Posted by Matt Olson

Training Camp Summary for Thursday, July 27th, 2023

August 1, 2023

Arizona Cardinals

  • HC Jonathan Gannon said he’s excited to watch James Conner “get behind this O-Line and cram the ball vertical.”

Atlanta Falcons

  • “Desmond Ridder Day 2 update: Sharp on the short and intermediate passes. Jonnu Smith and MyCole Pruitt have been favorite targets thus far. A lot of stuff over the middle has been working.  Deep stuff is just not connecting at this stage. Gonna have to get that fixed.”

Buffalo Bills

  • OC Ken Dorsey on RB James Cook: “We’re really excited about him and what he can do.” He spoke on the versatility Cook provides and even used the term “three-down back” potential. High praise for the second-year runner.
  • Stefon Diggs was the “best player on the field” Thursday
  • Gabe Davis said he felt like he “lost a step” when he suffered a high ankle sprain early in the 2022 season and thatmpacted his whole year.
  • Damien Harris is the RB2 over Latavius Murray

Carolina Panthers

  • Bryce Young had an up and down day, but had a couple nice throws to Jonathan Mingo and DJ Chark. Mingo’s catch was a full layout.
  • “DJ Chark’s ability to track the ball on deep routes is fun”
  • Miles Sanders will be used as a 3 down back this year

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Joe Burrow tossed a 60 yard bomb to Ja’Marr Chase
  • MONITORING: Burrow went down holding his calf and had to get carted off – Deep breaths. HC Zac Taylor says it’s only a calf strain

Cleveland Browns

  • Amari Cooper remained out of practice after a minor tweak the other day, but HC Kevin Stefanski said he’s “getting closer“
  • Deshaun Watson 1/4 in Red-Zone with 1 TD and 1 INT

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

  • Javonte Williams said he watched every game of Alvin Kamara to learn Sean Payton’s offense and his potential role.
  • Williams when asked how excited he is to lower his shoulder into a defender for the first time since his injury:  “I can’t wait. I’m ready.“
  • Williams on if he’ll run with violent intentions when he’s on the field: “That’s the plan”
  • Williams says he has been cleared for contact, but the team will still take it slow
  • “Russell Wilson was sharp today in 7/7 and team periods. Ball was out quick and accurate. Most important, Russ appeared to be comfortable in what he was doing and what is being asked of him within Sean Payton’s offense.”

Green Bay Packers

  • One of the excuses for a lackluster day for Jordan Love on Wednesday was the strong headwind. Matt LeFleur downplayed the wind: “Was there wind out there? There were a couple (Love) probably should’ve put a little more air under. Never going to overreact to 1st day.”
  • Matt LaFleur said he was walking out of a meeting last night and saw rookie TEs Lukas Musgrave and Tucker Kraft still in the building, going over plays: “They’re not afraid of the work. We almost have to protect them from themselves sometimes.”
  • Jayden Reed ran an impressive end-around, utilizing his speed. He also caught a touchdown from a Jordan Love dime.
  • “Christian Watson from Love for a touchdown. Great job of Love going through his progressions and hitting Watson on a secondary read.  Next play he navigates the pocket and scrambles up the middle.”
  • “Love finds Luke Musgrave over the middle on a slant but Musgrave can’t hold on. Some rookie moments showing up today.”

Houston Texans

  • Davis Mills started with the 1s today as expected. He was decisive in his throws with only 1 incompletion in his first 7 attempts.
  • C.J. Stroud displayed good zip and accuracy on his throws in full team drills. He had an elite level throw to Noah Brown on an out route.
  • HC DeMeco Ryans on John Metchie III: “Going to be a dynamic player for us”

Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Trevor Lawrence had a big completion down the field to Travis Etienne
  • D’Ernest Johnson had a long run in team drills
  • Sloppy day overall for the wide receivers after a great day yesterday
  • Evan Engram on Calvin Ridley: “Generational talent”
  • Laviska Shenault took individual drills with the RBs again. “He’s going to touch the ball a good bit this year.“
  • “Maybe the most exciting moment of the practice came from (Travis Etienne). ETN drew some big cheers from the crowd after a terrific catch during team drills. For a RB who wasn’t utilized much in the passing game a year ago, ETN has caught nearly everything thrown his way in camp.”
  • “Tank Bigsby has shown he is more than just a force of a running back. Bigsby has shown some nice hands during drills. He looks comfortable catching passes. That adds one more area of versatility to an already dangerous offense.”

