Camp Battles

Jamaican'Skin · 07-19-2005, 12:55 PM

Washington
Walt Harris vs. Carlos Rogers, cornerback

This is a battle for the job Fred Smoot vacated when he moved on to Minnesota. Harris, a nickel back in 2004, is the early favorite for several reasons: He knows the Redskins system, he's experienced and Rogers isn't healthy. Not yet anyway. The first-round draft pick has a stress fracture in his right foot, is in a walking boot and won't be ready to rejoin practice until Aug. 1. That puts him behind Harris for the season opener. But safety Sean Taylor didn't open last season as the starter either, and look what happened there. Rogers was drafted first for a reason: He has a raft of talent, and the Redskins envision him as a starter. Look for him to crack the lineup soon.

Edge: Rogers.

Opening-day starter: Give me Harris because his competition is hobbled, but expect to make a change there -- with Rogers the choice -- by midseason.

Mark Simoneau vs. Keith Adams, weakside linebacker

Simoneau was the Eagles' middle linebacker, but his tenure ended last year when Jeremiah Trotter returned to the club. Now Simoneau's fighting for the outside job he held last season until he was sidelined with injuries ... which is when Adams stepped in. Adams not only played well during the playoffs, but he had a terrific spring. He's fast and fits the scheme perfectly. Plus, he's more physical than Simoneau, who seemed uncomfortable on the outside and who spent this spring recovering from ankle surgery. There's great depth at this position, with second-round pick Matt McCoy another possibility.

Edge: Adams.

Opening-day starter: Adams. The Eagles reached the Super Bowl with him here last year, and nothing happened between then and now to make you believe he'll take a step backward.

N.Y. Giants
Mike Cloud vs. Derrick Ward vs. Brandon Jacobs, running back

The search is on for a backup to starter Tiki Barber, and you'd think Cloud would have the edge because of his experience. But the smart money here is on Jacobs because the club was so unimpressed with what it had last year, it felt compelled to make a move -- drafting Jacobs in the fourth round. Jacobs is huge -- 6-4, 256 pounds -- and seems perfect for the role Ron Dayne couldn't fill. The Giants wanted someone to grind out the tough yards, and Dayne failed that audition. The proof: New York was 13-for-27 with third-and-1 situations a year ago. This guy could be the answer, and if he is the Giants can thank Auburn. Jacobs starred at Southern Illinois only after getting squeezed out at Auburn by Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams.

Edge: Jacobs.

Opening-day starter: I'll tilt toward Jacobs because he's big, strong and has a future.

Dallas
Keith Davis vs. Lynn Scott vs. Izell Reese, free safety

Let's face it, Davis should be the choice here -- but he's the team's best special-teams performer, and coach Bill Parcells is reluctant to tinker with that unit by starting one of its top guys. Davis should wind up the starter because he's superior to the competition. Scott made some starts last year, but he's limited. The Cowboys hope rookie Justin Beriault can work out, but Scott and Reese are the backups for now. My guess: Look for the club to try to convert someone from cornerback to safety to make this position a legitimate battle. If Davis is the starter, that means someone else must replace him on special teams. And while Reese has the experience, the Cowboys hope that Beriault -- a sure tackler -- will fill the void. Edge: Davis.

Opening-day starter: Davis. He's the best the Cowboys have here

Gmanc711 · 07-19-2005, 02:26 PM

I think the middle linebacker spot is more of a competition than the CB spot. I think its just figured that by midseason that Rogers will have cracked the starting role, and Harris, while still getting some quality PT, will take the back seat. I think the MLB is much more of an open free for all compeition. I'm going to be watching that closley to see who comes out there.

TheMalcolmConnection · 07-19-2005, 02:45 PM

I agree. I know we have a lot of DBs, but how many potential starting LBs do we have? I think it was 5-6 at last count. All of which have a legitimate chance of starting...

firstdown · 07-19-2005, 04:15 PM

I think the starting competion for mlb will be the biggest by far. The CB spot might not change hands as quick as we think. If Harris is performing well Williams will not be as quick to move Rogers into the starting role. It maybe 2006 before we see rogers in a starting role because of Williams tendency not to start a rokie. Rogers will have to show he belongs in that spot and Harris will have to lose that position to him.

