FanPost

Friday's (8/1) Training Camp Observations/Thoughts


The team came out today without even helmets so it quickly became obvious that we would be seeing a different type of practice. It was a beautiful day and the players were running schemes at 3/4 speed, almost like a basketball walk-through so I decided to focus on where players were positionally and I'm glad I did.

Maybe it was because of the low key athleticism required for the day, but it was good to see nearly everyone participate in some way in drills. Kam was back at strong safety and Malcolm Smith took reps at linebacker, though not first team. I'm not sure if it is important but the only three non-participants (aside from some late arriving running back with the # 24) were linemen. Scott, Okung, and Carpenter didn't even participate in stretching or easy running.

The offensive line groups remained the same with the first team made up of Britt, Sweezy, Unger, Hauptmann, Bailey. The second unit was Winston, Schilling, Jeanpierre, Davis, and Gilliam.

I was also interested in how the linebacker situation would sort with Smith back and Wagner resting. The first unit for most of the drills saw Wright and Morgan outside and Brock Coyle in the middle. I am thinking that Coyle may bump Farwell. Coyle is certainly fast and he got a ton of reps during a short day. The team worked on coverage drops and Coyle moved laterally and back easily. He was getting some shouted coaching from Wagner. It's a curious business to watch players assist and prepare each other to potentially take their own or their teammates' position and paycheck. It strikes me that Pete's philosophy isn't just about having players compete for their positions but that once everyone accepts that the spirit of competition is the core value of what they are and what brings them together, then they are able to cooperate, support, and bond in spite of the obvious self-interest in not doing some of that with the guys who may take your job.

My main focus of the day was Mayowa since I realized that I'd made an unfair comment last week when I noted that he had been handled in the drill I watched. He was but what was unfair was that I was trying to watch so much that I didn't see his other reps and have no idea what the balance of his success was or wasn't. And though this practice wouldn't measure any player's relative success I was glad of my choice as I came to realize that Mayowa's versatility is Bruce Irvin special. Today Mayowa lined up in a 4 point stance on the goal line (though not on the first team), he played both left and right defensive end, he lined up as the rightside linebacker and at one point he set up and pressed Kevin Smirh on the line when Smith was in the slot. After jamming Smith Mayowa dropped into the flat for zone coverage. But his most impressive display of athleticism was during goal line work. Lined up over Willson as a left end he stayed with Luke across the end zone tipping away the fade pass in the far right corner.

Here are some less paragraphy observations:

Kiero Small practiced on the punt return team lining up over the center.

The first team goal line defensive line consisted of a wall from right to left of Scruggs, Mebane, Williams, McDaniel, and Bennett.

I watched a goofy drill from the lonesome trio of Gresham, Hauschka, and Ryan where Hauschka would give Ryan a bad snap who would recover it roll out and drop kick the ball. I laughed until the end of the first half of the Titan game came to mind.

I don't know if I'm a Turbin fanboy, apologist, or both but I love the way he cuts with the ball.

When Marshawn walked in the team was practicing goal line work and he spent most of his time talking with Okung and Unger. Later, I think it was Sherman Smith, a coach had his arm around him for some time. I was struck by how as big as Lynch looks on game day he is a relatively small guy out there compared to his teammates.

At the end of a short, casual practice the team met as a group, then fanned out across the fields to sign autographs. Very cool.