Tuesday OTA Recap

[Hammock Parties]

http://kan.scout.com/2/757819.html

Tuesday, Warpaint Illustrated got a second look as the Chiefs practiced, and it was a banner day for three rookies. Let’s take a look at who stood out and who struggled.

LT Branden Albert – He was the star of the day. Defensive end Tamba Hali did everything but ride a bulldozer in his attempts to get past Albert to the quarterback, but was stopped. Albert is clearly the starting left tackle and was the best offensive lineman of the day. It’s early and the real bullets aren’t flying yet, but Albert is NFL ready. He was outstanding in preventing Hali and others from lowering their shoulders and driving toward the quarterback. He keeps defenders upright, negating any momentum or rush to the offensive backfield. CB Brandon Carr - He was far more active outside on the practice field than he was last week in the indoor facility. He’s fast and his size will allow him to reach for plenty of errant throws. The Chiefs are already using more press coverage with Carr and second-round pick Brandon Flowers in the lineup. Dimitri Patterson is the starter opposite Flowers at the moment but if Carr can do it with pads on, we might see two rookie corners start in 2008. DE Brian Johnston - Many of you thought I was drinking the KC Kool-Aid last week when I said Johnston reminded me of Jared Allen, but if you saw the way he got after the quarterback Tuesday, you’d agree. Johnston was outstanding again, and though he didn’t ever go up against Albert, he was able to blow past backup Herb Taylor. I can’t wait to see Johnston in KC’s first preseason game at Chicago in August. RG Adrian Jones - It looks like he’s the starting right guard for the moment. Last week’s star, Chris McDuffie, wasn’t all that great Tuesday. Herm Edwards hopes Jones will be the guy because he wants another veteran on the line. Right guard is the only question mark on the line at the moment, and though it’s not set in stone, Jones appears to have a leg up on the competition at the moment. FB Oliver Hoyte - He wasn’t good as a pass catcher or blocker Tuesday. To be honest, none of the fullbacks did anything for me. They’re all young, but Hoyte, who has the most experience, just looks like he’s not catching on in the early stages of the OTA sessions. The best guy so far is Mike Cox, the free agent from Georgia Tech. Hoyte plays too upright and needs some work. RT Barry Richardson - The young man from Clemson has all the tools to be a solid tackle in the NFL. Today was my first look at him and he was about what you can expect for a sixth-round pick. He did some good things, but was also beaten a few times. He was playing right tackle, which is the spot for him at this level - I don’t think he can play left. Either way, he’s a project with upside. He’ll learn a lot playing behind Damion McIntosh. DT T.J. Jackson - The free agent from Auburn was impressive Tuesday. He was quick off the ball and spent a considerable amount of time in the offensive backfield. I don’t know much about Jackson past what I saw today, but he was far better than Derek Lokey or starter Ron Edwards. He was not as good as Tank Tyler or first-round pick Glenn Dorsey, but stood out. LB Napoleon Harris - This was the best I’ve seen out of him in quite some time. What I noticed today is that he stayed in the middle of the field and didn’t wander outside in the flat unless the play went that direction. He seems to be taking to the teachings of his new linebackers coach, Gunther Cunningham. CB Will Poole - The Chiefs signed the veteran today after he had a short stay with the team last offseason in training camp. He looked much sharper this time and it appears he’s in better football shape. Patrick Surtain was not on the field today so it appears the Chiefs, who might carry five cornerbacks, are only set at three of those positions. Adding Poole was a smart move as an insurance policy. K Connor Barth - He was the best kicker on the field today. The former Tar Heel is a rookie, which bodes problems for Herm Edwards who experienced plenty of headaches last year with Justin Medlock. The Chiefs have John Carney sitting at home in San Diego ready to fly east to KC if need be, so the kicking battle might not be finalized until the Chiefs reach New England in September. But Barth has a much stronger leg than Billy Cundiff or Nick Novak. That may be the determining factor in the end.

[blueballs]

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Posted: 1 minutes ago
Looking ahead to possible first-time Pro Bowlers in 2008
By Pat Kirwan | NFL.com
Senior Analyst


It may seem like a strange time of year to talk about the Pro Bowl but it's never too early to take a look at the emerging talent capable of a trip to Honolulu.

NFL.com analyst Gil Brandt was making a point the other day on his radio show about how 20-plus players made their first Pro Bowl last year. It got me to thinking about the players working hard to get ready for the 2008 season and possibly their first Pro Bowl year.

