Observations from Camp VI
Here are some more observations from training camp. Monday 08.08.05. Again thanks to Vin.
- After a day off the team looked to be in the midst of training camp mode. As a result, the team seemed much more comfortable than a week ago.
- The difference between a guy like Frank Gore and Rashaun Woods: Frank Gore, injured shoulder and all, was out there practicing. He didn't receive too many reps but he made the stretches and individual RB drills.
- Rashaun Woods finally made it out to practice, but he looked more sluggish than ever. This was likely due to injury, but he displayed horrible footing and cuts during his routes. Probably the worst looking WR of the bunch. Full Story...
- It seems like Nolan's criticism of Barlow worked. Barlow looked much more interested in today's practice, hitting the hole quickly and looking more interested than before. He had to sit out of drills briefly to get stretched up with the trainer at one point, but it looks like it may have just been cramps or something. He made it through practice.
- PJ Fleck returned to a great appluse. And what'd he do as he came back? Went up the middle and dove for a ball, colliding with Tony Parrish. Fear not, Fleck quickly got back up to his feet (to more applause) and looked quick and solid throughout practice. He also displayed some nice jumping ability, so even with a 5'10 frame, he does make an effort to go up there and get some passes.
- Another day, another impressive outing by the physically domineering Marcus Maxwell. He has thunderous legs and rumbles down the sidelines.
- Brandon Lloyd dropped a good (but slightly high) throw by Alex Smith to should have been caught. It looked like he let up due to the oncoming hit.
- One week into training camp and it's official: The competition between Alex Smith and Tim Rattay has hit full throttle. The two were really going at it today, with both QBs having their moments.
- One of those moments was Alex Smith completing 3 straight seam patterns into the end zone, showing a rifle arm and excellent quickness.
- Tim Rattay also threw well and looked sharp.
- Alex Smith showed more of his speed today, running and making plays out of nothing. But on one play he held onto the ball for far too long and decided to run when he had a one on one situation on the outside. Even the coaches yelled at him to throw the ball.
- Terry Jackson looked good catching out of the backfield.
- Jerry Sullivan really impressed me with his coaching today. He was really in the thick of things, leading by example and being a very hands on coach to the WRs. Nice to see the receivers have someone to look up to and coach them up on the finer points of the game.
- Issac Sopoaga looked quick today. He came in on several plays and seems to add the big presence in the middle that we've been longing for.
- Though the Smith/Rattay competition is full steam ahead, it seems as if Ken Dorsey might have been left in the dust for now. For the past 3 practices, Dorsey has seen very limited reps and hasn't looked as eager or persistent as before. It might be his general frustration, but I feel that Rattay is competing a lot more than Dorsey right now and it shows. Smith and Rattay are beginning to distance themselves from the pack.
- Rasheed Marshall has improved his ball handling on kick offs.
- Willie Middlberooks looked solid again today. He hasn't made any eye grabbing plays, but he continues to do a decent job of filling in for Shawntae Spencer.
- Rayshaun Reed continues to impress, looking good in the interception drills along with Tony Parrish and Mike Rumph.
- Andre Carter was getting in on plays today from the edge. But, again, he needs to learn to step inside rather than being flushed outside.
- Patrick Estes deserves some credit. He's not looking flashy or dominant at LT, but he's not looking particularly bad either. The protection from his side was pretty good all day today, and this guy still has another 20-30 lbs to add to his bulk. He could be a real a find.
- Eric Johnson is looking very good and making pass catching look easy.
- As a result of his pass catching, he hasn't been used in blocking very much.
- Dwaine Carpenter again showed some intensity and speed, barging into a play and adding some pressure on Alex Smith.
- Cody Pickett looks destined for that #4 spot....which looks like the practice squad at this point.
- Johnnie Morton dropped a perfect deep pass from Rattay today. He also turned the wrong corner on a pass from Smith...the second time I've seen him do that in camp.
- Overall, the team seems to be picking things up after a week. Smith and Rattay are really heating up and looking very competitive out there. The team worked on a lot of red zone drills, and after a while, Smith was on the money on those plays. It's amazing how fast these players grow and improve over just a week and a few days. But there is still work to be done and WRs that need to step up.
