Rumors: Will Moreno Miss Broncos Camp?
July 27, 2009 by ptguard611 · 37 Comments
The Broncos and Knowshon Moreno were so far away from an agreement Sunday afternoon, one NFL source said there was “no way” the rookie running back from Georgia would show up today for the unofficial start of training camp.
Dolphins Players Rave About Pat White
May 13, 2009 by admin · 416 Comments
Several players expressed excitement about Pat White’s addition and the prospect of even more offensive creativity. Although Ronnie Brown loved operating the Wildcat, he said it was ”good” Miami drafted White and will not be disappointed if White assumes that role.
”This will take our team to another level,” Davone Bess said.
The Dolphins kept their approach simple with White at rookie minicamp but will add new elements for him this summer. Coach Tony Sparano keeps saying he likes how Brown operates the Wildcat, so White must earn that job and has the ideal skill set. Brown and White also figure to play together a lot in that formation.
”Ronnie can throw it, but Pat can throw it better,” Anthony Fasano said. That’s key, because opponents stacked the line and blitzed the Wildcat at times, unconcerned about Brown’s ability as a passer.
Patrick Turner Standing Tall In Miami
May 8, 2009 by Scouting The Sports · 5,141 Comments
But the Dolphins won’t care how many shoes he goes through if Turner – who has grown to 6-foot-5 and 223 pounds – becomes the kind of physically imposing, big-play receiver they lack.
Dolphins coach Tony Sparano already has expressed surprise at his agility. The former Southern Cal wideout has shown that he can cut quickly and separate himself from the defender, something that makes him not just a big target, but an open one…
…”I was not going to go out there looking stupid when I was trying to make cuts. I was not going to let that happen,” said Turner, who became a Parade All-American and Super Prep Elite 50 player.
At USC, he often worked with 5-11 receiver Steve Smith, who is slated to be a starter this season in his third year with the New York Giants.
“I was trying to be a big receiver who could run routes like a 6-footer,” Turner said. “You have to work on your craft.”
Turner was a reliable possession receiver for the Trojans, averaging 48.5 receptions his last two seasons and drawing comparisons to fellow USC alum Keyshawn Johnson. As a senior last fall, Turner was a particularly dangerous red-zone target with 10 touchdown catches – his previous high was three – in Pete Carroll’s pro-style offense.
At rookie mini-camp this weekend, Turner often was covered by second-round pick Sean Smith (6-foot-3, 214 pounds) of Utah, who in college usually covered the opponent’s biggest receiver.
“I’ve faced big guys in the past and by far, he’s much quicker,” Smith said. “What I expected to see out of him was definitely something else.”
Rookie quarterback Pat White also was impressed, citing Turner’s ability to use his height and athleticism to make a play on even a poorly thrown ball.
“He’s a freak of nature,” White said.
Eric Wood Making The Bills Staff Feel Smart
May 6, 2009 by Scouting The Sports · 500 Comments
“I just thought the people that stayed, we should appreciate them a little bit,” Wood told Louisville’s daily newspaper, The Courier-Journal, after he walked in the opposite direction of the locker room just to exchange high fives and handshakes with the faithful.
A Buffalo guy? Yeah, it would seem the 6-foot-3, 310-pound Wood is going to fit in pretty well in this blue-collar, football-mad town.
“We really like this player, like his demeanor, like his toughness, like his intelligence,” said Bills coach Dick Jauron of the second of Buffalo’s two first-round picks, No. 28 overall, which came via the Jason Peters trade…
Great stuff to be sure, but the main reason Bills fans are likely to love Wood is because he could become a vital cog in the revamping of the question mark-laden offensive line.
…”I talked to the coaches a lot about bringing that blue-collar attitude to the team; coming to work every day trying to get wins, and reflecting this city and the blue-collar aspects,” he said. “I’m from a blue-collar town (Cincinnati) myself and that’s what I’m here to do.
“It’s really neat to play somewhere that I’ve heard so many good things about.”
Mini-Camp: Mark Sanchez Impresses
May 4, 2009 by Scouting The Sports · 76 Comments
Add quick study to the endless list of praise being showered upon rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez.
As offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer entered Day 2 of the installation of the offense Saturday at minicamp, he said Sanchez has kept pace. He compared him favorably to quarterbacks Drew Brees and Phillip Rivers, whom he worked with in San Diego.
“The install that we put in (at rookie minicamp) is the exact same install we did with the veterans,” Schottenheimer said. “We did that for a reason. We wanted to challenge these guys. … Not to make comparisons, but (Sanchez) is really bright. Phillip was bright. (Sanchez) has the ability to retain a lot of information. He is working at it. It’s not something that comes totally naturally to him.”
Sanchez, who held another unscheduled meeting Friday night — this one with the offensive line to discuss protections — also has the ability to snap back from a poor practice. After a so-so morning session that he described as “decent,” he came out humming in the afternoon workout. He hit his first six passes in seven-on-seven drills and finished 12-of-15. He connected on 2 of 4 passes in 11-on-11 drills.
