8/19 Update
It was a light practice day around the NFL, but here are the highlights:
- Damien Harris continues to get a lot of run in Patriots practices and he’s making the most of it.
- “Austin Hooper is quietly fantastic. He’s not making spectacular catches or anything, but he’s just excellent at doing his job, getting open and catching passes. It already feels ho hum between he and Mayfield. It looks like they’ve been doing this for years.” Sounds like Hooper is doing exactly what he did for the Falcons.
- Tom Brady and the Bucs offense had a much better day today. Brady was routinely finding Gronk and Scotty Miller. Also, it’s time to firmly put Miller on your radar. He’s developed some nice chemistry with Brady. It’s super cliche to say this, but he could be Brady’s faster version of Edelman.
- Todd Gurley was back at practice after a maintenance day yesterday.
- Daniel Jones is in much better shape this year. He’s bulked up a little.
- Duce Staley on whether Eagles need a short-yardage back: “I think Miles can do it all. When you have a guy like Miles that can make people miss, that can lower his shoulder and also can run you over, you want to put the ball in his hands as much as possible.” Also news broke that Miles Sanders is considered week to week with a hamstring, but he should be ready to go come Week 1.
- Denzel Mims still not practicing
- De’Andre Swift has been impressive for the Lions, especially his receiving skills. Dan Orlovsky said “I would expect them to use Swift like the Saints use Kamara. Put him on the field on first down and throw him the football… I just see them utilizing him as much as a pass-catching threat as he’s going to be a run-commitment threat in the run game.”
- Bryce Love has looked good in camp so far. Doesn’t look like he has lost a step from his injury.
- Jets signed Chris Hogan and cut Kenneth Dixon.
- Mitch Trubisky and Nick Foles are alternating days at starting QB.
- Another spectacular catch by Chris Herndon today. Adam Gase “loves” his TE room.
- Antonio Gandy-Golden has been an excellent blocker in practice. That’s a good way to make the team and earn reps.
- The Terry McLaurin-Dwayne Haskins connection was working today.
- Antonio Gibson got the most work he’s gotten to date with the 1s and looked good, fast. He’s finding ways to gain yards with little space to work with.
- “Bruce Arians remarked that Ronald Jones has done a great job in pass protection so far during camp. He’s raved about RoJo consistently, and if the 3rd-year back can show out in pass pro better than the rest of the backs, he’ll be the all-around feature back in 2020.”
- Parris Campbell had a great practice yesterday, but had a rough one this morning. He muffed a couple punts and dropped pass from Rivers.
- Breshad Perriman continues to impress for the Jets. He’s easily the Jets WR1 and his chemistry with Darnold is developing nicely.
- Rough day for the Patriot QBs.
- Sean Payton likes Ty Montgomery
- Devante Adams had an injury scare but seems to be okay.
- Cam Akers had his welcome to the NFL moment as he was met in the flat by Jalen Ramsey.
- Chargers rookie WR Joe Reed has flashed.
- Vic Fangio on Albert O: “Albert has done good. Obviously he’s got some good receiving abilities. We’ve got to find out what type of blocker he is.” Noah Fant sat out today.
- James Proche had a nice fully extended catch for the Ravens today.
- Jared Goff and Sean McVay have raved about Van Jefferson. He’s having a good camp.
- More Robert Tonyan hype – he trained with George Kittle this offseason. He has a great chance to open the season as the Packers TE1.
- Mike McCarthy: “I’m very high on Dak Prescott. I think the best way to describe him is he’s a natural. He plays the position with excellent command. His leadership comes off of a very natural platform. … Looking forward to building a great future with him.”
- “DeeJay Dallas is a sneaky bet to make a sizeable impact as a rookie. He’s a former wide receiver, which is evident by his smooth routes and confident hands. Dallas should open the season as Seattle’s third-down back with the opportunity to challenge Carlos Hyde’s workload.”
- CEH had another good practice.
- Omar Kelly tweeted that Myles Gaskin, not Jordan Howard or Matt Breida, has been the most impressive Dolphins RB thus far.