GoSkins! · 07-20-2005, 07:33 AM

I agree. MLB is the spot to watch. Do these writers even know who they are writing about?

joecrisp · 07-20-2005, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firstdown

I think the starting competion for mlb will be the biggest by far. The CB spot might not change hands as quick as we think. If Harris is performing well Williams will not be as quick to move Rogers into the starting role. It maybe 2006 before we see rogers in a starting role because of Williams tendency not to start a rokie. Rogers will have to show he belongs in that spot and Harris will have to lose that position to him.

Good point. I think Harris will make it hard for Rogers to claim a starting spot this season, too.

The MLB competition is definitely the one to watch this preseason.

jermus22 · 07-20-2005, 05:11 PM

Don't know if this is a good list of contestants for MLB (somebody fill me in if I'm missing someone):

Lemar Marshall (may start opening day but could be backup OLB by season's end)
Warrick Holdman (experienced veteran with necessary skills; might beat out Marshall)
Mike Barrow (will he be healthy?)
Robert McCune (MLB of the future; could be ST beast)
Clifton Smith (I doubt he'll make the team; had potential but he used up his chances long ago)

jermus22 · 07-20-2005, 05:16 PM

I forgot Brandon Barnes, Brian Allen, Khary Campbell, Chris Clemons, and Jared Newberry (as well as a couple of no-name guys). I expect Allen, Campbell, Clemons, and Newberry to compete for backup OLB slots. Allen, Campbell, and Newberry could make there mark on special teams while Clemons might become a pass-rush specialist. I think Barnes is a long shot to make the team at MLB, kind of like Clifton Smith.

TheMalcolmConnection · 07-20-2005, 05:16 PM

I like that order. I would like to see McCune get into the rotation. He's another one of those physical freaks that you can only hope will be a gamer too.

mooby · 07-20-2005, 05:20 PM

yeah the only reason he was drafted so low is because his age. i hope we hold on to him, and if marshall doesn't work out, we get a couple good years from him as a starter. He is a physical freak who could start for 31 other teams, i just hope at the end of his contract he doesn't have a career year and bolts to another team, like another certain middle linebacker, but i won't mention names. *coughpiercecough*

TheMalcolmConnection · 07-20-2005, 05:22 PM

It would have been nice if maybe they signed Pierce to a longer deal from the getgo. Oh well. I just like the fact that we have a huge amount of depth

jermus22 · 07-20-2005, 05:37 PM

Yeah, I hope by season's end that McCune is the starter. I wonder if Barrow is being groomed to coach in the future.

monk81 · 07-20-2005, 07:25 PM

In addition to MLB, some have speculated that Rock Cartwright could be the odd man out in the backup RB and Special Teams role, so I'd say that would be something to watch during camp............

joecrisp · 07-20-2005, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monk81

In addition to MLB, some have speculated that Rock Cartwright could be the odd man out in the backup RB and Special Teams role, so I'd say that would be something to watch during camp............

...and, of course, what looks to be a pretty tight competition for roster spots at wide receiver. Will Dyson's presence threaten McCants's chances of making the roster, or is this the year McCants proves he deserves to be on the field? Is Antonio Brown really going to make waves at wide receiver like Coach Gibbs says he could, or is he strictly a return guy? Can Taylor Jacobs finally step up and become the starting-caliber receiver his teammates have always said he should be? Does Jacobs have enough talent and moxie to hold off what figures to be a strong push by savvy veteran David Patten for a starting gig?

Then there's the questions at safety. Beyond just the Sean Taylor issue, there's the injury recoveries of both Matt Bowen and Andre Lott to monitor and evaluate; the additions of newcomers Pierson Prioleau and Tony Dixon and their potential impact on the starting lineup; as well as the return of Ryan Clark, who established himself as a starting-caliber safety last season and wants to prove he's good enough to stay there.

That's really just the tip of the iceberg. That's what makes training camp so much fun from a spectator's perspective-- there's so much to absorb and digest, and it seems like everything's moving at a hundred miles an hour.

TheMalcolmConnection · 07-20-2005, 11:59 PM

Speaking of Antonio Brown, whenever I watched the OTA videos they always talked about him being a receiver and not just a returner.

