As you might expect of a football die hard, I was eagerly anticipating today's first padded training camp practice of the year.  However, what was quite unexpected was how lackluster it was from a fan standpoint.  In all my years attending training camp practices, I've never seen a padded practice so utterly devoid of "oooh" moments.  It wasn't what I would consider to be overly sloppy, just uneventful. I am unsure exactly why that is.  I don't recall any tackling, so that may be part of it.  Perhaps because it is still early in camp. Now I'm sure the coaches found a ton of useful information from today's workout (and that's the key thing) but for entertainment value for the fan just wasn't there.  So if you find this entry to be disappointing, either in length and or substance, that is part of the reason.

Bouye and Rawls were dressed but did not participate.  It's my understanding Bouye had a slight hamstring issue, and based upon him dressing today, I'm guessing he would have played if it were a big game, but since it is just training camp and his spot is pretty secure, the team held him out.

A couple of things I noticed that were different this year from last:

1.  The weird half football grid type markings designed to help the O-Line with its positioning in the pocket were gone.  Not sure if it's because Warhop is the new OL coach, or if TC and Marrone decided it was not particularly helpful, but I did not see them.

2.  For the first time that I can recall, the team piped in simulated crowd noise.  It wasn't overly loud, but I guess it was enough to serve their purposes.

There weren't many of the 1 X 1 type drills where CBs covered WRs, etc. that I was able to see.  Most of the work was conducted on the far two fields, and special teams-specifically the punt teams-began on the middle.  Meanwhile, three of the DEs (Allen, Smoot and McCray) were brought onto the near field, and they were working on drills where they were taking on blocks coming at them from different angles (i.e. a pulling TE) and they would have to either maintain outside leverage or attack the inside shoulder. It wasn't a full speed or full contract drill.

11 X 11

For today, Cedric Ogbuehi was the starting RT, and Leonard Wester (#61) was at LT.  Allen was at RDE. Allen had one play in particular that he made his presence known as he pressured Foles into an incompletion.

Fournette began the 11 X 11 drills with two runs, one inside for a minimal gain, and the next a longer run to the right.

There were a few plays where Foles moved in the pocket on rollouts/sprint outs.  

Rookie watch:

Josh Allen-Aside from the above referenced pressure, didn't seem to stand out to me.  Admittedly it was difficult to follow him based upon the field position.  With the offense facing away from the river moving from my left to right, Allen was in the position farthest from me.  It was hard to see him/focus on him.

Jawaan Taylor-was 2nd team RT and from what I saw, he went up against Smoot on his reps.  Like seemingly everyone else, Taylor seemed to erase Smoot, though Taylor may have had a false start later in practice.

Josh Oliver-worked with the second team, and they used him in motion.  He had 2-3 catches, one a short drag type route to the left, another a more intermediate route run from the right side of the formation to the left.

Quincy Williams=Did not notice him

Ryquell Armstead=noticed him catching a pass over the middle circling out of the backfield.

Gardner Minshew-Seemed to have a good day-possibly the best of all the QBs.

Dontavious  Russell-aside from being big, did not seem to stand out

Tyre Brady-Caught a deep post pattern that was the closest  to an oooh moment this practice offered.

Breon Borders-had another INT today on a pass from Minshew

That's pretty much it for now.

I will try to attend another practice this week, and hopefully I will have more details for you.

---

 

Worst to 1st.  Curse Reversed!

Thank you Sir!

---

Thanks for the coverage, Bullseye. Very nice for us long distance folks. Man I miss going to camps and games.

---

I wouldn't be concerned over the lack of exciting moments. In the past this early in camp most of those moments come from individual drills; for example the Allen Robinson catch on Jalen Ramsey 2 years ago.

The league is also softening up everything and has been for a while, not to mention with a new offense being installed they're probably keeping it basic and focusing on basics as far as terminology and formations etc.

---

Championship Formula:

1) Draft Trevor Lawrence!
2) Play good physical Defense! 
3) Keep 91% of the roster healthy!
4) ???
5) Blank #2
6) CHAMPIONSHIP!!!

I wouldn't be concerned over the lack of exciting moments. In the past this early in camp most of those moments come from individual drills; for example the Allen Robinson catch on Jalen Ramsey 2 years ago.

The league is also softening up everything and has been for a while, not to mention with a new offense being installed they're probably keeping it basic and focusing on basics as far as terminology and formations etc.

Not concerned, per se.

Just a little disappointed.

I don't think it's necessarily indicative of a bad team.

---

 

Worst to 1st.  Curse Reversed!

How was Minshew's arm stength? Havent been to any practices but was down in Jax for the weekend and was talking to a family friend who has been to a few. Said Minshew's arm was much better than advertised. But admittedly I've always been skeptical of his scouting ability. Want a second opinion.

---

________________________________________________
Scouting well is all that matters.  Draft philosophy is all fluff.

Watch for Breon Borders....that kid can play.

---

Watch for Breon Borders....that kid can play.

Would like to see him in preseason facing a quality QB/WR combo. 

Picks against the Jags #2 offense in non-padded practice doesn't tell me much, unfortunately.

