NFL Training Camp Notes, 8/12/2021
Updates for every team
Training Camp Notes
Lions: P Jack Fox has “it” with his moonshot punts. Fox could emerge as the NFL’s best punter. He was a rookie in the Pro Bowl last season. DT Levi Onwuzurike has been dealing with a back injury and third round DT Alim McNeil is one of the standouts of all training camps, so it seems an early order has been established for Detroit’s rookie tackles.
Ravens: CB Chris Westry “continues to make a strong argument to make the final roster.” Injuries could propel training camp star WR James Proche II into action earlier than expected.
Bengals: CB Chidobe Awuzie could be the “player of camp” so far. QB Joe Burrow and WR Ja’Marr Chase are said to be improving this week.
Bucs: Rookies DE Joe Tryon, QB Kyle Trask, and WR Jaelon Darden stand out.
Giants: LT Nate Solder has had a “pretty damn good camp” according to Joe Judge.
Vikings: DE D.J. Wonnum “continues to impress.” WR K.J. Osborn could win the WR3 job.
Texans: Rookie QB Davis Mills has been one of the more criticized players this month, maybe because Houston is in such dire straights at the position. But he reportedly is getting better.
Rams: Sean McVay is pleased with Xavier Jones in camp. I still think Jake Funk might win the RB2 role.
Jaguars: Said a team reporter this week, “I haven't spent a lot of time writing about the quarterback in this space. Why tell people what they already knew? But QB Trevor Lawrence was so astoundingly good Wednesday I couldn't pass up the chance. His sense of timing, touch, anticipation and understanding of what's going on around him make him look like a seasoned veteran instead of a really talented rookie. The kid is so talented you just don't ever get tired of watching, but you're always amazed he can show you something else.”
Jaguars: Shout outs for TE James O’Shaughnessy, CB Tyson Campbell, WR Tavon Austin, LB Jordan Smith. OT Walker Little has been “very impressive” and is pushing for a role, even though he is a second round rookie on a team with two starting tackles.
49ers: The team is happy with Raiders’ castoffs DE Arden Key and DT Maurice Hurst.
Eagles: CB Darius Slay says that WR Quez Watkins is having an awesome camp. Expectations out of Philly are that while they may struggle on offense, the Eagles could have a top-5 defense.
Chargers: WR Josh Palmer is “looking good” in camp.
Browns: CB Greg Newsome II went from the draft’s highest-rated cornerback to going 26th overall after some injury concerns pushed him down the board. But there have been no complaints out of Cleveland it seems they could have a steal. S Grant Delpit, who missed all of 2020 with a ruptured Achilles, has barely practiced this year because of a hamstring issue and he may not be ready for Week 1.
Jets: Reminder that some media members report QB stats from PRACTICE and I don’t think that serves fans well, because fans can’t separate practice stats from a real game. Practice stats should not exist or be reported and here is why:
Bears: People keep evaluating Justin Fields by saying he has a good arm. Nobody ever questioned if he has a good arm. Can he go through his progressions? Master a playbook? Avoid interceptions? Throw into tight windows? Know when to run vs when to pass? Beat a top-5 NFL defense? Beat any NFL defense? Let’s see him play in a game first, at least. A few games. A season. But no, people can’t wait. They’ve already crowned him and that does Fields no favors.
Saints: DE Noah Spence has been “shining” in practice.
Broncos: 5 players trending up: RB Melvin Gordon, G Netane Muti, WR Jerry Jeudy, DT McTelvin Agim, LB Justin Strnad. The team also believes that DL Dre’Mont Jones could have a breakout season in year two. CB Pat Surtain ‘continues to impress.’
Dolphins: Cornerbacks coach Charles Burks called out CB Javaris Davis as a player who impressed in camp.
Bills: WR Cole Beasley could be ‘the best slot player in the league’ according to a teammate. RB Matt Breida ‘looks like the real deal.’ TE Dawson Knox is having a good camp, per Sean McDermott.
Patriots: RB J.J. Taylor could make the team in a crowded backfield.
Raiders: Rookie CB Nate Hobbs might be in the lead to start at nickel.
More soon