HarveyWallbangers
05-29-2006, 08:07 PM
This week's team report from The Sporting News:
RB Ahman Green appears to be on schedule for the start of training camp. Recovering from a torn thigh muscle suffered at mid-season last year, Green was given the go-ahead to take part in some individual drills. He's farther ahead than Najeh Davenport (broken ankle) and could be cleared for practice when the pads come on. Green probably won't be allowed to take part in team drills during the 14 offseason team activities scheduled this month, but that's mostly precautionary. When he does return for training camp, he'll probably be limited to one practice a day. . . .
T Kevin Barry's torn thigh muscle is mostly a bad break for him. The team will feel his loss if there is a rash of injuries, but Barry, who is out for the season, probably lost his chance for starting at guard by failing to keep his weight down. The club didn't plan to use him at tackle in the jumbo formation as the previous staff did, so he would have been on the bench. His absence puts pressure on younger players such as Junius Coston and Jason Spitz to hold down the right guard spot and leaves the team a little thin at right tackle where Adrian Klemm and Will Whitticker probably will be first off the bench. . . When healthy, Davenport will learn the fullback position so he and Green can play in the same backfield at times. The coaches want to keep their backs fresh and since they intend to run the ball a lot they'll need multiple carriers. At 245 pounds, Davenport is big enough to block and could pair with either Green or Samkon Gado, giving the team the option of running the halfback or the fullback.
SCOUTING REPORT: The club plucked strong-legged P Jon Ryan from the CFL after a record-setting year and is trying to assimilate him to the NFL. Ryan booms punts about 75 percent of the time and has pretty solid directional skills. Where he'll need to improve is in his get-off times, which aren't up to NFL standards. He must speed up his delivery to compensate for the faster, more athletic special teams defenders he'll be facing week in and week out. He does not have much experience holding or kicking off and probably won't be able to help the team in those areas.
YOUTH MOVEMENT: The club is really counting on Gs Junius Coston and Daryn Colledge to come through right away. Coston spent last year on the bench and Colledge is a rookie, yet the coaches are counting on both to be starters this season. Both are quick on their feet, which will benefit them in the new zone-blocking run system, but they are different players. Colledge, who will play on the left side, lacks the anchor of Coston and needs to build upper body strength, but he is tenacious, confident and mobile. Coston, who will play on the right, has more explosiveness in his lower body and pulls exceptionally well. However, he comes from a small school and lacks savvy in executing a pro offense against big-time talent. They will learn on the run this season.
SAFETIES ANALYSIS: B. Marquand Manuel brings the experience and Nick Collins brings big-time ability. Together they should make a solid tandem.
RB Ahman Green appears to be on schedule for the start of training camp. Recovering from a torn thigh muscle suffered at mid-season last year, Green was given the go-ahead to take part in some individual drills. He's farther ahead than Najeh Davenport (broken ankle) and could be cleared for practice when the pads come on. Green probably won't be allowed to take part in team drills during the 14 offseason team activities scheduled this month, but that's mostly precautionary. When he does return for training camp, he'll probably be limited to one practice a day. . . .
T Kevin Barry's torn thigh muscle is mostly a bad break for him. The team will feel his loss if there is a rash of injuries, but Barry, who is out for the season, probably lost his chance for starting at guard by failing to keep his weight down. The club didn't plan to use him at tackle in the jumbo formation as the previous staff did, so he would have been on the bench. His absence puts pressure on younger players such as Junius Coston and Jason Spitz to hold down the right guard spot and leaves the team a little thin at right tackle where Adrian Klemm and Will Whitticker probably will be first off the bench. . . When healthy, Davenport will learn the fullback position so he and Green can play in the same backfield at times. The coaches want to keep their backs fresh and since they intend to run the ball a lot they'll need multiple carriers. At 245 pounds, Davenport is big enough to block and could pair with either Green or Samkon Gado, giving the team the option of running the halfback or the fullback.
SCOUTING REPORT: The club plucked strong-legged P Jon Ryan from the CFL after a record-setting year and is trying to assimilate him to the NFL. Ryan booms punts about 75 percent of the time and has pretty solid directional skills. Where he'll need to improve is in his get-off times, which aren't up to NFL standards. He must speed up his delivery to compensate for the faster, more athletic special teams defenders he'll be facing week in and week out. He does not have much experience holding or kicking off and probably won't be able to help the team in those areas.
YOUTH MOVEMENT: The club is really counting on Gs Junius Coston and Daryn Colledge to come through right away. Coston spent last year on the bench and Colledge is a rookie, yet the coaches are counting on both to be starters this season. Both are quick on their feet, which will benefit them in the new zone-blocking run system, but they are different players. Colledge, who will play on the left side, lacks the anchor of Coston and needs to build upper body strength, but he is tenacious, confident and mobile. Coston, who will play on the right, has more explosiveness in his lower body and pulls exceptionally well. However, he comes from a small school and lacks savvy in executing a pro offense against big-time talent. They will learn on the run this season.
SAFETIES ANALYSIS: B. Marquand Manuel brings the experience and Nick Collins brings big-time ability. Together they should make a solid tandem.