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Mike Williams torched Ja’Sir Taylor for a huge gain
  • Through 2 days of practice, it’s evident that the Chargers want to throw it deep this year.
  • Joshua Palmer is the WR3 for now

Miami Dolphins

  • Tua Tagovailoa on De’Von Achane:  “He’s been very impressive throughout the first OTAs…I think when you look at the practices that we’ve had, I mean, he’s shown some pretty cool bursts of his speed. His hands. Understanding the plays. he’s done a really good job with that.”
  • “Tua Tagovailoa had some nice throws, including deep sideline to Tyreek Hill, but threw his first INT of camp, picked off by Kader Kohou with underneath coverage on Tyreek Hill streaking over the middle. Jerome Baker also had a near INT on Tua over middle.”

Minnesota Vikings

  • OC Wes Phillips on Alexander Mattison: “He’s multifaceted in the run game, in pass protection, and then his hands in the pass game, and  route running ability. I think we’re gonna see a lot of good things. Maybe people didn’t realize how good a player Alexander Mattison really is.”

New England Patriots

  • HC Bill Belichick describing Ty Montgomery‘s role: “versatile”
  • Montgomery had another busy day today, but not as busy as Juju Smith-Schuster. Juju had several catches, playing almost exclusively from the inside.
  • Belichick says Hunter Henry had one of the best off seasons saying he was “here every day, a lot of consistency.”
  • Another bad day for the offense in Red-Zone drills: Mac Jones went 0-4 to start in the 7-on-7 Red-Zone drill
  • Jones did complete his best ball of camp: A 20 yard back corner touchdown to DeVante Parker
  • Zero targets for Patriots WR Tyquan Thornton today in team drills. He had one target yesterday that went incomplete.
  • It’s early, but Demario Douglas looks like he has a healthy lead over the other fringe wideouts for the WR5 spot. Douglas has also added weight since he was drafted.

New York Giants

New York Jets

  • Dalvin Cook is visiting the New York Jets. The Jets have maintained steady interest. HC Robert Saleh said the other day “You don’t want to say no to a great player.” Saleh also said he’s “excited” about the visit.
  • Breece Hall tweeted “lol”
  • Scary moment when Garrett Wilson hobbled off the field. We are monitoring this, but it seems like a rolled ankle.

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Allen Robinson is the starting slot receiver
  • Kenny Pickett’s first throw was a deep shot to George Pickens but it was knocked away

San Francisco 49ers

  • Brock Purdy is back and stepped right back into the QB1 role. His arm looked strong. He threw a 20-25 yard pass to Brandon Aiyuk and a 45 yard pass that was overthrown.
  • “Not a great day for Trey Lance so far. Questionable decision on his first throws and some balls with not great placement.”
  • QB Stats:

Purdy: 3/10, 1 INT

Lance: 2/5, dropped INT

Darnold: 3/5

  • Sam Darnold had the nicest throw of practice to Deebo Samuel
  • Run game looked strong on Thursday. Great day for Elijah Mitchell. Jordan Mason also ran hard

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Best play of the day today was Baker Mayfield throwing downfield in 11-on-11 and rookie Rakim Jarrett making a contested leaping catch with rookie Keenan Isaac close in coverage.
  • Mayfield says he’s been “truly impressed” by rookie receiver Rakim Jarrett and his ability to leap and control his body for contested catches, says those are the guys you look for on crucial downs.
  • HC Todd Bowles says the Bucs have thrown undrafted rookie RB Sean Tucker right into the mix and he’s got as good of a shot as anyone to make it.
  • Tucker says that he is more of speed guy and an elusive back. Before being shut down in the spring he was running in the 4.3s

Washington Commanders

  • Dyami Brown was the standout today at Commanders’ Camp. He had a handful of really good plays. The beat says he’ll be more involved this year.
  • Sam Howell and Terry McLaurin connected on a deep pass downfield with rookie CB Emmanuel Forbes trailing in coverage.
  • Sam Howell’s arm is “strong and accurate“
  • Cole Turner being used as a big receiver?

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