Training Camp Studs and Duds

[nobodyinparticular]

Every year team have players who break out with incredible training camp performances and players who flop like a fish out of water.

For the Raiders the past 3 years, Darren McFadden always made the defense look slow when running plays in shirts and no pads. He is up to more of the same this year. But he's not the TC stud of the year for the Raiders...

Stud: WR (5th round rookie) Denarious Moore is putting on a clinic so far in camp. Moore has not taken a day off as Raider TC Stud as he is constantly flying down the field for deep passes or coming across the middle on short routes. He may end up speeding his way into the starting lineup. If he and Ford start fir the Raiders, Oakland may have the fastest pair of starting WRs in the league.

Dud: WR Darrius Heyward-Bey Has been almost non-existent in training camp thus far. It took DHB a week just to get into camp and even after arriving in Napa he has hardly participated in any practices. According to Coach Jackson, the Raiders receiver has some form of an injury, but neither party will disclose the type or severity of the injury and beat writers in camp have not witnessed any limps, taped limbs or other signs of medical attention. After he was drafted number seven overall, this was the year DHB needed to step up. To this point the much maligned receiver has not taken the first steps toward a breakout year, thus earning the designation as the Raiders' TC Dud.

Who are the TC Studs and Duds for your teams?

[BufFan71]

Buffalo

Stud: Stevie Johnson/Shawn Merriman


Dud: Aaron Maybin- Can someone please explain to me why hes still in an NFL uniform
He hasnt made one play so far in TC

[Matthew Jones]

Originally Posted by BufFan71

Buffalo

Stud: Stevie Johnson/Shawn Merriman


Dud: Aaron Maybin- Can someone please explain to me why hes still in an NFL uniform
He hasnt made one play so far in TC

Shawne Merriman has been a stud for the Bills? Wow. Is it because their offensive line is incredibly weak, or what?

For the Patriots:

Studs: Taylor Price, Rob Gronkowski, Brandon Spikes

Dud: Jermaine Cunningham

[BufFan71]

Originally Posted by RavenOfProphecy

Shawne Merriman has been a stud for the Bills? Wow. Is it because their offensive line is incredibly weak, or what?

its not only him causing pressure in the backfield, but hes also been making impact plays, like recovering fumbles, tipped passes.

Our offensive line isnt as weak as the media thinks.

we are solid at every position except RG

[SuperMcGee]

Originally Posted by BufFan71

its not only him causing pressure in the backfield, but hes also been making impact plays, like recovering fumbles, tipped passes.

Our offensive line isnt as weak as the media thinks.

we are solid at every position except RG

That could be a bit of an overstatement about our line. Nothing debatable about Urbik's awfulness, though.

Merriman has been really good in the early going. They're giving him a lot of rest, though.

[hockey619]

Originally Posted by yo123

I like how most people's studs list is like 3 times as long as their duds list, and all of the duds are injured.

Gotta love training camp.

noticed this as well haha people only see the good until you cant NOT see it when the games start up.

[M.O.T.H.]

Originally Posted by hockey619

noticed this as well haha people only see the good until you cant NOT see it when the games start up.

Well, the majority of us arent actually attending camp. So we can only go by what we read. The names I put down, are just the names that continually come up through the media. Luckilly, the Dallas Cowboys camp is the most heavily covered TC in the league, so we have multiple souces to go by. But still, TC camp doesnt equate to live action success in games. But it def. goes a long way torward winning a roster spot and such. Right now, we have a bunch of young guys turning heads...hopefully they'll show something in preseason.

[Don Vito]

Originally Posted by RavenOfProphecy

For the Patriots:

Studs: Taylor Price, Rob Gronkowski, Brandon Spikes

Dud: Jermaine Cunningham

Steven Ridley has looked very good, so did Vereen before he got banged up. Apparently Mankins has been a beast but that isn't shocking. Lee Smith has received good reviews as the #3 TE for a rookie.

Another dud is Brandon Tate.

[Go_Eagles77]

Stud: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - I've been to camp twice so far and I haven't seen DRC get beat once. Granted, neither Jackson or Maclin has been in camp but he makes covering the WRs we do have look effortless. Has the speed to run with everyone and the size to go up and either bat the ball away or pick it off whenever it gets near him. Still can't believe this is our 3rd best CB.

Dud: Vince Young - Has thrown multiple picks (including one to Nnamdi) and is just overall not looking very accurate. Again, granted, he's not playing with first string guys and he's new to the system but he just looks lost most of the time.

[cvv84]

Studs:

B.J. Raji - Dominating in one on one drills

Randall Cobb (R) - Showing explosiveness early on

James Starks - Really coming on, looks better than Grant

Duds:

Brandon Underwood - Can't seem to take advantage of his opportunities

Charlie Peprah - Finished season as the starter but Morgan Burnett has been starting in camp

Lawrence Guy (R) - Tools are there but he's raw and a project

Guys who've vastly improved:

Bryan Bulaga - Looks alot better and stronger than last year. He beat the Claymaker a few times during one on ones

Erik Walden - Gives opposing tackles all he's got, could be a sleeper starter at OLB

Rookies to look out for:

Davon House (R) - Had really started to come on until a hamstring injury. Could be our dimeback this year with potential for more.

