Training Camp Summary for Friday, August 4th, 2023

Baltimore Ravens

• Once again, Zay Flowers had the best catch of the day in the 1-on-1 period
• Lamar Jackson delivered his best pass of Ravens training camp when he perfectly dropped a 25-yard pass over Jalyn Armour-Davis and right into the hands of Odell Beckham Jr. along the right sideline.
• John Harbaugh on RB Keaton Mitchell: “We threw a wheel route in the corner of the end zone that we almost made. We were just right out of bounds, but the catch was still made. You know, rookie RBs don’t get named just yet. We’ll see before we can start using his name, but No. 34 showed he can run. He’s got good hands.”
• According to Jeff Zrebiec, “There’s been a clear emphasis in practice to get the running backs more involved in the passing game.” Another scenario that bodes well for Keaton Mitchell.

Buffalo Bills

• First play of the scrimmage: James Cook 40-yard scamper.
• Mix bag today overall. The red zone offense looked good today but Gabe Davis and Dawson Knox both had drops.  Damien Harris ran well today even with a below average day from the O line.
• Latavius Murray has been EXTREMELY effective in short yardage. Has converted on every (or almost every) carry he’s had.

Carolina Panthers

• Bryce Young with a terrific back shoulder throw to DJ Chark in the end zone.  They’ve been connecting regularly in camp.

Chicago Bears

• Red Zone 1 on 1s from Justin Fields to start have been impressive. Chase Claypool runs a post and a 1 handed catch. Extremely impressive. Nice throw from Fields. Then, Equanimeous St. Brown with a stutter step shake to the left corner of the end zone with a perfect ball from Fields.
• Zack Pearson says “Liked what I saw from Roschon Johnson in pass blocking drills in 1v1’s.” When Zack was on our show, he mentioned this as one of the key things that could get Roschon on the field. The knock on Herbert is that he’s not a reliable pass blocker. If Roschon can perform here that could provide an opportunity to edge Herbert.
• Justin Fields to Chase Claypool for the touchdown in the red zone. Fade route to the corner. That’s two TDs today for Claypool.
• Justin Fields overcame an INT on the first play of an end-of-game 2-minute period Friday to lead a FG drive on the first-team O’s next attempt. That possession included completions to DJ Moore, Robert Tonyan and Chase Claypool that set up a 42-yard kick by Cairo Santos.

Cincinnati Bengals

• Lots of Chase Brown yesterday with no Trayveon Williams. He always looked good running out of shotgun power at illinois. It’s translating here. (video)
• Trenton Irwin has had a fantastic camp.

Denver Broncos

• Excellent work for the offense in 7 on 7. Greg Dulcich with a pair of catches. Russell Wilson didn’t have a ball hit the ground.
• It was a much better day for the Broncos offense today, except for a 2 minute drill before practice ended. Wilson mostly took the easy passes and got the ball out quick.
• Greg Dulcich said “it’s really cool” what this offense can do with tight ends.
• Courtland Sutton had two key catches on the Broncos’ successful two-minute drill Friday. Sean Payton thinks he could be primed for a 2019 repeat.  “Sutton has consistently been quarterback Russell Wilson’s top target in training camp.”

Detroit Lions

• “Amon-Ra St. Brown has been terrific so far in camp. He completely dominated the third day of practice with six touchdowns in a 10-play stretch in 7-on-7 and team periods. The way he’s looked in camp, 100-catches and 1,000 yards is about the floor for him.” according to Tim Twentyman
• “Sam LaPorta has been taking first-team reps since Day 1 and doesn’t look out of place at all. He’s still got a lot to learn, but all indications are that he’s a quick study and his receiving skills are really advanced for a young tight end. He’s going to play a big role in this offense starting Week 1.” according to Tim Twentyman

Green Bay Packers

• Luke Musgrave called “the biggest fast guy I’ve ever seen,” and LaFleur says there was a day in practice Musgrave was the fastest guy on offense by MPH.
• GM Brian Gutekunst on what he’s taken from Jordan Love’s first week or so of camp: “Not much,” he said with a chuckle. “He’s done a really nice job. Just like last year, the defense kinda had the offense early.” Said joint practices, preseason games will tell much more.

Houston Texans

• Dalton Schultz is participating in full team drills.
• CJ Stroud starts out his second possession with a long TD to Nico Collins and multiple first downs to Robert Woods.
• Takeaways from today: Tank Dell’s shiftiness is next level, Nico Collins is HUGE and fast and CJ Stroud looked very solid, accurate and efficient, mobile too.

