Fall Camp Review: Practice 9 & 12
I was able to get to a short portion of practice on both Friday and Monday. Both practices were helmets only but I was impressed with the speed and physicality the players still played with. Overall, both offense and defense had moments of brilliance but also moments where things need to be cleaned up. I guess that is what the preseason is for.
Here are some thoughts...
Practice 9
1. They went into Field Goal nearly right away. I couldn't tell if the kicks were good or not but Vinatieri was hitting the ball really well with pressure in his face. He ended the period with a booming 45 yard make that would have been good from 50.
2. The team worked on kick coverage but there were too many pieces moving for me to get a sense of who might be on first team kick coverage at this point. I do know they were working really hard on getting them to up the intensity and speed which they were pursuing the ball.
3. On kick return Coach Arnheim was really working on communication between the two returns and then reaching maximum speed as quickly as possible.
4. They then went into a spirited session of two minute drill. Taryn opened the session with a 20 yard pass to Marquise Lewis then hit Goedert for another 15. After an incomplete pass and a sack, Taryn connected with Goedert on a post in the middle of the end zone. It wasn't bad coverage by the defense, it was just Dallas doing what Dallas does.
5. The second team offense was putting together a nice two minute drive with completions to Cade Johnson and Kallan Hart before it was derailed by a spike and three consecutive incompletions.
6. Next up they started a scenario where the offense had the ball with less than 15 seconds left. They needed to move the ball into field goal range and they had to kick a field goal to win the game. It was funny watching the chaos that comes up in that type of stress. Coach Stig was counting down from 10 after the player who caught the ball. Young players weren't sure where they could line up. However, Vinatieri made his kicks every time. It was a great experience for those veterans and rookies alike as this is a scenario that could come up any game.
Practice 12
1. A scout from both the Lions and Saints was present at practice. They appeared to be watching the tight ends and wide receivers.
2. The whole team was working on turnovers; offense protecting the ball and defense creating the turnover. Coach Arnheim appeared to be especially passionate about this and kept a tally for every time someone didn't protect it well enough. I'm assuming this tally was cashed in at the end of practice with sprints or push-ups.
3. The young tight ends continued their strong play. Hart, Cavanaugh, and Schauf all caught passes in 7 vs. 7 and looked good running after the catch. It will be hard to get much time on the field behind Goedert, but these three all look more than capable.
4. Adam Anderson again hauled in a long pass. His route running is just superb. He hides his route until the last possible moment and makes it hard for the defense to know what is coming.
5. In the line drills, freshman Aron Johnson held up well against strong rushes from two different defenders. Johnson may be the pounds lightest freshmen offensive linemen but he works hard and has really good technique. Yesterday was an impressive showing as he consecutively stonewalled two defenders.
6. It was fun to watch the line and running backs work on blitz pick-up and the level of communication and awareness that successful goes into this. Mikey Daniel from the running back position appeared especially capable of picking up a rusher.
Today is media day so watch for lots of great content from the official news media. I hope to get to practice again this week and then on Saturday.
Go Jacks!
-Matt
Practice 9
1. They went into Field Goal nearly right away. I couldn't tell if the kicks were good or not but Vinatieri was hitting the ball really well with pressure in his face. He ended the period with a booming 45 yard make that would have been good from 50.
2. The team worked on kick coverage but there were too many pieces moving for me to get a sense of who might be on first team kick coverage at this point. I do know they were working really hard on getting them to up the intensity and speed which they were pursuing the ball.
3. On kick return Coach Arnheim was really working on communication between the two returns and then reaching maximum speed as quickly as possible.
4. They then went into a spirited session of two minute drill. Taryn opened the session with a 20 yard pass to Marquise Lewis then hit Goedert for another 15. After an incomplete pass and a sack, Taryn connected with Goedert on a post in the middle of the end zone. It wasn't bad coverage by the defense, it was just Dallas doing what Dallas does.
5. The second team offense was putting together a nice two minute drive with completions to Cade Johnson and Kallan Hart before it was derailed by a spike and three consecutive incompletions.
6. Next up they started a scenario where the offense had the ball with less than 15 seconds left. They needed to move the ball into field goal range and they had to kick a field goal to win the game. It was funny watching the chaos that comes up in that type of stress. Coach Stig was counting down from 10 after the player who caught the ball. Young players weren't sure where they could line up. However, Vinatieri made his kicks every time. It was a great experience for those veterans and rookies alike as this is a scenario that could come up any game.
Practice 12
1. A scout from both the Lions and Saints was present at practice. They appeared to be watching the tight ends and wide receivers.
2. The whole team was working on turnovers; offense protecting the ball and defense creating the turnover. Coach Arnheim appeared to be especially passionate about this and kept a tally for every time someone didn't protect it well enough. I'm assuming this tally was cashed in at the end of practice with sprints or push-ups.
3. The young tight ends continued their strong play. Hart, Cavanaugh, and Schauf all caught passes in 7 vs. 7 and looked good running after the catch. It will be hard to get much time on the field behind Goedert, but these three all look more than capable.
4. Adam Anderson again hauled in a long pass. His route running is just superb. He hides his route until the last possible moment and makes it hard for the defense to know what is coming.
5. In the line drills, freshman Aron Johnson held up well against strong rushes from two different defenders. Johnson may be the pounds lightest freshmen offensive linemen but he works hard and has really good technique. Yesterday was an impressive showing as he consecutively stonewalled two defenders.
6. It was fun to watch the line and running backs work on blitz pick-up and the level of communication and awareness that successful goes into this. Mikey Daniel from the running back position appeared especially capable of picking up a rusher.
Today is media day so watch for lots of great content from the official news media. I hope to get to practice again this week and then on Saturday.
Go Jacks!
-Matt
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