill so interesting was that the DL was actually formed with OL personnel, and I’m guessing part of this drill was to make the OL experience this from a defensive perspective- shadowing the RB by judging OL tendencies (and thereby learning how to cover up their own). There was also some regular OL vs. DL 2nd level run blocking work. I guess this was an area BB found lacking and felt the need to improve. The OL continues to be up and down (unlike what I observed the first time) and part of this, I suspect, and as the PS game showed, is that it is still being “De-guggyified” and there’s quite a bit of work to do.
At this point the heat was starting to work on everyone- Bolden, Washington, and one other player pulled up, got gimpy- thankfully nothing major. Long really has a sense of humor- he was actually wearing a sweatshirt under his practice jersey. Could easily have had a heat stroke, but- he didn’t seem affected by the 105 degree heat index.
There was also plenty of ST work done, and Scott O’Brien’s attendance was, IMO, no accident. There obviously was something that really had to be worked on because BB was all over with the ST units when the three units broke up for their own drills.
I know there are those that are concerned about Cyrus Jones bobbling a few catches and I had an opportunity to watch him closely and it’s quite frankly just a case of your classic “running before catching the ball” which he should get over once he settles down. He is just too anxious to demonstrate his talent and speed.
Gost, thankfully was back to form, making all his kicks.
It was also funny to watch Slater smoke Crevon Leblanc who was in gunner coverage. You could see him stand there going “what?” after Slater pulled a roadrunner on him (think a puff of smoke, and a blur going down the field). Welcome to the NFL, kid.
Then quite a bit of situational football- my favorite part of watching camp. You learn a lot from these, and from the players and how they react to stressful situations.
More no huddle, more difficulties with Hogan. Misaligned twice, once on the line (should have been on it as there were only 6) and Brady overthrew him which made me think he executed in error and this was confirmed when Brady went over and discussed the route with him.
I think Washington is good as cut because he keeps making small errors, bad route, bad recognition, dropped pass, and a false start to boot it all. This sent him on a lap around the field and Edelman ran in to sub without being asked, and BB waved him off and put in Carter. This sent Edelman back to the sideline cussing. Anthony Johnson also got a false start on defense and went for a lap.
I also honestly think this is the end of the line for Dobson. He still doesn’t fight for the ball, doesn’t fight for leverage. If he loses leverage, he will pull the plug on the play, simple as that. This isn’t anything new. He may or may not make the roster simply on the basis that “something is better than nothing.” But one thing is fairly clear at this point, there is going to be no “breakout” anything for Dobson. This is as good as he is going to get.
(con't in another post)