I have put together a list of the probable candidates poised to take the jump from solid starter to star in 2008. I went to the fans for their opinions because they have a voice in the process. I also turned towards players and coaches for their insight about emerging stars; it didn't take long to get a list of twenty potential candidates.

While it took Fred Taylor 10 years and 10,000 yards rushing before he made his first Pro Bowl, Adrian Peterson, Patrick Willis, and Joe Thomas all got the call in their rookie years. Keep in mind that 2007 Pro Bowlers Asante Samuel, Jarred Allen, and Tony Richardson have all switched conferences during the offseason. Brett Favre retired, Jonathan Ogden appears to be retiring and no one is sure where Jason Taylor will play in 2008.

Volatility has always been a reality in the NFL personnel business and it has a ripple affect on Pro Bowl rosters. Last year an NFL.com poll after the Pro Bowl game listed the top four exciting players in the game and it included three recent newcomers: Adrian Peterson, Antonio Cromartie and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

Having a great year in 2008 is what will get players to Hawaii, but it also doesn't hurt if the player had a solid 2007 season. Team success and fan passion to stuff the ballot box are factors in the process, but when a coach or GM tells me about an emerging star on his roster, especially at positions where stats don't dominate the discussion like offensive line, it is very important.

Here are the top 10 players that have emerged from my discussions over the past few weeks.


1. Mario Williams, DE, Houston: Heading into his third season after 14 sacks last year and 18.5 in his first two years. A teammate said Williams is walking around at 300 lb. and looks unblockable.







2. LaRon Landry, S, Washington: As a rookie, Landry finished up the 2007 season with 95 tackles and 1.5 sacks. A front office executive said Landry did an amazing job after the death of Sean Taylor.






3. Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans: In two seasons he has 168 receptions and 19 touchdowns. As one defensive back told me, Colston should be headed to his third pro bowl by now but this should be his year or there's something wrong with the system.






4. Arron Sears, OG, Tampa Bay: Coaches around the league continually brought his name up as a dominating run blocker and a player they would love to have on their team.






5. Nick Barnett, ILB, Green Bay: Barnett had 131 tackles, 3 1/2 sacks and 2 interceptions last year. He averaged 121 tackles a season throughout the first five years of his career. Packers fans mentioned him the most as the player they want to see in the Pro Bowl and the Packer fans vote.






6. Plaxico Burress, WR, Giants: Burress established himself as a star during the Giants' Super Bowl run. His performance in the NFC Championship Game in Green Bay set him apart from the pack. He has found the end zone 29 times in the regular season during his three years with the Giants. More than one fan claimed he's the greatest offseason acquisition in the history of the Giants.






7. David Garrard, QB, Jacksonville: He wasn't even the starter when camp got under way last year but by the end of the season his 18 touchdowns to just three interceptions got everyone's attention. The Jags look ready for a great season in 2008 and that should put Garrard in the limelight.






8. Nick Hardwick, C, San Diego: Coaches tell me they consider him the best center in the AFC. He missed four games last year but is on the verge of star status. Fans have to pay close attention to him this year.






9. Jon Beason, LB, Carolina: Beason had 140 tackles last year as a rookie but was overshadowed by rookie Patrick Willis in San Francisco. Beason is very much on the radar screen for the offensive linemen who had to block him last year.






10. LaMarr Woodley, LB, Pittsburgh: Steeler fans know defense and when they like a player they get behind him in a big way. Woodley is a very popular young player in the Steel City.





Here are the next 10 names that emerged while looking for potential 2008 first-time pro bowlers: Tamba Hali, DE, Kansas City; Jamaal Jackson, C, Philadelphia; Kamerion Wimbley, OLB, Cleveland; Karlos Dansby, OLB, Arizona; Darrelle Revis, CB, New York Jets; Donte Whitner, S, Buffalo; Lee Evans, WR, Buffalo.
The three top rookies to get some attention were Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland; Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina and Jake Long, OT, Miami.

Finally, if 2007 repeats itself then there will be upwards of 20 new Pro Bowlers in 2008. Some of the players listed above will make the trip but what's just as intriguing are the guys we're not even thinking about heading into the season. Could the list include Marshawn Lynch, Adam Carriker, Laurence Maroney, or a 10-year veteran waiting his whole career to get the call?