More of a summary of what I saw at Tuesday's camp 7/30/24
QB's -
Stafford makes everyone else look bad. Don't get me wrong,
Jimmy G looked poised out there, moved around well in the pocket but just doesn't have the zip and precision that Stafford shows. To be fair he wasn't throwing to Kupp and Puka.
Stetson didn't get in the 11's on 11's until the very end when the 3rd stringers got out there for a few plays completed a couple short passes under 5 yards so hard to really tell anything.
RB's -
Kyren Williams looks ready for another big season! Quick but patient, really knows how to pick his holes. Definitely stood out above the rest.
Blake Corum very similar to Kyren in style but not as decisive, I'm sure that will come with more time in the offense.
Ronnie Rivers looks rejuvenated Running hard but we only get so much with him, if the hole's there he's gonna hit it if it's not he's not going to make something happen but he will fight for extra yardage.
Boston Scott was really running hard, not many holes for him but he refused to go down. Defense wasn't supposed to tackle to the ground but Scott was forcing their hand, and he still wouldn't go down. Could be valuable on the goal line and short yardage plays.
Zach Evans was only in for a play or two and didn't seem to do much of anything except run into the back of the line.
WR's -
Cooper Kupp looks already in midseason form. He looked like he was really paying attention to securing the ball before making any moves and then before you know it he's running past you. I really liked seeing him working with some of the DB's namely Tre'Davious White and Kam Curl. Swapping ideas and insight (iron sharpens...) Was fun to see him come out on the field after practice with the whole family.
Puka was joined at the hip with Kupp at the start of practice, both running onto the field from the media tents about 20 minutes into practice, both working with White and Curl during special teams drills. On the field there was nothing I saw to make me think he won't have another monster year. He was catching everything coming his way and just looks like a big play waiting to happen. Last year everyone was chanting Cooper, Cooper, Cooper. This year it was Puka, Puka, Puka!
Demarcus Robinson looked confident and firmly entrenched as the #3 was making lots of plays out there today running with the ones.
Tutu had his moments, pretty much running exclusively with the two's but didn't help his cause dropping a punt in the special teams drills. Liked seeing
Jordan Whittington working with the jugs machine before and after practice he's a real presence out there and seems to have the right mentality to carve out a role early on this team. There's definetly a battle going on between
Tyler Johnson and
Xavier Smith. Johnson with the edge in receiving and Smith with the edge in the return game.
Drake Stoops made a couple of grabs and looks feisty out there but definitely raw, reminds of a Julian Edelman type. Would be nice to get him to the practice squad.
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Cooper Kupp and Fam.
TE's -
Colby Parkinson seems to be 1st string for now. Makes a lot of contested catches, misses some too. Has a good catch radius but is really known for his blocking.
Davis Allen played with the two's but got in with ones as well. Seemed everything on offense today was run out of 11 personnel so didn't get to see them on the field at the same time. Allen just looks like he's ready to break out, catches most everything that comes his way. I think a lot of us have high hopes for this kid and rightly so.
Hunter Long played with the Two's made a couple short catches didn't really stand out. Still waiting.
O Line - I didn't really focus on the line today, was mostly following the ball. Overall the starting unit did well in pass protection except for the couple times Verse got pressure (Noteboom?) They had a tougher time run blocking, opening holes, which seemed to be the focus on offense today, I think the defense knew that. They played well but seemed to have their hands full with our D Line.
D Line - A lot to like here. With Kobie still out,
Braden Fiske got some work with the one's on the interior. Fast and relentless he's a lot to deal with and should only get better with more time and work in the scheme.
Bobby Brown was a monster out there today, Stout at the point of attack and can really move for a big guy! He really impressed me today.
Jared Verse was able to get some pressure on Stafford today, definitely would have had at least one sack. He comes as advertised, a real presence out there.
Byron Young looks bigger stronger and faster than last year if that's possible. Looked real good against the run although I didn't notice him getting a lot of pressure but he was going up against Havenstein. It was great seeing Young and Verse signing autographs and just enjoy hanging out with each other after practice.
Hoecht made a couple of nice stops, Brennan Jackson was active out there with the two's but didn't make any splash plays, saw
Tyler Davis getting coached up after a couple plays.
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Jared Verse and B. Young. Verse ended up coming over and giving the shirt off his back to the little kid in the black t-shirt.
LB's - The only thing that stood out today about the inside linebackers was how engaged
Ernest Jones is even when he's on the sideline. He's really taking that leadership role to heart. Every time the two's were out there you could see him shouting out to his guys instruction, words of encouragement, he's just dialed in!
DB's -
Tre'Davious White sure looks healthy and ready to play! I know McVay says he wants to be smart with him, and I agree with that, but he was out there quite a bit, full speed, making plays all over the place. I'm really excited we were able to get him after seeing him out there today. And sharing his knowledge with the younger players and WR's? Could be the steal of free agency.
Quentin Lake really impressed out there today. I had my doubts after his first year but he's really coming into his own. I saw a lot of
Cobie Durant out there today but not a lot thrown his way, hopefully that's a good sign.
Jimmy G puttin' on a little show for the lady's!
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