Came back from my 1 week time-out waiting to see a lot of posts from Training Camp and progressions of players. Very little was posted and it seems like not a lot of people went to the camp. @Cheesebeef just posted the same thoughts.
So I had this idea. Why not making a thread to gather information on how the players have looked so far? And make it a collaborative effort, so please fill in any observation that you might have.
I personally cannot attend training camp living on the other side of the world in SEA, but I listen to basicly every podcast there is and get 2nd hand knowledge and tidbits. Here are my 2nd hand observations from the 5 Cardinals podcasts and 3 national that have been to camp.
That information is of course 2nd hand and you have to take it with a grain of salt because of the media hype.
Players with a positive vibe
MHJ - The most dominating player in camp so far. Bigger, stronger, better with a better understanding of the game. Last year, you could see that the talent was there in glimpes. This year it's on every single play.
DR - Has been the second most dominating player. Looks bigger and better than last year. He was hyped in last year's camp and was then injured. Looks even better this year. Plays with violence and has constantly been blowing up plays while dominating the O-line.
The D-Line
Great hype almost across the board on the D-Line. LJ is reported to look good. Stills has taken yet another step forward. Tomlinson is causing issues for all O-lineman in drills
Baron Browning
Gained weight and looks great. Looks great as pass-rusher Shares snaps with Colins opposite Sweat but with much more flexibility than the expected Collins = run down & Browning = pass-rush. Moves around the field in different formations
Max Melton
Have taken a leap and was the clear #1 outside CB even before Thomas went down. Has established him in the clear top 2 with Williams.
DTD
Looks great again and team is playing a lot of formation with a 3 safeties on the field with no will LB
Mack Wilson
Reported to be the star of camp behind DR and MHJ. Moved to Mike and looks fantastic.
Isaiah Adams
Gannon named him MVP of the week. Every report says he looks good. Really good.
Will Johnson
Looks the part. Great plays but still learning. No doubt that he would take over for Thomas at some point. Question is if he would start week 1 if Thomas didn’t get injured.
Zay Jones
Looks good. Clearly the #3 and stepped in and played great with MHJ resting
Kiran Crawford
Looks as good as advertised on special teams. Nothing on his play on defense.
Trey Benson
Gained weight. Looks great and pushing Connor.
Players with a negative vibe
Jon Gaines
Has not looked good in drills.
Elijah Jones
Doesn’t look ready. Doesn’t look good and having issues picking up the scheme
Hayden Conner
Looks absolutely horrible at center with 3 missed snaps.
Jonah Williams
Struggling in drills against d-line.
Bilal Nicols
Not ready to play. Should probably retire, but not going to because of garanteed money in his contract. Will be cut and take his money on the way out.
Other observations
The Will position is a question mark. The position will most likely be greatly diminished as there is a lot of formations where either an extra safety takes that position or Collins/Browning moves in. For the snaps remaining, it’s a even split between Simon, ADG and Pappoe.
Tipp Reiman
He did a feature on the official podcast. You always have to take that with a grain of salt, because while they are actual journalist it’s also a corporate communication channel. I found it interesting, because he clearly doesn’t want to answer any questions on his role. He explains that his entire rookie season was about picking up the run scheme. This entire off-season has been about picking up the passing scheme working with McBride on adjustments and reading defenses.
So what does this mean? Could mean nothing. Could mean that he will be a much bigger part of the passing game. But if he is, I’m sure we will not see anything of him in the open practices or pre season games.
So I had this idea. Why not making a thread to gather information on how the players have looked so far? And make it a collaborative effort, so please fill in any observation that you might have.
I personally cannot attend training camp living on the other side of the world in SEA, but I listen to basicly every podcast there is and get 2nd hand knowledge and tidbits. Here are my 2nd hand observations from the 5 Cardinals podcasts and 3 national that have been to camp.
That information is of course 2nd hand and you have to take it with a grain of salt because of the media hype.
Players with a positive vibe
MHJ - The most dominating player in camp so far. Bigger, stronger, better with a better understanding of the game. Last year, you could see that the talent was there in glimpes. This year it's on every single play.
DR - Has been the second most dominating player. Looks bigger and better than last year. He was hyped in last year's camp and was then injured. Looks even better this year. Plays with violence and has constantly been blowing up plays while dominating the O-line.
The D-Line
Great hype almost across the board on the D-Line. LJ is reported to look good. Stills has taken yet another step forward. Tomlinson is causing issues for all O-lineman in drills
Baron Browning
Gained weight and looks great. Looks great as pass-rusher Shares snaps with Colins opposite Sweat but with much more flexibility than the expected Collins = run down & Browning = pass-rush. Moves around the field in different formations
Max Melton
Have taken a leap and was the clear #1 outside CB even before Thomas went down. Has established him in the clear top 2 with Williams.
DTD
Looks great again and team is playing a lot of formation with a 3 safeties on the field with no will LB
Mack Wilson
Reported to be the star of camp behind DR and MHJ. Moved to Mike and looks fantastic.
Isaiah Adams
Gannon named him MVP of the week. Every report says he looks good. Really good.
Will Johnson
Looks the part. Great plays but still learning. No doubt that he would take over for Thomas at some point. Question is if he would start week 1 if Thomas didn’t get injured.
Zay Jones
Looks good. Clearly the #3 and stepped in and played great with MHJ resting
Kiran Crawford
Looks as good as advertised on special teams. Nothing on his play on defense.
Trey Benson
Gained weight. Looks great and pushing Connor.
Players with a negative vibe
Jon Gaines
Has not looked good in drills.
Elijah Jones
Doesn’t look ready. Doesn’t look good and having issues picking up the scheme
Hayden Conner
Looks absolutely horrible at center with 3 missed snaps.
Jonah Williams
Struggling in drills against d-line.
Bilal Nicols
Not ready to play. Should probably retire, but not going to because of garanteed money in his contract. Will be cut and take his money on the way out.
Other observations
The Will position is a question mark. The position will most likely be greatly diminished as there is a lot of formations where either an extra safety takes that position or Collins/Browning moves in. For the snaps remaining, it’s a even split between Simon, ADG and Pappoe.
Tipp Reiman
He did a feature on the official podcast. You always have to take that with a grain of salt, because while they are actual journalist it’s also a corporate communication channel. I found it interesting, because he clearly doesn’t want to answer any questions on his role. He explains that his entire rookie season was about picking up the run scheme. This entire off-season has been about picking up the passing scheme working with McBride on adjustments and reading defenses.
So what does this mean? Could mean nothing. Could mean that he will be a much bigger part of the passing game. But if he is, I’m sure we will not see anything of him in the open practices or pre season games.
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