theogt
Surrealist
- Messages
- 45,846
- Reaction score
- 5,912
So I had the wonderful opportunity to head to San Antonio this past weekend to watch Training Camp. I went to 3 of the 4 practices (skipped the Sunday morning walk through). So take these observations with a grain of salt for two reasons: (1) they come from me and (2) they're based on 3 practices.
* I'll lead with the most controversial. Let me start by saying, I was long a member of the MB3 camp early on in the JJ vs. MB3 debates. I was elated that he was signed long-term. I still am. I was one of the biggest (if not the biggest) supporters of Tashard Choice pre-draft. I thought he was a first round talent and think he could be a starter for the majority of teams in the NFL. With all of that said, I am thoroughly convinced that Felix Jones should be the starter and the feature back in this offense. He should have *at least* 200 touches this season -- rushing. Add on another 40+ receiving. This guy is truly amazing and is far and away the best running back that we have.
* Bobby Carpenter had a great set of practices. He was all over the place making plays, against the run and pass. Maybe it was just due to being his birthday weekend or otherwise, but he looks like he has a chip on his shoulder. He hits harder the the others, he runs harder, he just looks like he's trying harder. Hopefully it pays off or sticks come gametime.
* David Buehler. What more can I say that hasn't already been said? This guy averages kickoffs 5 yards into the endzone. I saw more than a couple kickoffs that either hit the back of the endzone or came damn close to it. I'm 110% for taking two kickers on game day.
* This is no camp cupcake. There's hitting all over the place. There are the occasional fights and throwdowns. There just isn't tackling to the point of bringing players to the ground, though that happens on occasion.
* I've been in the "Scandrick camp" for awhile. I think he certainly performed better than Jenkins last year. I was quite worried about Jenkins as a legit long-term player. Sure he has the talent, but does he have the brains? Not too worried currently. He's taken a major leap forward in my opinion. To be honest, he looked much better than Scandrick and that's saying a lot. He should and will be the starter opposite Newman, based on what I've seen. What's more, Jenkins was all over the place against the run. I think he has a chip on his shoulder from the "incident" and is looking to prove himself in that regard.
* Martellus Bennett and the two tight end sets. This has been written about quite a bit, but I'll emphasize that we're going to see a whole slew of 2-TE sets (50+% of the offensive snaps). And we're not talking about your typical 2-TE set with an H-back in the backfield or a "max protect" formation. I'm talking, both tight ends lined up out wide as recievers. Or Bennett out wide with Witten or another receiver in the slot. You can motion both of these guys anywhere on the field and they're threats. Bennett looks as much like a receiver as he does a TE. But he's probably one of the best blockers on the team. There was one play where he was lined up out wide and one of the backs caught a swing pass behind him and Bennett just completely pancaked the cornerback and was looking for another person to block -- God bless the safety that was his next target.
* Don't expect much from the rookie linebackers. They may eventually develop, but I've seen some hype building based off media reports but I didn't see squat that warranted any excitement with any of them.
* There were a number of times we lined Felix out wide to either fake or run an end around. This should be fun.
* DeAngelo Smith was out working before every practice catching punts. If I recall correctly he had some nifty moves as a punt returner in college and may try and force himself into that position here.
* McBriar practiced all sorts of punts -- corner, long, high/short, etc. But when he was punting long he was consistently getting the ball 65+ yards.
* I didn't hear Tony yell "kill, kill, kill" one time. This is a good thing.
* It may come as a shock, but Rudy Carpenter will NOT make this team. Dude is teh suXX0rs.
* Mike Mickens is a player. I was absolutely not watching for the guy at all -- didn't know his number and couldn't pick him out from a crowd -- and he just kept popping out at me. He had more PDs/INTs of anyone I saw on defense. I knew his number by the end of the weekend.
* Two guys I noticed most often in the backfield were Spencer and Ratliff. Spencer is ready to go. He may not reach 12 sacks, but I couldn't care less because he's stout against the run and is INFINITELY better against the pass than Ellis. The guy can glue to Witten or Bennett pretty well. He had a handful of PDs in drills, etc. Ratliff is Ratliff. He's fast and strong and should have another fantastic season.
* Outside of our top 4 receivers, the only one that even has a remote chance of making the team is Kevin Ogletree. Romo seems to like him as a target. Heck, all of the QBs did, probably because he gets open and has good hands. Give him another season to gain some confidence and some strength and he'll be a legit receiver.
* Miles Austin. I've already said a good bit over the weekend about my feelings re: Miles Austin. I think the guy could be our #1 if need be. He looks that good. I think he'll get at least 700 yards this season. He's always open. Every play. Whether it's squatting in a hole in zone coverage or a go route. Whatever it is, the guy is open and catches the ball. Romo loves him as a target. In 11 on 11s, he may be the receiver with the most targets, catches and yards.
* Martellus Bennett is still Martellus Bennett. He's a complete clown. At one point he was pulling a "Rowdy" by getting two sets of crowds competing to cheer louder than the other. He ran out of the tunnel this morning throwing candy from his hat to the fans. I have pictures of him doing the Karate Kid crane kick. He's just the class clown. That's him and always will be. Luckily, he can perform on the field or else that sort of personality would wear thin quickly.
* The emphasis on special teams is remarkable. Obviously the team opens each camp with S/T, but the amount of time spent is abnormal, I think. And nearly every assistant coach is involved. If we're not improved significantly in special teams, then something is just wrong.