Kansas City Chiefs

• Patrick Mahomes with a nice side arm. He threads it between two defenders to Justin Watson for the TD off the slant.
• Blaine Gabbert finds Deneric Prince wide open on the wheel for the walk in TD. They are working inside the 10.
• Deneric Prince keeps making plays during camp. The former Tulsa running back is absolutely making a good case for himself to be on the Chiefs roster. While running with the ones he goes for a TD on the delayed counter and caught a pass in the series.
• Patrick Mahomes finds Skyy Moore in the back of the end zone. Moore had to go over his defender to make the catch. He’s had a good camp and has quickly become one of Mahomes’ favorite targets.
• Clyde Edwards-Helaire sneaks out into the backside of the routes. Mahomes can’t find anyone. He starts to scramble and finds CEH for the walk in. 5-7 yard TD.  He’s had two touchdowns today now and got most first team reps.
• Andy Reid on Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s training camp so far: “I like what he’s doing. He’s practicing hard, aggressive. Yeah, he’s doing a nice job.”
• Trying to not get ahead of ourselves on Justyn Ross, but he just continues to make plays. Check out this one handed catch in the corner of the end zone.
• Patrick Mahomes later saw Travis Kelce, who found himself wide open after Reid bunched three TEs to Mahomes’ left with Justyn Ross the lone receiver on the right side.

Las Vegas Raiders

• Levi Edwards says “Tre Tucker is emerging into someone I think could make some noise this preseason.” (video)

Los Angeles Chargers

• Keenan Allen is still a route technician. Check out this move he put on a DB
• Josh Palmer keeps showing up. Check out this catch. Palmer is going to make it very hard for Quentin Johnston to surpass him as the Chargers WR3.
• According to Jeremy Fowler: “Don’t overlook Joshua Palmer…He quietly caught 72 passes last season, and the team really believes in his abilities. He was a standout on the practice field both days I was there…Some of the comparisons I heard from Chargers people on Palmer’s traits included Amari Cooper and Chris Godwin, which is pretty high praise.”

Los Angeles Rams

• According to Jeremy Fowler: The Rams “look at Cam Akers and Kyren Williams as their top two backs, likely in that order. The Rams believe both can pass protect but they like Williams a little bit more as a pass protector than they do Akers. So while Akers is likely the nominal ‘starter,’ Williams could carve out a role and then be the guy they lean on in the run game if something were to happen to Akers.”

Miami Dolphins

• “Size and hands. Cedrick Wilson is a very smooth route runner. He’s the type of guy is never really covered because he has incredible ball control,” says Wes Welker
• Tua Tagovailoa spins a rip to Jaylen Waddle in another tight window. Ball rarely hits the ground, he’s mitigating pressure, getting through his reads, showing off what looks to be all around better physical skills.
• Tua Tagovailoa to Chosen Anderson for about 50 air yards, just now, was one of best plays of camp. (video)
• De’Von Achane gets room to run and shows burst on a 70-yard TD. He found the cut back and accelerated through. That play speed is not something you typically see from a first year player but he has 4.2 speed and processing/reading is damn good too.
• In Low RZ drills Freddie Swain had a pair of short TD catches and there was some good work for De’Von Achane.
• Tua Tagovailoa to Raheem Mostert in flat for TD from inside 10.
• Tua Tagovailoa had four TDs in red zone drills in the rain, several chunk plays and has thrown just 1 INT in 11 on 11 drills in 8 training camp practices.
• The offense was clicking today. Here’s a dart from Tua to Waddle. By all accounts, Tua has been on fire in practice, with the ball rarely hitting the ground.
• De’Von Achane is dangerous with the ball in his hands.(video)
• OC Frank Smith on rookie De’Von Achane: “Where he’s been working to so far has been very promising and again the next couple weeks for the guys is going to really be the greatest growth because you go against the defense for several weeks and then now it’s going to change as we play different defenses.”