Derek Sherrod (R) - We're playing him at LG but he's a natural tackle. I think we have a keeper here.

Chris Campbell (R) - Playing OT for us, holding his own, a little project but could have come potential future to him.

[SchizophrenicBatman]

The Panthers media is hyping up Armanti Edwards

But the Panthers media is nothing more than a shill arm extension of the Panthers so I'm not sure what to read into that

[V.I.P]

Studs: Mike Williams

Duds: Aqib Talib (probably still covering from hip injury, or Mike is to beastly)

[billybeejr]

Originally Posted by V-I-P

Studs: Mike Williams

Duds: Aqib Talib (probably still covering from hip injury, or Mike is to beastly)

Talib is in camp? What happened to the murder charge? Wasn't he supposed to get suspended?

[Bob Sanders Dreadlock]

Originally Posted by SchizophrenicBatman

The Panthers media is hyping up Armanti Edwards

But the Panthers media is nothing more than a shill arm extension of the Panthers so I'm not sure what to read into that

As QB, receiver, or??

[SchizophrenicBatman]

Originally Posted by Bob Sanders Dreadlock

As QB, receiver, or??

receiver/ST guy

he's easily the 2nd best QB on the team though

[descendency]

Originally Posted by SchizophrenicBatman

The Panthers media is hyping up Armanti Edwards

I'd hope so, because giving up pick 34 (Ras-I Dowling) for Amanti Edwards was insane.

edit: I've read different things on Brandon Tate... Both good and bad.

[BloodBrother]

Originally Posted by cvv84

Studs:

B.J. Raji - Dominating in one on one drills

Randall Cobb (R) - Showing explosiveness early on

James Starks - Really coming on, looks better than Grant

Duds:

Brandon Underwood - Can't seem to take advantage of his opportunities

Charlie Peprah - Finished season as the starter but Morgan Burnett has been starting in camp

Lawrence Guy (R) - Tools are there but he's raw and a project

Guys who've vastly improved:

Bryan Bulaga - Looks alot better and stronger than last year. He beat the Claymaker a few times during one on ones

Erik Walden - Gives opposing tackles all he's got, could be a sleeper starter at OLB

Rookies to look out for:

Davon House (R) - Had really started to come on until a hamstring injury. Could be our dimeback this year with potential for more.

Derek Sherrod (R) - We're playing him at LG but he's a natural tackle. I think we have a keeper here.

Chris Campbell (R) - Playing OT for us, holding his own, a little project but could have come potential future to him.

to add to this, rookie TE D.J. Williams has been doing great so far to. Always reading about how great his hands have been and how good he is with his route running. Another stud so far has been OT Marshall Newhouse who has probably made the most progress from year 1 to year 2. Has done an excellent job at LT and doing very well in his 1-on-1's.

[bucfan12]

Originally Posted by cvv84

Studs:

B.J. Raji - Dominating in one on one drills

Randall Cobb (R) - Showing explosiveness early on

James Starks - Really coming on, looks better than Grant

Duds:

Brandon Underwood - Can't seem to take advantage of his opportunities

Charlie Peprah - Finished season as the starter but Morgan Burnett has been starting in camp

Lawrence Guy (R) - Tools are there but he's raw and a project

Guys who've vastly improved:

Bryan Bulaga - Looks alot better and stronger than last year. He beat the Claymaker a few times during one on ones

Erik Walden - Gives opposing tackles all he's got, could be a sleeper starter at OLB

Rookies to look out for:

Davon House (R) - Had really started to come on until a hamstring injury. Could be our dimeback this year with potential for more.

Derek Sherrod (R) - We're playing him at LG but he's a natural tackle. I think we have a keeper here.

Chris Campbell (R) - Playing OT for us, holding his own, a little project but could have come potential future to him.

Ahh crap... i didn't know the Pack drafted Davon House. That guy was on my 'steal' list of DBs in this years draft. Crap. I liked him as a prospect and think he's going to be something special for them.

[devinhester=R.O.Y 2006]

Originally Posted by Go_Eagles77

Dud: Vince Young - Has thrown multiple picks (including one to Nnamdi) and is just overall not looking very accurate. Again, granted, he's not playing with first string guys and he's new to the system but he just looks lost most of the time.

I hope the Eagles keep Kafka as their #2.

[Go_Eagles77]

Originally Posted by devinhester=R.O.Y 2006

I hope the Eagles keep Kafka as their #2.

I don't see that happening. Sure Young isn't looking all that good but he is a proven winner in the NFL, and that's why the eagles signed him. They need someone who can take the reigns of the offense for a game or 2 if (when) Vick gets dinged up and get some wins. Kafka hasn't proven that just yet.

[The Alex]

Originally Posted by Go_Eagles77

Dud: Vince Young - Has thrown multiple picks (including one to Nnamdi) and is just overall not looking very accurate. Again, granted, he's not playing with first string guys and he's new to the system but he just looks lost most of the time.

Welcome to my world for the past five years.

