My observations from camp
 

I attended my 3rd training camp in 6 years Aug 3-5. Here's my thoughts:

-- I love me some Cassel. Simply put, the guy gets the ball where it's supposed to be. He seems to have some leadership qualities as well.

-- Haley is coaching his ass off. If we still suck this year, at least it's finally because of talent deficiency, and not because we call 2 TO's on the same play.

-- Mark Bradley is a fuq-up, Webb will be cut in first round. Welcome aboard Toomer!

-- Alex Magee will start. I know the term "motor" gets thrown around a lot, but this angry sumbitch is the walking definition of it.

-- the new scheme on Defense will benefit DJ quite a bit. The guy is simply too talented to disappear for games at a time like he has the last few years. I blame Goonther.

-- Ryan Succup is the tallest kicker I've ever seen. I can already go out on a limb and say he's not the worst kicker we've had here since Morten Andersen filed for social security. He may even be pretty damn good.

-- The main beneficiary of Haley's hire will be Dwayne Bowe. Haley hasn't forgotten where he came from. He's on the WR's asses like fat on Jamarcus Russell.

That's my 2 pennies. This was the best of my 3 visits there. Maybe it's because I actually like this coach/GM/QB. For anyone that's neve rbeen to camp, you gotta go. I'll miss RF, but hopefully moving it closer to home will give KC locals a better opportunity to go. Later.

Thanks for the report!
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rep!

Thanks!

Who are our outside linebackers, and what is Andy Studebaker looking like?

thanks

Thanks for the info.

repost.

thanks for the info :)

Thanks!! rep for you.

Looks like Vrabel and Hali are the starting OLB's, but don't be surprised if Vince Redd pushes for some time. His first day in camp, he blocked a kick and picked off a pass for what would've been a pick 6. Studebaker was pretty unspectacular, I think he was working w/the 3rd unit. One thing I can guarantee, if starters aren't producing, Haley won't be afraid to put someone in who can.

interesting comment...coaching v. talent has always been a debate depending upon one's acceptance of the coaches philosophy.

If it's more 'play not to lose' philosophy, it will be Haley's fault, to me, regardless of talent level.

Especially when you consider the changes he's made and the guys they've brought in...this is HIS team, no doubt.

I just don't see Haley as playing not to lose. He seems to be aggressive in his playcalling, at least what the offense was practicing. The players seem to be buying into it, which is half the battle. In 3 camps, this is the 3rd different coach I've seen. The extent of actual coaching/teaching going on now is the most I've seen yet, from position coaches, all the way to the top. These coaches realize what they've got, and that they have their work cut out, and are busting their asses to get this team ready. I really liked what I saw.

That's about as encouraging as one could hope for. Thanks.

Sounds good...it will be interesting to see the finished product on the field...it will be obvious at that point

Thanks for the observations. Just curious, but why was Mark a fug-up? I haven't heard much from him so far this training camp. And what I have heard, it sounds like we are in some serious need of wide receivers. Webb has been non-existent. Bradley has been non-existent. The rookie is lost. And everyone seems to be dropping too many passes. This does not bode well.

what about Boiman?

Nice, informative post, thanks.
Do you dare tell us about any negatives you observed? There must have been a couple.

P.S. Love the avatar. Gonna throw on "Iron Swan".

Not hilarious, not even funny...just reeruned.

It's pretty obvious the WR position is a glaring negative. Haley flat-out EMBARASSED Webb on Tuesday or Wed. Toomer's signing, and I think it was a good one, is a message to the entire receiving corps. Catch the ball or GTFO. Bowe is improving, and Toomer has some of the surest hands you'll ever see. Rodney Wright has been impressive among the rest. Bradley got blasted for lining up offsides, in addition to drops. Every time I turned around, Haley was chewing his ass. Don't be surprised if Wright makes the team over Darling, he catches everything. Thanx for the kind words, always nice to see someone else appreciates The Sword. "Fire Lances of the Hyperzypherians" off Gods of the Earth is the Sickest thing I've heard in ages. I love both of their CD's. I hope they tour up north.

I've been telling people here some of this since we talked the other day. I can't wait to see your pics...are you posting them here or on Facebook?

thanks for the report!

I'll try to put some in the repository here. I'll put the whole collection on Facebook for sure. I got a pic of Mitch (my son, not Holthus) and Cassel after we got off the phone. Good stuff.

:titus:

Just listened to the sword for the first time because of your avy. Thanks for the ear candy.

Oh. thanks for the camp reports too dude.

jlscorpio, a few questions if you don't mind:

1. How did Hali look at OLB? Can he rush the passer from that spot?
2. Did you get a chance to see what should be the 1st string OL together? How are they looking? Has McIntosh improved?
3. Any young backup OL showing signs that they are ready to step up if need be?
4. Cassel - some reports read like he's an INT machine while others say he can make all the throws. Why such a different view of the guy?

Thanks again.

In addition, Tooms is a team leader in the locker room and appointed captain on offense.

Here's an excerpt from the "newspaper of record" The New York Times on Amani Toomer:

The entire article: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpag...52C1A96E9C8B63

1. Hali has trimmed down, and is working hard on learning the new position. I'm cautiously optimistic about his pass-rushing.

2. 1st string OL looked better than I expected. Albert's gonna be great this year and I can see him in the pro bowl by 2012.

3. Colin Brown has potential, IMO.

4. He threw a few picks, but it's the first week of camp. I can only speak from what I saw, and I saw a lot more good throws than bad.

Thanks for the updates.

The part about Magee was interesting. After his draft era interviews, I wrote him off as an apathetic bum. The intensity you saw is welcome news.

adding my thanks for the observations.

Two thumbs in the air

Thanks dude. Any insight s welcome.

I'll try to remember to send some rep your way when I get to a computer.
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Thanks. IMO, Webb should have been cut years ago.

The trouble is, of course, finding someone who can take the ineffective starter's place. We're going to suck eggs this year at LB. We've got mediocre starters and absolutely no depth.

I hope guys like Magee (I'm pumped about that report you gave about him) Tank, Dorsey, and Jackson are prepared to make the transition, and that it benefits them greatly. Otherwise we'll be screwed. Our young secondary is too talented to have to put up with shit like this.

That's definately one of this team's inconvenient truths. I see us using 2 of our 3 "starter" picks (that's what I call rds 1 and 2 in the draft) on the front 7, and either WR or OL with the other.

Rep..thanks for the info!

if we suck this year, at least we'll have good draft picks next year :shrug:

How about Dorsey? How is he looking? I have not read much(haven't looked a ton) about him on here since he got on the practice field.

I don't think he's on the field much. I think he's practicing with the invalids.