07-19-2005, 12:55 PM	#1
Jamaican'Skin The Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kingston, Jamaica Age: 38 Posts: 2,418	Camp Battles Washington Walt Harris vs. Carlos Rogers, cornerback This is a battle for the job Fred Smoot vacated when he moved on to Minnesota. Harris, a nickel back in 2004, is the early favorite for several reasons: He knows the Redskins system, he's experienced and Rogers isn't healthy. Not yet anyway. The first-round draft pick has a stress fracture in his right foot, is in a walking boot and won't be ready to rejoin practice until Aug. 1. That puts him behind Harris for the season opener. But safety Sean Taylor didn't open last season as the starter either, and look what happened there. Rogers was drafted first for a reason: He has a raft of talent, and the Redskins envision him as a starter. Look for him to crack the lineup soon. Edge: Rogers. Opening-day starter: Give me Harris because his competition is hobbled, but expect to make a change there -- with Rogers the choice -- by midseason. Mark Simoneau vs. Keith Adams, weakside linebacker Simoneau was the Eagles' middle linebacker, but his tenure ended last year when Jeremiah Trotter returned to the club. Now Simoneau's fighting for the outside job he held last season until he was sidelined with injuries ... which is when Adams stepped in. Adams not only played well during the playoffs, but he had a terrific spring. He's fast and fits the scheme perfectly. Plus, he's more physical than Simoneau, who seemed uncomfortable on the outside and who spent this spring recovering from ankle surgery. There's great depth at this position, with second-round pick Matt McCoy another possibility. Edge: Adams. Opening-day starter: Adams. The Eagles reached the Super Bowl with him here last year, and nothing happened between then and now to make you believe he'll take a step backward. N.Y. Giants Mike Cloud vs. Derrick Ward vs. Brandon Jacobs, running back The search is on for a backup to starter Tiki Barber, and you'd think Cloud would have the edge because of his experience. But the smart money here is on Jacobs because the club was so unimpressed with what it had last year, it felt compelled to make a move -- drafting Jacobs in the fourth round. Jacobs is huge -- 6-4, 256 pounds -- and seems perfect for the role Ron Dayne couldn't fill. The Giants wanted someone to grind out the tough yards, and Dayne failed that audition. The proof: New York was 13-for-27 with third-and-1 situations a year ago. This guy could be the answer, and if he is the Giants can thank Auburn. Jacobs starred at Southern Illinois only after getting squeezed out at Auburn by Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams. Edge: Jacobs. Opening-day starter: I'll tilt toward Jacobs because he's big, strong and has a future. Dallas Keith Davis vs. Lynn Scott vs. Izell Reese, free safety Let's face it, Davis should be the choice here -- but he's the team's best special-teams performer, and coach Bill Parcells is reluctant to tinker with that unit by starting one of its top guys. Davis should wind up the starter because he's superior to the competition. Scott made some starts last year, but he's limited. The Cowboys hope rookie Justin Beriault can work out, but Scott and Reese are the backups for now. My guess: Look for the club to try to convert someone from cornerback to safety to make this position a legitimate battle. If Davis is the starter, that means someone else must replace him on special teams. And while Reese has the experience, the Cowboys hope that Beriault -- a sure tackler -- will fill the void. Edge: Davis. Opening-day starter: Davis. He's the best the Cowboys have here

07-19-2005, 02:26 PM	#2
Gmanc711 Thank You, Sean. Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Age: 39 Posts: 7,506	Re: Camp Battles I think the middle linebacker spot is more of a competition than the CB spot. I think its just figured that by midseason that Rogers will have cracked the starting role, and Harris, while still getting some quality PT, will take the back seat. I think the MLB is much more of an open free for all compeition. I'm going to be watching that closley to see who comes out there. __________________ #21

07-19-2005, 02:45 PM	#3
TheMalcolmConnection I like big (_\|_)s. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lexington, Virginia Age: 43 Posts: 19,225	Re: Camp Battles I agree. I know we have a lot of DBs, but how many potential starting LBs do we have? I think it was 5-6 at last count. All of which have a legitimate chance of starting... __________________ Regret nothing. At one time it was exactly what you wanted.

