Training Camp 2008

[boiga]

I agree with most of the posts above.

My only addition is the question about how far Nelson might make it up the roster at WR. He's got a lot more speed than Ruvell, who I'm still mad at for the dropped pass in the NFC championship, but who knows how much experience matters.

The latest JSO article states that Jones has better acceleration, but Nelson has better top end speed. My take is that Jones will keep the #3 position, but Nelson will still see a lot of playing time.

Martin will still get lots of downs in the red zone thanks to his height though. Of course, he's also one of A-Rod's friends on the team, so who knows how that might play.

[Sparkey]

I agree with most of the posts above.

My only addition is the question about how far Nelson might make it up the roster at WR. He's got a lot more speed than Ruvell, who I'm still mad at for the dropped pass in the NFC championship, but who knows how much experience matters.

The latest JSO article states that Jones has better acceleration, but Nelson has better top end speed. My take is that Jones will keep the #3 position, but Nelson will still see a lot of playing time.

Martin will still get lots of downs in the red zone thanks to his height though. Of course, he's also one of A-Rod's friends on the team, so who knows how that might play.

I can see him as the #4 in certain spread formations. I think most of his work this year will be on special teams as an outside gunner and on kick/punt returns. If he can show a secure handle on the ball in camp.

[Patler]

Interesting article about the O-line today. Worth reading:

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=775319

I take the following from it:

1. In a couple years Spitz is likely to be the starting center, if Sitton or someone else develops at guard. Apparently, Spitz impressed them at center last year, and they realize they are limited with Wells because of his lack of size and the ever-increasing size of DTs. When drafted, it was said Spitz projected as a center, long term.

2. Barbre-Spitz-Sitton would be big, tenacious and a bit nasty in the middle.

2. Colledge is not the answer for replacing Clifton long term. A clear disappointment so far. May be a career backup.

4. At least one of Moll or Coston is probably gone this year, maybe even both. I think it is more likely that Coston will stay, and Moll will be cut if both are healthy.


For me, the O-line will be the most interesting competition in camp, because it can go so many different ways, both for starters and for those who make the final roster. The starting guards can be any two of Spitz, Colledge, Barbre or Coston, with Sitton having an outside chance to maybe surprise us. If two others play well, suddenly there might be a competition at center between Wells and Spitz. Heck, the middle of the line could even be Barbre-Spitz-Coston when all is said and done. They were quite high on Coston when he started last year.

Coston could be a starter, or could be waived. It is very uncertain for him.

The only thing for certain is that if they are healthy, Clifton and Tauscher are the tackles. The rest could be mixed and matched in many different ways for starters and backups.

[ND72]

I am looking forward to the OL. Competition should make us all better, correct? If that's the case, I'm looking to a much improved OL this year. We have LOTS of talent in house now.

After that, TE is an interest. I really like Finley, but he will most likely be the #2 this year. I just want to see if he's "got it".

Safety is an interest as well. I like Bigby, but I don't know if he's a "fixture" there, or if Rouse or anyone else will push him out. PLUS, Collins has all the tools in the shed, he needs to start to use them.

LB is an interest with Chillar in the picture.

I think the one thing we might all forget about is at DT. Who's filling in for Williams? Does Harrell put it together? Will Jolly be in jail? Will they move Jenkins down? Coaches liked Muir, is he a real thing? Then it goes to DE...what happens if....I know we have KGB, but does it hurt us if Kampman gets hurt (DUH) and KGB is full time in his spot? Does Montgomery every live up to his potential? Jeremy Thompson? Lots of draft buzz about him...does he have it?

WR is an interesting read.

RB is an interesting read.

Heck, even QB is an interesting read.


What I need is for the Brewers to either explode, or suck, so I can have my football season and either enjoy the Crew, or forget about baseball.

[Fritz]

Good points, Patler. I also am curious about the QB situation, specifically Matt Flynn and Brian Brohm. Will they show enough in camp to warrant being the #2 and 3, or will a poor performance by both get Flynn cut and Brohm relegated to third string while TT brings in an aging cripple or ineffective former first round pick?

As for jermichael finley, I think he's a project. He'll be inactive most games, I'd imagine.

Go Orange Junius!

[Patler]

For me, the "battle" at DT is not interesting...it is a concern.
There is Pickett and ????????
I expect little from Harrell early on. Hopefully he can contribute later on.
We may not even see Jolly at all.
If the primary rotation at tackle includes Cole, Bolston, Muir and Pickett; they are in trouble at tackle.

[Guiness]

Good points ND72.

I'm not so concerned about the DL. I think we have enough depth to shuffle things around and make it work. Missing Jolly would leave a pretty big hole to fill, requireing Jenkins to move back inside if Muir isn't up to it, but there's enough bodies to cover even if we have to do that.

The other pos'n I'll watch with some interest is 3rd CB/nickel back. Lee, Blackmon, Bush, T Williams. Bush would seem to be the odd man out, but if Lee isn't ready, or Blackmon isn't 100% healthy? I could see this battle continuing into the season, with Blackmon maybe going on the PUP list for a while...

[Freak Out]

For me, the "battle" at DT is not interesting...it is a concern.
There is Pickett and ????????
I expect little from Harrell early on. Hopefully he can contribute later on.
We may not even see Jolly at all.
If the primary rotation at tackle includes Cole, Bolston, Muir and Pickett; they are in trouble at tackle.

It seems like only yesterday we were "set" at DT for a few years.

[Fritz]

That's the NFL for you. That's why the Best Player Available at draft time seems to work pretty well.

[Ballboy]

As for jermichael finley, I think he's a project. He'll be inactive most games, I'd imagine.

I think Finley may make a contribution. Tory Humphrey hasn't shown much and for lack of a better replacement he will need to be the guy.

I thought the Packers had already said that Cullen was moving back inside or did I just make that up?

[motife]

the assistant coaches think the 2 most improved players on offense may be James Jones and Jason Spitz.

Jones has really bulked up, and Spitz can squat with 700(!) pounds.

[Patler]

and Spitz can squat with 700(!) pounds.

Heck, linemen have to be able to do that just to walk!

[boiga]

As for jermichael finley, I think he's a project. He'll be inactive most games, I'd imagine.

I think Finley may make a contribution. Tory Humphrey hasn't shown much and for lack of a better replacement he will need to be the guy.

Tory Humphrey's only problem has been injuries. The coaches have been verrry bullish on the guy's potential. Also, Finley dropped a lot of balls during OTC and has a lot of learning to do considering his limited college playing time.

So unless he gets yet another injury, 2nd TE is Humphrey's job to lose.

[bobblehead]

Every team needs a starter-quality 4th linebacker, I don't read too much into the Chillar acquisition.

I agree. It seems the largest positive that Chillar possesses is his ability to play any LB position. We had nothing behind our top 3 last year...now we have a guy we can plug in anywhere when needed.

This is what I read into it. Chillar is a good player at a bargain price, we signed him. Now they can all compete for time. If we could have signed a bargain at ANY position we would have....and let said player compete for time. Its the TT way...and I like it.

[bobblehead]

and Spitz can squat with 700(!) pounds.

Heck, linemen have to be able to do that just to walk!

Squat is the most important # for a lineman...it shows a low center of gravity for setting up in pass or drive blocking, that is impressive.

I think this is make or break camp for TT's first draft. Guys like College, Coston, Blackman, Montgomery all need BIG camps to survive. They can't afford to miss time and need to impress to stay. All 4 have shown things, but college is inconsistent and coston and blackman can't stay healthy. Montgomery seems merely serviceable, but is stuck behind some real talent at DE. I think they all go if they can't stay healthy AND impress in a big way.