Rookie Watch

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Lance Kendricks is the guy that scares me the most out of the rookies on the Rams. Guy really knows how to get open underneath, and with Sam Bradford's underneath accuracy he'll instantly make plays, IMO. It's one of the reasons why I wanted to keep Manny Lawson.

Robert Quinn doesn't scare me at all.

 

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ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas confirms reports that Mark Ingram is "the only New Orleans rookie who is not being brought along slowly."

Ingram is getting plenty of first-team work in training camp, and Yasinskas agrees with the New Orleans Times-Picayune that the first-rounder will "get a lot of playing time from the start." The Rotoworld Draft Guide ranks Ingram as a top-15 fantasy back.


According to ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas, "the real hope throughout the organization" is that Cam Newton will be ready to take the offensive reins by Week 1.

Newton doesn't have to "light it up in preseason," explains Yasinskas, which certainly bodes well for his chances of beating out Jimmy Clausen and Derek Anderson. Coaches have tinkered with Newton's mechanics, but he's "handled everything well throughout camp." The Panthers have surrounded Newton with a strong rushing attack, so he won't be asked to carry the offense as a rookie.

 

[EaseUrStorm]

I remember an argument specifically being between AJ Green and Patrick Peterson which is the only wrinkle.

And that is a tough one. AJ Green is the better player imo but if you assume Patrick Peterson will be very very good it makes it tough. The key is evaluating how close those two are. There is much less risk in what you'll get out of AJ Green imo though.

If Peterson was off the board it's a clear no brainer. You take Green or get a team to blow their load with significant premium value in draft picks. AJ Green hits a rare feat of talent - he's so talented he'd make Alex Smith look decent.

 

[BINGO]

Saints’ top pick Cameron Jordan shows versatility on defensive line in first practice
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By Associated Press, Published: August 4
METAIRIE, La. — Top draft pick Cam Jordan has already been put to the test by New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.

Williams routinely talks of his preference for players who can handle multiple roles, and on Wednesday, he finally got his first chance to see what the 6-foot-4, 287-pound Jordan can do against NFL competition at defensive end and defensive tackle.

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At the very least, Williams seemed impressed by Jordan’s physical presence and raw ability.

“I’m real happy he’s here and he is one of those guys who just makes us look different,” Williams said of Jordan, who signed his rookie contract on Tuesday after missing the first five days of training camp. “Now he has to quickly adapt to the style of our play.”

Jordan will have more to adapt to than Williams’ coaching style.

He was raised in Chandler, Ariz., and played in college at California. Neither place has near the humidity that New Orleans experiences during the summer months, and Jordan struggled with it.

“It’s one thing just jogging around the little park by Zephyr Stadium, running around that track a couple of times, getting a couple of short sprints in,” Jordan said. “Putting on pads, it makes it a little hot on the inside.”

A four-year letterman at Cal, Jordan started 33 games and posted 175 tackles and 16½ sacks. He recorded 34 tackles for a loss, forced four fumbles, recovered four fumbles and had an interception.

He could be called upon to help immediately.

Saints coach Sean Payton said the team is preparing to start the season without top defensive end Will Smith, who could be serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s banned substance policy in 2008.

The Saints have defensive ends Alex Brown, Turk McBride and Junior Galette under contract, as well.

Because Jordan got a late start to training camp, he knows he has to catch up quickly — humidity or not — to his teammates, who have been learning since the lockout ended.

Not too long after signing his four-year, $7.7 million contract, Jordan was texting and calling Williams, trying to learn as much as he could before getting onto the field Wednesday.

Still, he was only so prepared for the constant barrage of quips and yelling that come from Williams’ mouth.

Questioned about whether his father, former NFL tight end Steve Jordan, gave him any advice before camp started, the younger Jordan laughed.

“I’m going in green behind the ears,” Jordan said. “You know how you’re about to learn how to swim so you take a step in and then you take a step out. Then you take waist in, come out. Then you go shoulders deep and then you start learning how to paddle? I got thrown in.”

For Williams, the question is how quickly will Jordan pick up the defense.

“He’s smart enough to do a bunch of things,” said Williams, who will play Jordan at end, tackle and in a hybrid end-linebacker position. “He just has to get over the information overload in a real quick time.

“And we’ll find out how good of an education he got at the University of California.”

Notes: Payton said the Saints have signed offensive tackles Alex Barron and George Foster. Both are former first-round draft picks. Kicker Jacob Rogers, defensive back Josh Gatlin and guard Carl Johnson were waived, and linebacker Jeremiha Hunter (right Achilles’) was placed on injured reserve.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

 

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The Detroit News has learned that rookie Titus Young's leg injury is to the hamstring.

Young returned to a limited practice early in the week, but he's been sidelined again the past two days. Though Young still has a positive long-term outlook, there are better uses of a roster spot in non-keeper fantasy leagues.


Coach Mike Smith still expects Jacquizz Rodgers to function as the Falcons' change-of-pace back after the re-signing of Jason Snelling.

Snelling has the look of a pure backup to Michael Turner whereas Rodgers will play the old Jerious Norwood role. "We envisioned Jacquizz as being a change of pace back when we drafted him," said Smith. "... We're going to give him every opportunity in these next three to four weeks to show us what he can do. To this point he’s done a very nice job."