07-19-2005, 04:15 PM	#4
firstdown Living Legend Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: chesapeake, va Age: 60 Posts: 15,817	Re: Camp Battles I think the starting competion for mlb will be the biggest by far. The CB spot might not change hands as quick as we think. If Harris is performing well Williams will not be as quick to move Rogers into the starting role. It maybe 2006 before we see rogers in a starting role because of Williams tendency not to start a rokie. Rogers will have to show he belongs in that spot and Harris will have to lose that position to him.

07-20-2005, 07:33 AM	#5
GoSkins! The Starter Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Yorktown, Va Age: 55 Posts: 1,587	Re: Camp Battles I agree. MLB is the spot to watch. Do these writers even know who they are writing about? __________________ Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts. A. Einstien

07-20-2005, 05:11 PM	#7
jermus22 Special Teams Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Martinsburg, WV Age: 42 Posts: 334	Re: Camp Battles Don't know if this is a good list of contestants for MLB (somebody fill me in if I'm missing someone): Lemar Marshall (may start opening day but could be backup OLB by season's end) Warrick Holdman (experienced veteran with necessary skills; might beat out Marshall) Mike Barrow (will he be healthy?) Robert McCune (MLB of the future; could be ST beast) Clifton Smith (I doubt he'll make the team; had potential but he used up his chances long ago) __________________ Win it in the trenches.

07-20-2005, 05:16 PM	#8
jermus22 Special Teams Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Martinsburg, WV Age: 42 Posts: 334	Re: Camp Battles I forgot Brandon Barnes, Brian Allen, Khary Campbell, Chris Clemons, and Jared Newberry (as well as a couple of no-name guys). I expect Allen, Campbell, Clemons, and Newberry to compete for backup OLB slots. Allen, Campbell, and Newberry could make there mark on special teams while Clemons might become a pass-rush specialist. I think Barnes is a long shot to make the team at MLB, kind of like Clifton Smith. __________________ Win it in the trenches.

07-20-2005, 05:16 PM	#9
TheMalcolmConnection I like big (_\|_)s. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lexington, Virginia Age: 43 Posts: 19,225	Re: Camp Battles I like that order. I would like to see McCune get into the rotation. He's another one of those physical freaks that you can only hope will be a gamer too. __________________ Regret nothing. At one time it was exactly what you wanted.

07-20-2005, 05:20 PM	#10
mooby Hug Anne Spyder Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 20,446	Re: Camp Battles yeah the only reason he was drafted so low is because his age. i hope we hold on to him, and if marshall doesn't work out, we get a couple good years from him as a starter. He is a physical freak who could start for 31 other teams, i just hope at the end of his contract he doesn't have a career year and bolts to another team, like another certain middle linebacker, but i won't mention names. coughpiercecough

07-20-2005, 05:22 PM	#11
TheMalcolmConnection I like big (_\|_)s. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lexington, Virginia Age: 43 Posts: 19,225	Re: Camp Battles It would have been nice if maybe they signed Pierce to a longer deal from the getgo. Oh well. I just like the fact that we have a huge amount of depth __________________ Regret nothing. At one time it was exactly what you wanted.

07-20-2005, 05:37 PM	#12
jermus22 Special Teams Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Martinsburg, WV Age: 42 Posts: 334	Re: Camp Battles Yeah, I hope by season's end that McCune is the starter. I wonder if Barrow is being groomed to coach in the future. __________________ Win it in the trenches.

07-20-2005, 07:25 PM	#13
monk81 The Starter Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: TEXAS Posts: 2,029	Re: Camp Battles In addition to MLB, some have speculated that Rock Cartwright could be the odd man out in the backup RB and Special Teams role, so I'd say that would be something to watch during camp............ __________________ "It's absolutely criminal, in my opinion, that Monk has yet to be enshrined (in the Pro-Football Hall of Fame)" Dan Arkush PFW

07-20-2005, 11:59 PM	#15
TheMalcolmConnection I like big (_\|_)s. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lexington, Virginia Age: 43 Posts: 19,225	Re: Camp Battles Speaking of Antonio Brown, whenever I watched the OTA videos they always talked about him being a receiver and not just a returner. __________________ Regret nothing. At one time it was exactly what you wanted.

Camp Battles

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