O.T.A.'s are one thing, but I never know what the media means when they say that Training Camp is going well, BEFORE the hitting has started. Yet another example is this article here: http://www.csnbayarea.com/blog/scott-bair/camp-report-raiders-and-running-well .
A team's personality is still encased in marble prior to hitting. By hitting I don't just mean Defense, I mean Offensive hitting as well. How often do your O-linemen resort to cut blocks? Can anyone stonewall the team's dominant pass rush artist one-on-one? How often does the scheme resort to double teams? What sort do they use when they do? Every zone-blocking team does some power blocking and vice versa. How often does the team leave it's bread and butter? When they do is it to "shake up" the other side, or is it to simply sprinkle in enough versatility to keep the other side honest? Are receivers springing the backs for extra yardage? What does blitz pick-up look like beyond your starting RB?
Your team's personality is carved anew out of that marble, every year. So how can anyone tell how well it's going in gym shorts?
Wake me when it's contact.
With the Raiders you have a a physical (tough) style on either side of the ball, and it's staffed by physical, prideful guys. Our (underrated) DT's pride themselves as run-stuffers, our LB's are ALL known as hitters and/or tackling machines; the O-line is HAPPY to be getting back to the power system they excelled at. The RB is happy to be going back to a power set. The TE's (that we kept, not the ones we drafted) are all more blockers than receivers. From system to personnel, you can SEE what the coaching staff is hoping emerges as a personality.
The Eagles have an Offensive system that is not generally seen as physical (tough), but is repeatedly called athletic and/or fast. Defensively who knows. The Offensive players (largely Reid holdovers) are NOT know to be physical. In fact, the O-line is was reduced in size to make them quicker for Mudd's blocking scheme. I'd say that Celek was a tough guy, but he's now in a crowded situation regarding playing time. Don't even get me started about the Defense.
But like I said before: There's yet some carving to be done.
I'm not to sure if the Ravens are going to be "that" team this year. Lewis, Boldin, Reed. I think they lost a lot of their reason to swagger this offseason. I think when gameday rolls around they'll act the part, but I foresee a LOT of seeing them get punched in the mouth this year. I like Suggs and Upshaw, I LOVE (local product) Bernard Pierce; but I see them as a Flacco/Rice production now. Hardly imposing.
Desean was nasty. No one could cover him on any route and he actually ran more than go routes. Cooper had great catches all day long and may be about to turn the corner. Avant did his thing. Johnson was making plays. Ertz looked good celek n harbor looked horrible.
The lines were the only people hitting until the end when things got testy. I wasn't impressed by the dline no one stood out. The o line was able to make holes and shady n Polk were finding them n blowing through them. Polk was a standout today. Shady was a beast.
The dline was nothing special. The LBs were good besides cole. Ryans was stepping up against the run and would of had some tackles if they would have tackled. Kendricks was everywhere great coverage and run support. Barwin had good pass rush. The cole n graham side seems one sided. Even in drills watching them drop u could tell cole was struggling. Graham on the other hand looks like he was born for this. He looked so fluid in his movement it was amazing.
The only DB that stood out to me was Kenny Phillips. He was able to cover n get his hands on balls. Marsh looked better than expected and boykins was handling momah. Although when momah was allowed to run something other than a go n Vick seen him ( foles ignored him all day even when open n on a go against boykins) he made the catch n turnt up field throwing boykins to the ground with ease. For the most part boykins was able to hang with the giant which was good to see because other big wr were killing him last year.
Thought I would post this here too
Momaaaaaahhhhhh. Tossin' Boykin.