NFC Training Camp Notes 8-13: Jimmy Garoppolo & More
Here are the Training Camp notes from Monday 8-13. Enjoy!
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Cardswire.usatoday.com – Jess Root
Coach Steve Wilks said earlier in the day that rookie quarterback Josh Rosen would get to play some with the first team in the Cardinals’ preseason game this Friday against the New Orleans Saints. He got to run with the first team in practice, as veteran Sam Bradford was given an off-day.
UDFA QB Charles Kanoff has followed up his impressive preseason debut on Saturday with a nice practice this afternoon. Completed a long pass to Trent Sherfield earlier and just found Christian Kirk for another big gain.
SI.com – Robert Klemko
Sam Bradford got the day off as the rest of the Cardinals labored in the friendly confines of Arizona’s indoor stadium, so it was Josh Rosen’s time to shine with the ones. He did so with the benefit of a less-than-live pass rush after Saturday’s inconsistent performance behind a struggling second-string offensive line. Sorry to say, the 10th overall selection in the 2018 draft didn’t look much better against his own teammates. Part of that can be blamed on a wide receiver group without a clear No. 2 to Larry Fitzgerald, but many of Rosen’s wounds were self-inflicted. While his footwork looked solid, Rosen air-mailed several balls at the goal line and down the sidelines, and looked out of sync with route-runners.
Conversely, undrafted free agent quarterback Chad Kanoff is making the most of his opportunity under center, and seems to have a fighting chance at supplanting Mike Glennon as the No. 3 quarterback on the roster. The Princeton product’s accuracy on deep balls Monday, particularly on one bomb to Trent Sherfield, made it hard to tell who was the first-round pick and who played his college ball in the Ivy League (no offense to the Ivy League, which has much more going for it than football).
Here’s the strange thing about watching Rosen and Kanoff side by side: When Kanoff faltered, he was reserved, attentive, and quickly moved on to the next play. When Rosen tossed up a bad ball or failed in a third-down scenario, he was visibly upset, taking big swings at nothing with a cleated foot and generally looking pretty miserable.
I didn’t see a receiver separate himself from the pack, and I don’t know that one will. Big-bodied Greg Little, the 29-year-old journeyman who caught 155 balls over three seasons in Cleveland but hasn’t appeared in a game since 2014, had a strong day and looked like he could be a problem for smaller corners. It would be a nice comeback story if the former second-round pick can make a contribution. It’s difficult to get excited about J.J. Nelson, whose elite speed hasn’t translated into production over his four seasons. Rookie second-rounder Christian Kirk, on the other hand, promises to create problems for opposing special teams and probably defenses at some point this season.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Pantherswire.usatoday.com – Tim Weaver
It’s no big deal, but the last three days of camp were a rough stretch for Cam Newton. Both Saturday and Sunday he was picked off by linebacker Luke Kuechly and today the interceptions continued.
At one point, Newton was picked off three times in less than 15 minutes.
Second-year wide receiver and Saturday’s birthday boy Curtis Samuel had another good practice. He caught a long ball from Taylor Heinicke.
Tight end Chris Manhertz is still on the mend after breaking his foot a few weeks ago. He remains on the PUP list but he is running on the sidelines.
Panthers.com – Max Henson
Let's discuss the receivers. Devin Funchess is beaming with confidence and primed for a big year at the "X" in Turner’s offense. First-round pick DJ Moore is a potential stud. The rookie from Maryland made plays left and right. Torrey Smith and Jarius Wright look like smart additions. Smith, the veteran leader with two rings who can stretch the field. Wright, the savvy slot operator who can create separation and make tough catches.
And what about speedsters Curtis Samuel and Damiere Byrd? Samuel stacked some solid practices together – not to mention four catches on four targets in the preseason opener at Buffalo. And Byrd’s route running has been very polished. If those two remain healthy, they can be tremendously valuable weapons.
Ian Thomas is going to make some mistakes and it might not always be textbook, but he's capable of winning the No. 2 tight end job. The rookie from Indiana is powerful and has surprising athleticism for his size. When he gets going downhill, defensive backs are going to have a tough time getting him on the ground. Mastering the playbook and effectively blocking will be challenges, but things are made a little easier when your No. 1 tight end is Greg Olsen.
CHICAGO BEARS
DailyHerald.com – Bob LeGere
There was plenty of good and bad, including these observations from training camp that stood out.
Mitch Trubisky and the first-team offense are not close to being in sync. It wasn't just the eight snaps in last week's disjointed performance in Cincinnati that were concerning. Throughout camp, the offense rarely displayed any crispness; Trubisky was frequently intercepted and often held the ball too long. The second-year QB looked much better later in camp than he did early, but the guess is he'll need lots of reps in the next two preseason games before the offense operates with any degree of cohesion.