 

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Jamison Hensley of the Baltimore Sun would be surprised if the Ravens trade for Lee Evans based in large part on "the team's increasing confidence in rookies Torrey Smith and Tandon Doss."

The Ravens are connected to every receiver rumored to be available, but they certainly don't seem eager to make a move. Doss and Smith have both impressed in camp, and the Ravens like the speed element the rookies are bringing to the passing game.

 

[EaseUrStorm]

I may have missed it, but any updates on Patrick Peterson?

 

[Ray_Dogg]

First throw of the game for TJ was a first down to Baldwin.

 

[NinerSickness]

Christian Ponder: Conservatively worked his way through progressions, accurately hitting all seven receivers, including four straight checkdowns to running backs.

Yep. That sounds about right.

 

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I don't know if any of you remember, but back on the ESPN boards I repeatedly said this guy was one of my favorite mid-round picks as a slot receiver type:

Sixth-round WR Dwayne Harris led the Cowboys with 127 yards and two touchdowns on five receptions against the Broncos in Thursday's preseason opener.

The highlight was a 76-yard catch and run, but Harris also did well to escape defenders on a 26-yard reception and a 10-yard slant. ESPN Dallas' Tim McMahon noted that the former East Carolina star is "already an upgrade over Roy Williams." One of our favorite late-round gems, Harris is ideally suited to the slot. He could give Kevin Ogletree a run for the third receiver role.

 

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Ryan Mallett completed 12-of-19 passes for 164 yards and one touchdown against the Jaguars in Thursday's preseason opener.

Brian Hoyer played the first half, completing an equally impressive 15-of-21 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown against a porous Jags defense. The Patriots may have the best QB2-3 combo in the league. Mallett showed off a quick release, cannon arm, and impressive composure in directing four second-half touchdown drives. It's clear that Hoyer is the primary backup, however.

 

[numone9er]

I still can't believe the Pats got Mallett in the 3rd round. I'm afraid to see how good they are going to make him. Brian Hoyer looks like he could be the next Kevin Kolb, all though that's what i said last year about Chase Daniel. Of course that really can't be tested until they get to see some real playing time.

 

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Ahh...Todman was one of my favorite backs in the draft.

Rookie RB Jordan Todman gained 30 yards on six carries and caught four passes for 21 yards in the Chargers' preseason opener Thursday night.

He was better than we expected. The recent failures of highly productive UConn backs made us wary of Todman even after watching him extensively in college, but he showed no fear running inside the tackles and has a knack for getting open on check-down routes. Todman was essentially the Chargers' featured player Thursday night, playing extensively after Mike Tolbert and Ryan Mathews exited. He's not quite Darren Sproles, but he's going to make the team.

 

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Patriots G/T Marcus Cannon (lymphoma) may soon be cleared to practice.

Cannon is on the non-football injury list, but appears to be close to his Patriots practice debut. It's far from a guarantee that he'll see game action this season, but his NFL future is again looking up after his stunning cancer diagnosis just days before last spring's draft.

 

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Mark Ingram carried the ball six times for 23 yards and a touchdown in New Orleans' preseason opener on Friday.

Ingram came off the bench behind Pierre Thomas, who carried the ball four times for eight yards. It's already clear which back is the Saints' best option, however, and Ingram showed impressive balance on his 14-yard touchdown run up the middle. He'll be New Orleans' starting running back in short order.

 

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No. 6 overall pick A.J. Green caught four passes for 29 yards in his NFL preseason debut Friday night.

Green looked smooth and explosive, and he's got an awful lot of natural ability. We just worry that rookie quarterback Andy Dalton will crush Green's fantasy upside. Dalton relied heavily on passes around the line of scrimmage Friday night, and there's reason to believe that won't change long term. Green's vertical skills could go to waste in Cincinnati's offense.


Andy Dalton completed 11-of-15 passes for 69 yards and an interception in the Bengals' preseason opener Friday night.

Relying heavily on check downs, Dalton was unable to capitalize on A.J. Green and Jerome Simpson's big-play ability downfield. Dalton settled in a bit after his first NFL pass was picked by Lions LCB Chris Houston, but this offense is going to lack explosiveness. Dalton played the entire first half.

 

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Julio Jones caught two of his four targets for 43 yards and added one rush for 12 yards against the Dolphins in Friday's preseason opener.

Jones stole the show in three series, highlighted by top-end NFL explosiveness after the catch on a 21-yard drag route. He added another 22-yard reception and was showcased on a reverse to boot. The starters didn't even play a full quarter, but the No. 6 overall pick was everything he was billed to be and more. Jones' game-breaking ability will help the Falcons passing offense reach the next level this year.

 

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Titans believe Locker has improved his accuracy | ProFootballTalk

 

[I_am_1z]

Julio Jones caught two of his four targets for 43 yards and added one rush for 12 yards against the Dolphins in Friday's preseason opener.

Jones stole the show in three series, highlighted by top-end NFL explosiveness after the catch on a 21-yard drag route. He added another 22-yard reception and was showcased on a reverse to boot. The starters didn't even play a full quarter, but the No. 6 overall pick was everything he was billed to be and more. Jones' game-breaking ability will help the Falcons passing offense reach the next level this year.

I've always given Julio the slight advantage over Green. Jones looks like he's gotten faster - Scarey

 

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Locker shows off arm, accuracy, poise | ProFootballTalk