Minnesota Vikings

• “Jordan Addison could be the next big thing. It’s honestly too early to know for sure with it being his first training camp, but Jordan Addison looks to be the next great Vikings wide receiver. He has tremendous feet for a receiver and snagged an impressive touchdown on the back line of the end zone. I refuse to get hyperbolic with the praise for Addison, but he looks every bit the player that we thought he could be coming out of USC.” according to Tyler Forness

New England Patriots

• WR coach Troy Brown was asked about Demario Douglas‘ production in training camp. He said “Hopefully he can do enough things to make our team.” Brown is pumping the brakes on the rookie.
• Bill O’Brien: “We have a lot of trust in Mac. Mac Jones puts a lot of time in to be prepared.”
• Bill O’Brien on Mac Jones’ connection with Mike Gesicki: “I think it improves every day. Mike works really hard. Mike is a really unique athlete and unique player. … We’re working really hard to involve those tight ends ain our offense with their skillsets.”

New Orleans Saints

• Alvin Kamara getting work as a wide receiver today. (video)
• Alvin Kamara said they’ve talked as an offense without the coaches about getting him involved in the passing game again. Said sometimes last year the opportunities weren’t there. Alvin Kamara connected on a deep wheel route from Derek Carr today, and that’s been the case a few times this offseason already.
• Three game suspension for Kamara. Better outcome than most thought.

New York Giants

• Daniel Jones looks right, Darren Waller’s covered, then finds Darius Slayton in end zone.
• Daniel Jones was 6/9 in red zone drills with 3 TDs to each Daniel Bellinger, Darius Slayton and Saquon Barkley.
• Parris Campbell with the catch and turns it upfield for the TD. (video)

New York Jets

• As of two days ago the Jets feel good that Breece Hall will be ready for Week One. Maybe they have different thoughts on a role for Dalvin Cook.

Philadelphia Eagles

• DeVonta Smith having a great camp. Has 11 catches on 14 targets with 1 TD in team drills so far in 5 practices. (video)
• Marcus Mariota with a TD to Joseph Ngata in 11v11. Nice throw. Ngata is working his way up the depth chart. He’s been making some plays this summer. (video)
• Kenneth Gainwell is the team’s featured running back during the two-minute drill.
• Jalen Hurts threw his first INT of training camp. Darius Slay got him.
• Trey Sermon is having a nice camp, but the Eagles RB stable is deep. Sermon has 15 total touches in team periods: 10 carries and 5 catches, including 1 receiving TD.
• AJ Brown is still good.

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Kenny Pickett struggled yesterday. Today, he’s having a great practice. Every throw on the money.
• According to Alex Kozora: “Really good practice for Kenny Pickett and the offense. Far better than the past two days. Pickett was accurate, showed touch, and was productive. I’d call it his best practice of camp, one day after struggling. Nice bounce back.”
• Calvin Austin also having the best and most consistent practice I’ve seen from him all camp.

San Francisco 49ers

• Brock Purdy got off to a slow start, but then absolutely started cooking the 49ers defense. He had a 40 yarder to George Kittle, a 30 yarder to Brandon Aiyuk, and a 12 yard TD to Deebo Samuel
• Christian McCaffrey had a would be 70 yard rushing TD
• Trey Lance also had a good day throwing the ball, including a 30 yard dot to Danny Gray over the middle and a 25 yarder to Ronnie Bell.  Also hit a 25-yard crosser to Jauan Jennings, and 2 15-yarders to Ronnie Bell.
• Brandon Aiyuk with the insane catch in traffic. (video)
• Brock Purdy’s deep ball completion to George Kittle. (video)
• Deebo Samuel looking like Deebo Samuel (video)

Seattle Seahawks

• Dee Eskridge, who is having a great Camp, has been suspended 6 games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy
• The first-team offense just went the length of the field against the second-team defense and scored, aided by two big catches by DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Deejay Dallas punched it in from 2 yards out.
• Mock game QB halftime stats: Geno Smith is 10 for 15 for 171 yards and Drew Lock is 7 for 11 for 84 yards.
• Kenny McIntosh is apparently done for the scrimmage after having his legs bend awkwardly under him at the end of a short carry. (video)
• Pete Carroll called it a sprained knee for Kenny McIntosh and said they won’t know about the severity until he has tests done. Said Zach Charbonnet will be a full-go when they return from tomorrow’s off day.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Kyle Trask gets the starts with the 1s. He begins 11 on 11s with short completions to Cade Otton and Mike Evans.
• Two straight drops from Rakim Jarrett in 7-on-7. Very surprising.
• Russell Gage says he’s now feeling really good after being worked back into action slowly, and his main thing now is building chemistry with the quarterbacks.

Tennessee Titans

Malik Willis just found Treylon Burks for a big gain on a deep crossing rogue off of play action. Burks made a diving catch.