[killxswitch]

Colts

Studs

Tommie Harris - Gets into the backfield often, looks very fast off the snap, and has been making the OL look stupid. Not hard to do right now though. If he can stay healthy he should start at undertackle.

Ernie Sims - He was made to play in the Colts D. Has made several huge hits in coverage, knocking the ball out just as it arrives at the receiver. Just had his appendix removed but he should be good to go before the start of the season. He will likely start at WLB.

Justin Tryon - I don't know why the coaches are screwing around with Jacob Lacey taking 1st team snaps but it is obvious Tryon is the better player. He will start opposite Jerraud Powers, might slide to slot coverage depending on matchup but he should be the CB2 for sure. Fast, gets good position in coverage to swat the ball away, hits hard, just a good player. Great FA signing.


Up and down

Drake Nevis, Jerry Hughes - Both players have made OLmen look slow and fat, and both have in turn gotten stonewalled. Need more consistency, especially from Hughes since he is a 2nd year player. Nevis might be a good player but I don't expect a ton from him as a rook.

Pierre Garcon - he worked with Manning a lot during the lockout (supposedly) so his routes look better, but there've been conflicting reports about improved hands vs. still dropping too many balls.

Curtis Painter - One day he looks calm and delivers a strong pass, the next he gets jumpy under pressure and looks like Curtis Painter again.


Duds

Entire OL - The rookies look like rookies, especially going against our speed rushers. Our other OLmen look old or just not very good. I am not concerned yet but these guys need to figure their **** out quick.

Jacob Lacey - I keep reading he is either burned on a play or he gets called for interference/holding. CB3 at best, I hope Kevin Thomas or Chris Rucker unseats him.

[Go_Eagles77]

Originally Posted by killxswitch

Ernie Sims - He was made to play in the Colts D. Has made several huge hits in coverage, knocking the ball out just as it arrives at the receiver. Just had his appendix removed but he should be good to go before the start of the season. He will likely start at WLB.

Sims was a stud in TC for us last year too, then the games started and he was terrible.

[YAYareaRB]

They wrote an article about the guys that are impressing in TC.

http://www.examiner.com/san-francisc...k-of-practices

- WR Chris Hogan (#5)
Hogan has been one of the most impressive wide receivers that I've seen during camp. The undrafted rookie out of Monmouth has played consistently throughout the practices and had a very impressive outing on Friday, topped off with a 50-yard diving catch during the two-minute drill.

- QB Colin Kaepernick (#7)
Kaepernick is the wild card. When he was the top quarterback last week, he had an amazing zip to his throws and looked to be progressing well. But when Alex Smith came back in, Kaepernick's accuracy was a little off and he didn't seem to have a good grip on the short quick passes.

- WR Kevin Jurovich (#14)
Jurovich could become the team's fourth wide receiver. Having studied the playbook the entire off-season, he has shown his knowledge on the field with a great amount of consistency.

- CB Tramaine Brock (#26)
With Shawntae Spencer nursing a hamstring injury, Brock has stepped up as a ballhawk during camp. He's taking advantage of this opportunity and so far, has looked pretty good at it. He ended Thursday's two-minute drill with a pick six.

- S Reggie Smith (#30)
With the team's first offense, Smith has had his shares of interceptions and that might be what secures a starting spot for him. So far in camp, his ability to target in on the ball is what has stood out so far.

- RB Kendall Hunter (#32)
The backup running back job is up in the air and Hunter has emerged as the top choice right now. He's not too far ahead of Anthony Dixon, but Hunter's cuts at the line have been much more fluid. It's still an early camp battle, so we'll see if he can maintain his play.

- LB Larry Grant (#54)
On Friday, Grant was everywhere on the field. He was closing in on running backsand knocking down passes. His play could earn him a backup role.

- NT Ian Williams (#64)
At this pace, the undrafted rookie will be a lock on the roster. He has impressed me with his pressure with the second team and he continues to hold his own at the line. Williams was a late-round hopeful and the 49ers picked up a steal when they signed. He will be a solid backup if he continues to play like this.

- TE Vernon Davis (#85)
The team's top aerial threat in a tight end-happy offense. Of course Davis would stand out and he has made his quarterbacks look good.

- WR Ronald Johnson (#88)
The rookie has shown solid hands and has emerged as a receiver worth taking note of throughout camp. His footwork has also been impressive, which could help elevate his chances of moving up the depth chart.

- LB Aldon Smith (#99)
Every day, Smith continues to impress with his pressure on the quarterback. And with his long arms, he bats down passes with ease. At this pace, he could very well earn himself a starting job soon and make fans forget about the last player to wear his number.

- Head coach Jim Harbaugh
During practices, he has punted the ball, caught the ball, thrown the ball, blocked on a running play and even played imitated a shutdown cornerback. His hands on approach has helped the players understand and engage into the new scheme.

[phlysac]

Stud - Aldon Smith
It's been written about ad nauseum. I'm glade the article above mentioned others.

Dud - Taylor Mays
I have no confirmation of his failures on the field in camp, but he went from running with the 1st-team opening week, to now only getting partial reps with the 3rd team.