---

How was Minshew's arm stength?  Havent been to any practices but was down in Jax for the weekend and was talking to a family friend who has been to a few.  Said Minshew's arm was much better than advertised.  But admittedly I've always been skeptical of his scouting ability.  Want a second opinion.

I would not classify his arm as a howitzer.  He got the ball downfield on occasion, but the lack of zip was more evident on deeper passes outside the numbers.

---

 

Worst to 1st.  Curse Reversed!

As you might expect of a football die hard, I was eagerly anticipating today's first padded training camp practice of the year.  However, what was quite unexpected was how lackluster it was from a fan standpoint.  In all my years attending training camp practices, I've never seen a padded practice so utterly devoid of "oooh" moments.  It wasn't what I would consider to be overly sloppy, just uneventful. I am unsure exactly why that is.  I don't recall any tackling, so that may be part of it.  Perhaps because it is still early in camp. Now I'm sure the coaches found a ton of useful information from today's workout (and that's the key thing) but for entertainment value for the fan just wasn't there.  So if you find this entry to be disappointing, either in length and or substance, that is part of the reason.

Bouye and Rawls were dressed but did not participate.  It's my understanding Bouye had a slight hamstring issue, and based upon him dressing today, I'm guessing he would have played if it were a big game, but since it is just training camp and his spot is pretty secure, the team held him out.

A couple of things I noticed that were different this year from last:

1.  The weird half football grid type markings designed to help the O-Line with its positioning in the pocket were gone.  Not sure if it's because Warhop is the new OL coach, or if TC and Marrone decided it was not particularly helpful, but I did not see them.

2.  For the first time that I can recall, the team piped in simulated crowd noise.  It wasn't overly loud, but I guess it was enough to serve their purposes.

There weren't many of the 1 X 1 type drills where CBs covered WRs, etc. that I was able to see.  Most of the work was conducted on the far two fields, and special teams-specifically the punt teams-began on the middle.  Meanwhile, three of the DEs (Allen, Smoot and McCray) were brought onto the near field, and they were working on drills where they were taking on blocks coming at them from different angles (i.e. a pulling TE) and they would have to either maintain outside leverage or attack the inside shoulder. It wasn't a full speed or full contract drill.

11 X 11

For today, Cedric Ogbuehi was the starting RT, and Leonard Wester (#61) was at LT.  Allen was at RDE. Allen had one play in particular that he made his presence known as he pressured Foles into an incompletion.

Fournette began the 11 X 11 drills with two runs, one inside for a minimal gain, and the next a longer run to the right.

There were a few plays where Foles moved in the pocket on rollouts/sprint outs.  

Rookie watch:

Josh Allen-Aside from the above referenced pressure, didn't seem to stand out to me.  Admittedly it was difficult to follow him based upon the field position.  With the offense facing away from the river moving from my left to right, Allen was in the position farthest from me.  It was hard to see him/focus on him.

Jawaan Taylor-was 2nd team RT and from what I saw, he went up against Smoot on his reps.  Like seemingly everyone else, Taylor seemed to erase Smoot, though Taylor may have had a false start later in practice.

Josh Oliver-worked with the second team, and they used him in motion.  He had 2-3 catches, one a short drag type route to the left, another a more intermediate route run from the right side of the formation to the left.

Quincy Williams=Did not notice him

Ryquell Armstead=noticed him catching a pass over the middle circling out of the backfield.

Gardner Minshew-Seemed to have a good day-possibly the best of all the QBs.

Dontavious  Russell-aside from being big, did not seem to stand out

Tyre Brady-Caught a deep post pattern that was the closest  to an oooh moment this practice offered.

Breon Borders-had another INT today on a pass from Minshew

That's pretty much it for now.

My guess is they are trying to avoid the soft tissue injuries they experienced last year, so the intensity of practice will be increased throughout the week.  Bullseye thanks for the update on practice, living in South Florida I can not attend the workouts and truly appreciate your posts.

---

As you might expect of a football die hard, I was eagerly anticipating today's first padded training camp practice of the year.  However, what was quite unexpected was how lackluster it was from a fan standpoint.  In all my years attending training camp practices, I've never seen a padded practice so utterly devoid of "oooh" moments.  It wasn't what I would consider to be overly sloppy, just uneventful. I am unsure exactly why that is.  I don't recall any tackling, so that may be part of it.  Perhaps because it is still early in camp. Now I'm sure the coaches found a ton of useful information from today's workout (and that's the key thing) but for entertainment value for the fan just wasn't there.  So if you find this entry to be disappointing, either in length and or substance, that is part of the reason.

...

My guess is they are trying to avoid the soft tissue injuries they experienced last year, so the intensity of practice will be increased throughout the week.  Bullseye thanks for the update on practice, living in South Florida I can not attend the workouts and truly appreciate your posts.

Wanted to echo a few things here. 

Yes, the emphasis on maintaining a healthy roster through camp is very likely affecting the "wow" factor for fans in attendance. 

And yes, big thanks to Bullseye for the detailed report.  

Lastly, the Minshew velocity issue is real. I don't doubt that he may have enough to rise to back-up level QB at some point, but I don't share the enthusiasm many Jags fans seem to have about his abilities.  There's a reason we're hearing about third string corners making multiple interceptions in 11 on 11 work against Minshew.

---