WR Allen Robinson is the real deal. Everything about the fifth-year player screams "go-to guy." He has yet to play in the preseason, but he practiced more in Bourbonnais than expected after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee in September.
"Every single day, he treats it like it's his last day," Nagy said. "When he's out here, he's running in and out of the huddle. He's focused (even) when he's not in the play (and) in meetings. He doesn't have the highs and lows. He's consistently good at what he does. We've had scheduled days for him to continue to give his knee some rest, and that's been good for him, so we'll continue to ramp it up a little bit more as we go, and we'll have him ready to rock and roll for Week 1."
Among the draft picks, WR Anthony Miller could have the most immediate impact. The Bears' second second-round pick (51st overall) runs good routes, gets open, has great hands, is a tough runner after the catch and exudes the confidence of a ready-for-prime-time player. Yes, he's a bit undisciplined, but no one who watched him in Bourbonnais would be surprised to see him in the starting lineup against the Packers in four weeks.
As for the undrafted rookies, RB Ryan Nall is the pick to stick. His 69-yard scamper vs. the Bengals put Nall on everyone's radar, but he showed up from the first week of camp, catching the ball, running with authority and showing more speed than expected from a 232-pound big back.
DALLAS COWBOYS
Cowboys signing former Utah WR Darren Carrington, per source.
Here are some great practice videos.
Here are some more practice videos.
DETROIT LIONS
DetroitLions.com - Tim Twentyman & Mike OHara
The second-year tight end Michael Roberts has not been a prolific pass-catcher or red-zone threat the way he was at Toledo, but he showed a flash of his college days in Monday’s practice. Roberts jumped to catch a pass from Matthew Stafford in the deep right corner of the end zone.
Veteran running back LeGarrette Blount has a reputation as a thumping power back at nearly 250 pounds, but during one-on-one passing drills against the linebackers on Monday, he showed off his quickness and wiggle against the likes of Jarrad Davis, Darnell Sankey and Steve Longa to gain separation and make the catch.
Jake Rudock took a hard hit at the end of the last possession he directed Friday night against the Raiders, but he showed no ill effects Monday. Running the two-minute offense at the end of practice, he completed his first 10 passes to make it first and goal at the four. After two incompletions – one was a batted ball – he finished off the possession with a TD pass.
Wide receiver Kenny Golladay has terrific size at 6-foot-4 and 213 pounds, and it’s that size people like most about his game, but Golladay is sneaky fast with those long strides. During a team period at practice Monday, Golladay ran a short crossing route all the way across the field, and was able to get a step on the trailing cornerback for a completion. The trailing cornerback was Darius Slay, the fastest player on the roster.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
Therams.com – Myles Simmons
When the offense and defense first came together, McVay had them go into half-field drills. On one play, quarterback Jared Goff completed a pass to wide receiver Brandin Cooks on the left side. Cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters were both on the field for the play, and came back to the sideline in conversation about what had occurred. As wide receiver Robert Woods has said, even if something works against those two cornerbacks once, it probably won’t work again.
With Gurley also receiving a rest day, running back John Kelly was another rookie who received extended snaps. He caught a screen on the left side during 11-on-11 drills and showed the same shiftiness he displayed during the matchup with Baltimore to make his way down the field.
Rams third-team running back Justin Davis walked off the field with a team doctor.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Thevikingage.com – Adam Patrick
In their first practice since their preseason game in Denver on Saturday, the Vikings had a few members of their offense watching from the sidelines.
Running back Mack Brown, and receivers Stefon Diggs and Brandon Zylstra all did not participate in Minnesota’s practice on Monday. Diggs reason for sitting out is unknown, Zylstra is reportedly dealing with a hamstring injury, and Brown was seen limping off the field towards the end of the Vikings’ preseason game against the Broncos.
Stacy Coley was one of those pass catchers taking advantage of some more reps during practice. That was until he landed hard after attempting to make a catch and had to be taken off the field on a cart.
No news yet on what Coley’s injury situation currently looks like.
Thevikingage.com – Adam Patrick
One of the top storylines at Vikings training camp this year has been the play of wide receiver Laquon Treadwell. Entering his third season with Minnesota, Treadwell seems to be enjoying the team’s new addition of quarterback Kirk Cousins this year.
Cousins and the receiver have seemed to develop a solid connection in training camp over the last two weeks and this could very well lead to some good things for Treadwell in the near future. During one of the Vikings’ recent practices the quarterback and receiver connected for four touchdowns on six attempts during a red zone drill.
