NFC Training Camp Notes 8-7: Dak Prescott & More
Here are your NFC Training Camp notes from Tuesday 8-7. Enjoy!!!
RB D.J. Foster is having a solid camp. Joined the Cardinals from the Patriots PS in Week 2 served primarily as a third-down back and kick returner, totaling 336 all-purpose yards (19 on six carries, 133 on 17 receptions & 184 on eight kickoff returns).
Bears WR Taylor Gabriel’s recent foot injury is “nothing serious,” HC Matt Nagy said Tuesday. RB Jordan Howard “banged his knee the other day,” Nagy said. “He’s fine.” I’d be surprised if either played Thursday at Bengals.
DALLAS COWBOYS
DallasCowboys.com – Bryan Broaddus
TE Geoff Swaim had an outstanding reach block on Joe Thomas to get Tavon Austin around the corner on the jet sweep. Jaylon Smith actually took a really good angle to the ball, but Austin was able to out run him.
One of Dak Prescott’s best traits is his ability to throw the ball on the move, especially running to his left. Scott Linehan called a play where he moved the pocket in order for Prescott to make a quick throw to Allen Hurns on the outside. Hurns had a step on Jourdan Lewis, but the ball was a little high and behind him. Lewis was able to close the ground and get his right hand in on the play to make it a contested pass. Hurns was unable to come up with the ball before landing out of bounds.
Bloggingthboys.com – David Howman
Many have suspected that Geoff Swaim and Blake Jarwin are the favorites at tight end and this first depth chart corroborates that idea. Rico Gathers is listed third so rookie Dalton Schultz still has some work to do apparently.
It was interesting listening to Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner interview Dak Prescott along with Irvin on the NFL Network. He wondered if Prescott had anyone he trusted yet to go to on 3rd and 6 when he needed a first down as he often did to Witten and Bryant in the past.
Surprisingly, Prescott listed receiver Cole Beasley as the person he would trust to target in those situations right now based on their past success.
DETROIT LIONS
Freep.com – Dave Birkett
On Tuesday, the Lions finished their first joint practice with the Oakland Raiders with four physical goal-line reps, a fitting end to a chippy day. In the final goal-line period, with everyone live but the quarterbacks, the Raiders stopped the Lions on three consecutive tries from the 1- and 2-yard line, before rookie Kerryon Johnson plowed in on the final play of the day for a score that sent some of his teammates jumping in the air.
In the goal-line period, the Raiders stuffed LeGarrette Blount on consecutive runs. From the 2-yard line, Blount tried plowing up the middle, but gained about a yard. On the next play, from the 1, officials marked him down inches short of the goal line.
In 11-on-11 work, it was a different story. Matthew Stafford generally had plenty of time to throw, though he was rushed on a third-and-2 play when P.J. Hall beat Graham Glasgow, and the Lions' five-man line seemed to be functioning in unison as a hand.
Stafford wasn't as sharp as he usually is. He threw one interception in 7-on-7 work and he missed Marvin Jones deep a couple times. Jones had his way with the Raiders and looks primed for plenty more big plays this year.
Tom Silverstein @TomSilverstein
WR Equanimeous St. Brown is starting to flash. He’s catching everything and really using his length around the sideline. Rodgers seems more willing to throw to him.
Zachary Jacobson @ZachAJacobson
After hearing Aaron Rodgers speak of the rookie WRs the way he did today, it’s becoming glaringly obvious why the #Packers’ depth chart is the way it is, i.e., Jake Kumerow being listed ahead of all three.
#Packers injury report keeps growing as camp progresses. Among those out today: Cobb, Kevin King (right shoulder), Jaire Alexander (groin), Aaron Jones (hamstring), David Bakhtiari (left ankle), Mike Daniels (quad), Jimmy Graham (?).
Jimmy Graham was slow getting up after being taken to the ground by Josh Jones yesterday. He returned to practice and caught a pass, but the #Packers TE is not on the field today.
Another excellent play from #Packers WR Jake Kumerow, leaping over Quinten Rollins to catch a high pass in back of end zone during red-zone one-on-ones. All he’s done is impress.
Really nice pop pass over the middle off play action from Hundley to Valdes-Scantling. Good read of the pressure by the rookie WR and being ready for the ball.
With Cobb out again, DeAngelo Yancey is running with the 1s in the slot.