- After a day off the team looked to be in the midst of training camp mode. As a result, the team seemed much more comfortable than a week ago.
- The difference between a guy like Frank Gore and Rashaun Woods: Frank Gore, injured shoulder and all, was out there practicing. He didn't receive too many reps but he made the stretches and individual RB drills.
- Rashaun Woods finally made it out to practice, but he looked more sluggish than ever. This was likely due to injury, but he displayed horrible footing and cuts during his routes. Probably the worst looking WR of the bunch. Full Story...
- It seems like Nolan's criticism of Barlow worked. Barlow looked much more interested in today's practice, hitting the hole quickly and looking more interested than before. He had to sit out of drills briefly to get stretched up with the trainer at one point, but it looks like it may have just been cramps or something. He made it through practice.
- PJ Fleck returned to a great appluse. And what'd he do as he came back? Went up the middle and dove for a ball, colliding with Tony Parrish. Fear not, Fleck quickly got back up to his feet (to more applause) and looked quick and solid throughout practice. He also displayed some nice jumping ability, so even with a 5'10 frame, he does make an effort to go up there and get some passes.
- Another day, another impressive outing by the physically domineering Marcus Maxwell. He has thunderous legs and rumbles down the sidelines.
- Brandon Lloyd dropped a good (but slightly high) throw by Alex Smith to should have been caught. It looked like he let up due to the oncoming hit.
- One week into training camp and it's official: The competition between Alex Smith and Tim Rattay has hit full throttle. The two were really going at it today, with both QBs having their moments.
- One of those moments was Alex Smith completing 3 straight seam patterns into the end zone, showing a rifle arm and excellent quickness.
- Tim Rattay also threw well and looked sharp.
- Alex Smith showed more of his speed today, running and making plays out of nothing. But on one play he held onto the ball for far too long and decided to run when he had a one on one situation on the outside. Even the coaches yelled at him to throw the ball.
- Terry Jackson looked good catching out of the backfield.
- Jerry Sullivan really impressed me with his coaching today. He was really in the thick of things, leading by example and being a very hands on coach to the WRs. Nice to see the receivers have someone to look up to and coach them up on the finer points of the game.
- Issac Sopoaga looked quick today. He came in on several plays and seems to add the big presence in the middle that we've been longing for.
- Though the Smith/Rattay competition is full steam ahead, it seems as if Ken Dorsey might have been left in the dust for now. For the past 3 practices, Dorsey has seen very limited reps and hasn't looked as eager or persistent as before. It might be his general frustration, but I feel that Rattay is competing a lot more than Dorsey right now and it shows. Smith and Rattay are beginning to distance themselves from the pack.
- Rasheed Marshall has improved his ball handling on kick offs.
- Willie Middlberooks looked solid again today. He hasn't made any eye grabbing plays, but he continues to do a decent job of filling in for Shawntae Spencer.
- Rayshaun Reed continues to impress, looking good in the interception drills along with Tony Parrish and Mike Rumph.
- Andre Carter was getting in on plays today from the edge. But, again, he needs to learn to step inside rather than being flushed outside.
- Patrick Estes deserves some credit. He's not looking flashy or dominant at LT, but he's not looking particularly bad either. The protection from his side was pretty good all day today, and this guy still has another 20-30 lbs to add to his bulk. He could be a real a find.
- Eric Johnson is looking very good and making pass catching look easy.
- As a result of his pass catching, he hasn't been used in blocking very much.
- Dwaine Carpenter again showed some intensity and speed, barging into a play and adding some pressure on Alex Smith.
- Cody Pickett looks destined for that #4 spot....which looks like the practice squad at this point.
- Johnnie Morton dropped a perfect deep pass from Rattay today. He also turned the wrong corner on a pass from Smith...the second time I've seen him do that in camp.
- Overall, the team seems to be picking things up after a week. Smith and Rattay are really heating up and looking very competitive out there. The team worked on a lot of red zone drills, and after a while, Smith was on the money on those plays. It's amazing how fast these players grow and improve over just a week and a few days. But there is still work to be done and WRs that need to step up.
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