Along with Laquon Treadwell’s play, the performance of Dalvin Cook has been one of the top takeaways from this year’s Vikings training camp so far.
Coming off a torn ACL he suffered last October, there was a fair amount of uncertainty surrounding Cook and his recovery status heading into camp. But the running back erased pretty much every doubt about his health as soon as he stepped on the practice field at the TCO Performance Center without the aid of a knee brace.
Many who have witnessed Cook at training camp this year have all come away with a similar thought. The running back doesn’t even look like he tore his ACL last season.
DailyNorsemen.com – skelly10
Kirk Cousins continues to look good coming off the first preseason game. He had a great pass to Latavius Murray and Murray was able to find a sizable hole and go for a big gain. Cousins had a few deep throws that looked sharp as well. One was to Adam Thielen while Cousins was under some pretty good pressure, and Thielen was able to catch it and stay in bounds. He also threw one to Dalvin Cook, who was able to catch the ball but was eventually stopped. Speaking of Cook, he looked great today and was able to burst through the defense line on a few plays.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Nola.com – Larry Holder
Sean Payton has often said how you might not need to see it every day from veteran players, but you have to see “it” from them sometimes. TE Ben Watson picked Monday for his day to shine.
The veteran tight end found the end zone a couple of times during team drills, with both scoring throws coming from Drew Brees. Watson also hauled in a nice catch in an earlier team snap.
Watson recently missed time with an injury. Obviously the ailment hasn’t slowed down Watson, who holds a firm grasp in the top tight end role.
The backup quarterback battle has maintained its spice heading into the second preseason game.
I’m a Tom Savage backup believer. His touchdown passes in red zone team drills to Keith Kirkwood and Deon Yelder on Monday maintained my confidence in him.
I have to admit, though, that Hill has plenty of tools outside his great athleticism. Offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael pointed out Hill’s strong arm and good feet in the pocket after Monday’s practice.
Hill showed off his touch by finding Dan Arnold for a TD throw in red zone team drills.
This shouldn’t be breaking news, but Mark Ingram can still play. He sliced up the defense in team drills with a TD on a screen pass from Brees. Ingram juked A.J. Klein right after the reception and then darted to the end zone.
Theadvocate.com – Nick Underhill
Mark Ingram isn’t making it easy to forget that he will be suspended for the first four games of the season. It seems like he has a carry every day that makes you take note of his presence on the field. He just moves differently than the guys contending to fill in for him. As far as that battle goes, it looks like Jonathan Williams is making a run up the depth chart. Hopefully, he gets a chance to play against Arizona’s starters so we can find out how good he really is.
TE Dan Arnold had one of his better moments of camp by catching a fade for a touchdown.
NEW YORK GIANTS
NorthJersey.com – Art Stapleton
It was a play only Saquon Barkley could make.
The aftermath is what lent uncertainty, even for a few moments, to his injury status.
The Giants' star rookie running back made a full-out fingertip grab of a Kyle Lauletta pass during team drills Monday morning, leaving the defense in his wake as he raced up the left sideline.
The completion was a thing of beauty — "Throw it to the fastest back in the league, good things happen," Lauletta joked to The Record and NorthJersey.com afterward — but Barkley appeared to slow up at the end of the play.
“Saquon has a mild strain, and we’ll be smart with him as we move along here,” Giants head coach Pat Shurmur said later in the afternoon via the Giants' Twitter account.
Kyle Lauletta is closing the gap between Davis Webb and he, the two young quarterbacks desperate for chances to show what they can do with the quest to prove each has what it takes to one day be Eli Manning's heir apparent.
What did Lauletta do stake his claim for that role? Well, he didn't implode, and in a crucial time in which one contender is failing to deal with the pressure, there's no question the Giants' fourth-round pick out of Richmond is opening eyes with the poise he is showing in the pocket.
When Webb is on, he definitely looks the part. Both he and Lauletta worked with the first-team offense Monday, and Webb found Odell Beckham Jr. twice for touchdowns on back-to-back plays. They were perfect throws: an on-the-run bullet to Beckham in the back of the end zone on the right side, followed by a perfect fade to the left corner for the score.
Not to be outdone, Lauletta combined with Saquon Barkley for the play of the day: a 40-yard wheel route on which Barkley ran onto the pass, catching the ball with his fingertips.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Nbcsports.com – Dave Zangaro
Not practicing today: Nelson Agholor, Corey Clement, Donnel Pumphrey, Mack Hollins, Markus Wheaton, Asantay Brown.
Good news today: He didn’t participate in team drills, but rookie tight end Dallas Goedert was back at practice after missing yesterday for a minor injury to his arm.