* Newman looks healthy and fast. <-- this would be a "not so controversial" opinion
* I'll lead with the most controversial. Let me start by saying, I was long a member of the MB3 camp early on in the JJ vs. MB3 debates. I was elated that he was signed long-term. I still am. I was one of the biggest (if not the biggest) supporters of Tashard Choice pre-draft. I thought he was a first round talent and think he could be a starter for the majority of teams in the NFL. With all of that said, I am thoroughly convinced that Felix Jones should be the starter and the feature back in this offense. He should have *at least* 200 touches this season -- rushing. Add on another 40+ receiving. This guy is truly amazing and is far and away the best running back that we have.
* Bobby Carpenter had a great set of practices. He was all over the place making plays, against the run and pass. Maybe it was just due to being his birthday weekend or otherwise, but he looks like he has a chip on his shoulder. He hits harder the the others, he runs harder, he just looks like he's trying harder. Hopefully it pays off or sticks come gametime.
* David Buehler. What more can I say that hasn't already been said? This guy averages kickoffs 5 yards into the endzone. I saw more than a couple kickoffs that either hit the back of the endzone or came damn close to it. I'm 110% for taking two kickers on game day.
* This is no camp cupcake. There's hitting all over the place. There are the occasional fights and throwdowns. There just isn't tackling to the point of bringing players to the ground, though that happens on occasion.
* I've been in the "Scandrick camp" for awhile. I think he certainly performed better than Jenkins last year. I was quite worried about Jenkins as a legit long-term player. Sure he has the talent, but does he have the brains? Not too worried currently. He's taken a major leap forward in my opinion. To be honest, he looked much better than Scandrick and that's saying a lot. He should and will be the starter opposite Newman, based on what I've seen. What's more, Jenkins was all over the place against the run. I think he has a chip on his shoulder from the "incident" and is looking to prove himself in that regard.
* Martellus Bennett and the two tight end sets. This has been written about quite a bit, but I'll emphasize that we're going to see a whole slew of 2-TE sets (50+% of the offensive snaps). And we're not talking about your typical 2-TE set with an H-back in the backfield or a "max protect" formation. I'm talking, both tight ends lined up out wide as recievers. Or Bennett out wide with Witten or another receiver in the slot. You can motion both of these guys anywhere on the field and they're threats. Bennett looks as much like a receiver as he does a TE. But he's probably one of the best blockers on the team. There was one play where he was lined up out wide and one of the backs caught a swing pass behind him and Bennett just completely pancaked the cornerback and was looking for another person to block -- God bless the safety that was his next target.
* Don't expect much from the rookie linebackers. They may eventually develop, but I've seen some hype building based off media reports but I didn't see squat that warranted any excitement with any of them.
* There were a number of times we lined Felix out wide to either fake or run an end around. This should be fun.
* DeAngelo Smith was out working before every practice catching punts. If I recall correctly he had some nifty moves as a punt returner in college and may try and force himself into that position here.
* McBriar practiced all sorts of punts -- corner, long, high/short, etc. But when he was punting long he was consistently getting the ball 65+ yards.
* I didn't hear Tony yell "kill, kill, kill" one time. This is a good thing.
* It may come as a shock, but Rudy Carpenter will NOT make this team. Dude is teh suXX0rs.
* Mike Mickens is a player. I was absolutely not watching for the guy at all -- didn't know his number and couldn't pick him out from a crowd -- and he just kept popping out at me. He had more PDs/INTs of anyone I saw on defense. I knew his number by the end of the weekend.
* Two guys I noticed most often in the backfield were Spencer and Ratliff. Spencer is ready to go. He may not reach 12 sacks, but I couldn't care less because he's stout against the run and is INFINITELY better against the pass than Ellis. The guy can glue to Witten or Bennett pretty well. He had a handful of PDs in drills, etc. Ratliff is Ratliff. He's fast and strong and should have another fantastic season.
* Outside of our top 4 receivers, the only one that even has a remote chance of making the team is Kevin Ogletree. Romo seems to like him as a target. Heck, all of the QBs did, probably because he gets open and has good hands. Give him another season to gain some confidence and some strength and he'll be a legit receiver.
* Miles Austin. I've already said a good bit over the weekend about my feelings re: Miles Austin. I think the guy could be our #1 if need be. He looks that good. I think he'll get at least 700 yards this season. He's always open. Every play. Whether it's squatting in a hole in zone coverage or a go route. Whatever it is, the guy is open and catches the ball. Romo loves him as a target. In 11 on 11s, he may be the receiver with the most targets, catches and yards.
* Martellus Bennett is still Martellus Bennett. He's a complete clown. At one point he was pulling a "Rowdy" by getting two sets of crowds competing to cheer louder than the other. He ran out of the tunnel this morning throwing candy from his hat to the fans. I have pictures of him doing the Karate Kid crane kick. He's just the class clown. That's him and always will be. Luckily, he can perform on the field or else that sort of personality would wear thin quickly.
* The emphasis on special teams is remarkable. Obviously the team opens each camp with S/T, but the amount of time spent is abnormal, I think. And nearly every assistant coach is involved. If we're not improved significantly in special teams, then something is just wrong.
* Newman looks healthy and fast. <-- this would be a "not so controversial" opinion