Jimmy Graham is dealing with a knee injury. Not anything serious, but Packers held him out today as a precaution. Obviously, doubt we see him Thursday night.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
Baltimore Beatdown @BMoreBeatdown
Jared Goff begins a drive with completions to Cooper Kupp and Brandin Cooks. Next play both Matt Judon and Za’Darius Smith ‘sack’ the quarterback. Whitworth is not in on the first-team drill.
NBCSports.com – Lisa Redmond
"John Brown is doing a really good job of just making things happen really quick," Flacco said after practice. "I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but we’ve hit him down the field, we’ve hit him back shoulder, down the field, back shoulder, everything. I really think that’s a credit to him and just how well he can get off the ball and get going vertical and put those DBs in a bad position.
Courtney Cronin @CourtneyRCronin
Kirk Cousins connects with Stefon Diggs on a deep pass and chucks the ball into the stands. He won’t get fined in training camp like he did for attempting to punt the ball out of US Bank Stadium in Week 1 last year.
DailyNorseman.com - wludford
During Tuesday’s practice, Stefon Diggs had to deal with being covered by talented cornerback Xavier Rhodes. But on one play, Diggs was able to get by Rhodes and haul in a deep pass from Kirk Cousins for a touchdown.
Laquon Treadwell looks noticeably better than he did last season. He has a different, more physical style than Diggs and to a lesser extent Thielen, but just a lot more confidence on the field where he looked as good as Thielen. There was a time during the earlier team drills today where Treadwell was getting just about every target from Cousins, and never dropped a ball.
Perhaps not much of a surprise, but Dalvin Cook looks as good or better than last year. Honestly he stood out to me a little more today than he did last year. No sign of any injury whatsoever. What stands out about Cook is his quickness, agility, then sudden acceleration through the hole or around the end.
Kyle Sloter throws a nice ball. I’ve heard a lot of praise for Trevor Siemian, and that may be well deserved, but Sloter was more impressive to watch throw. I’m curious to see him in pre-season action. He looks like he has a high ceiling.
As a seasoned veteran, Kendall Wright did not impress. He had trouble gaining separation from even backup corners, and seemed to lack effort. He didn’t have a ton of reps, and I don’t think he was targeted once.
I had higher expectations for Brandon Zylstra coming into training camp for the first time based on the buzz around him the past couple months. He got some first team reps today, and looked competent and knew what he was doing. But he’s not gonna get separation from NFL cornerbacks.
NEW YORK GIANTS
NorthJersey.com – Art Stapleton
It's been pretty clear that Shurmur would be using two-tight end sets far more frequently than his fired predecessor, Ben McAdoo, and that notion was essentially cemented on the initial depth chart. Gone is the base three-wide formation replaced by two receivers and two tight ends (Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard, Evan Engram and Rhett Ellison. Saquon Barkley is listed as the starter at running back as well.
Been saying it all camp, but watch for Russell Shepard as he steadily makes his move to join Beckham, Sterling Shepard and Cody Latimer at wide receiver on the 53. That could leave one spot for the competition between Hunter Sharp and Kalif Raymond — both of whom are competing for the return jobs — and Roger Lewis Jr., who has his work cut out for him to prove value on special teams in the preseason.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Philly.com – Jeff McLane
Nick Foles is unlikely to suit up and start. He missed a third straight practice with soreness in his neck area. He was joined on the sidelines by wide receivers Nelson Agholor and Mike Wallace, running back Matt Jones, linebacker Asantay Brown and center Ian Park. Agholor was absent for the first time this camp. He said afterward that he was fine. Zach Ertz returned after sitting out three days. He was limited, however, and is unlikely to go on Thursday. Tight end Richard Rodgers, receiver Markus Wheaton and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata were back in action. Running back Donnel Pumphrey left practice early, but he said he would be ready for the Steelers.
Carson Wentz didn’t participate in team drills for an eighth straight practice, but the quarterback was sharp during 7-on-7 drills. He only took six snaps, but here’s the rundown: Wentz hit Kamar Aiken on a short slant. The pass was thrown a smidge behind his receiver. It would be his worst pass. Wentz hooked up with receiver Mack Hollins on a 10-yard out with cornerback Ronald Darby in man coverage. He roped a dart to receiver Greg Ward on a seam route.
In the red zone, Wentz tossed a back-shoulder pass to tight end Dallas Goedert in the corner of the end zone. There was little Jalen Mills could do in coverage. Wentz threw high and essentially away from Ward with safety Malcolm Jenkins glued to the receiver. And finally, he strung a low missile to tight end Joshua Perkins on a short dig. The pass was where only Perkins could get it. Wentz was working with mostly backups against the first unit defense. His knee hasn’t been cleared for contact, but his arm sure looks ready to go.