Everyone truly freaked out about nothing.
Carson Wentz still isn’t doing 11-on-11 drills, but he continued to do 7-on-7s and got more work today than he has in other recent practices. It wasn’t a good day for him, but it wasn’t a good day for any QBs.
Wentz wasn’t able to get a touchdown pass in the 7-on-7s in the red zone, but he should have had one. Mike Wallace bobbled a ball in the end zone and Ronald Darby was there to knock it away.
Darren Sproles is 35 and has nothing to prove to anyone, but during a blitz pickup drill, he let Jordan Hicks get around him and the 5-foot-6 ball of muscle was mad at himself. He let out a yell and slapped himself on the leg. That kind of passion from an aging vet is contagious.
Bleedinggreennation.com – Brandon Lee Gowton
Mike Wallace continues to shine. The 32-year-old burned Douglas deep down the field for a 40-yard completion. Nice throw from Nick Foles. There’s no question Wallace can be a vertical threat for the Eagles.
Darren Sproles shook Sidney Jones out of his shoes (figuratively) on a bubble screen to the running back.
Wendell Smallwood dropped a short pass thrown right to him.
Nate Sudfeld threw a beauty of a pass to Billy Brown up the seam. The tight end made a sweet one-handed catch while in stride.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
The 49ers are signing former Cowboys RB Alfred Morris.
49ers.com – Joe Fann
Trent Taylor continues to look better and better each day. The second-year slot receiver caught three passes on Monday, including one touchdown from Jimmy Garoppolo. Taylor should be full-go in Houston.
Garoppolo's longest completion of the day went to Garrett Celek down the right sideline. As Garoppolo released the football, the entire offense started to yell "Celek Time" as the ball sailed towards the wide open tight end. The long gain set up Taylor's score.
Jimmy G threw touchdowns to Cole Hikutini and Raheem Mostert during the red-zone period. Hikutini made a leaping catch in the back of the end zone, and Mostert scored on a nifty shovel pass from Garoppolo.
Nick Mullens ended practice with a 40-yard touchdown deep down the right sideline to Aaron Burbridge. It was one of the prettier balls Mullens has thrown all camp. Mullens also had another long completion up the right seam to Hikutini.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Rashaad Penny left field during practice but Brian Schottenheimer says he thinks he's okay.
247sports.com – Derek Lewis
Thus far *every 12 knocks on wood* the running back position has been one of the only groups to be injury free among its starters. Prosise is still nursing a hip flexor injury that flared up last Wednesday but Carson, Penny and Davis the top three backs have all been healthy.
Penny gave the team its first scare to that end on Monday when he left practice early with an unknown ailment. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer wasn't too certain when he responded he believed Penny was okay but no news has come out since and that lack of news suggests Penny is likely okay. Still, something to monitor for Wednesday and Thursday.
The Seahawks still have four players essentially inactive. Although Doug Baldwin wasn't placed on the physically unable to perform or non-football injury list; he's been similarly shut down for the entire preseason. Outside of Dontae Johnson who returned from a broken foot last week, no players have come off the inactive list. Tight end Ed Dickson apparently isn't too close due to a quad injury and Clayton Wilson's status hasn't been updated since he was supposedly possibly returning last week. He didn't. Finally, Dion Jordan isn't even set to be reevaluated until after the preseason ends. All remains on their inactive lists for now.
Tyler Lockett hasn't been absent this camp but they've had few reasons to call his name thus far as the team works in other receivers and tries to build chemistry between them and Russell Wilson. But over the last two days, Lockett's really starting to rev up his engine and get it going.
He made what some are calling the play of the camp with a 75 to 80-yard touchdown catch on Sunday and he was back at it again on Tuesday, even though he didn't haul in the reception. It's clear Lockett is starting to switch gears a bit as the preseason rolls along and starting to unleash his speed. He had one catch for 14 yards on Thursday vs the Colts. Don't be surprised if he gets behind the defense versus the Chargers.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Buccaneers.com – Carmen Vitale
The hands of the running back group had a good day. In one-on-ones, running back Jacquizz Rodgers caught a long slant from quarterback Ryan Griffin. In team drills, it was Ronald Jones II’s turn. He caught a slant in stride as he made his way upfield and turned on the boosters. The guy is fast.
The play of the day was a long ball from quarterback Jameis Winston to wide receiver Chris Godwin. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was held out today to rest ahead of a couple tough practices the team will face in Tennessee against the Titans. Winston hit Godwin down the left sideline. Facing tight coverage, Godwin managed to get his hand on the ball and haul it in inside the end zone.
If you have any comments or questions feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @Fantasytaz
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