The Eagles rotate a lot at the offensive skill positions, but rookie running back Josh Adams took his first reps with the second unit (unless I missed something). Adams has a shot to claim the fourth tailback spot. Matt Jones has hardly practiced. Pumphrey has shown improvement, but he hasn’t exactly dazzled. And Wendell Smallwood hasn’t stood out. It’s early, and the games will be the greatest evaluator. Adams had trouble getting upfield on Tuesday, partly because of the blocking. Goedert whiffed on one run and padded his chest as if to say, “My fault.” Quarterback Nate Sudfeld threw to Adams once in the flat, but he dropped the ball with cornerback Rasul Douglas bearing down.
Sudfeld has gotten a lot of work over the last several days. He’ll be the starting quarterback on Thursday. He strung a seam pass to receiver Shelton Gibson. Douglas broke up a pass to receiver Bryce Treggs. Receiver Tim Wilson hung onto a Sudfeld flick with his fingertips. Running back Corey Clement dropped an outlet pass. Receiver DeAndre Carter caught a corner fade for a touchdown.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
NinersWire.USAToday.com – Chris Biderman
Aldrick Robinson hauled in a 26-yard touchdown pass from Jimmy Garoppolo with six seconds remaining during an end-of-game simulation. Minutes later, he streaked down the middle of the field for a 70-yard touchdown from Garoppolo, running by right by rookie defensive back D.J. Reed. It was easily Garoppolo’s longest completion of training camp.
Robinson’s day speaks to the depth the 49ers have put together at receiver. They have 11 players presumably competing for six spots, with Pierre Garçon, Marquise Goodwin, Trent Taylor and Dante Pettis as likely locks. Second-year player Kendrick Bourne seems likely to make it. Aaron Burbridge is tabbed as one of the team’s primary gunners in punt coverage, indicating he has a strong shot at filling out the group.
Goodwin and Pettis have been the two most notable receivers in camp. Goodwin has made a slew of long touchdown grabs while Pettis looks comfortable beyond his years at a position where it’s typically tough to acclimate. Robinson has slid under the radar, but it might be too soon to give his roster spot away. The battle at receiver remains one of the most competitive during training camp.
Garoppolo’s two long completions to Robinson were the highlights from a mediocre day by his standards. He had two easy interceptions dropped by defensive backs Ahkello Witherspoon and Greg Mabin. He unofficially completed 11 of 20 passes during full-team drills.
Garoppolo’s best stretch came during the end-of-game period that culminated in Robinson’s catch in the front right corner of the end zone. Garoppolo dropped the pass between Mabin and Antone Exum Jr., culminating his drive in which he completed five of seven throws against the second-string defense. Robinson also made an impressive catch in the middle of the field on a deep crossing route.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
PewterReport.com – Scott Reynolds
Bucs coach Dirk Koetter wants to get the team’s “Bash and Dash” backfield of Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones, the team’s second-round pick, rolling during the preseason. With the team having to start backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick for the first three games while Jameis Winston is serving his suspension, Koetter wants to lean on an effective running game until Winston returns. Jones brings speed and big-play ability that was sorely lacking in Tampa Bay last year, and that should help.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
WashingtonPost.com - Kareem Copeland and Kimberley A. Martin
The Josh Doctson watch continued with a bit of confusion on Tuesday afternoon.
Redskins Coach Jay Gruden said before practice that the wide receiver would not practice due to lingering heel soreness, but there he was on the field going through full team drills in the afternoon. The heel didn’t seem to bother him as he ran routes and played through contact. Gruden had previously denied a report that Doctson had his heel drained, but this was the first time he acknowledged it was an issue for the third-year player.
Players participating in individual today: Josh Doctson, Jamison Crowder, Zach Brown and DJ Swearinger.
Doctson is also in the first team drill. Just had a target. Alex Smith missed him wide. Harris is in the slot in place of Crowder.
Alex Smith with a nicely placed ball where only the outstretched hands of Mo Harris can get it in front of Mason Foster for a short gain over the middle. #Redskins
Smith steps up in the pocket and threads the needle, hitting Paul Richardson in the endzone between Dunbar and Brown.
If you have any comments or questions feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @Fantasytaz
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