Rookie Mini Camps have begun

[stoops the eternal pimp]

Bradford appears to have done well his first day after settling down some nerves...was given a very toned down version of the playbook and did a good job picking it up

Brian Jackson was picked out as a standout by Rex Ryan on the Jets first day of minicamp but later had some type of injury and was escorted off the field...from what I can tell nothing too serious..

thats all I have for now

[Mad Dog Madsen]

Has Tebow been named the starter yet?!? :D

[Widescreen]

Has Tebow been named the starter yet?!? :D

No, but he's circumcized his fellow rookies - including the ones that were already circumcized. He's an overachiever.

[swardboy]

Bradford makes good first impression

By R.B. FALLSTROM , 04.30.10, 04:12 PM EDT
ST. LOUIS -- Sam Bradford was so nervous about his first NFL practice, he woke up before an alarm clock (http://topics.forbes.com/alarm%20clock) set for 6 a.m.
Add in a bubbly enthusiasm evident by his high five with offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur (http://www.clanram.com/forums/autolink.php?id=62&script=showthread&forumid=11) during the opening practice of a three-day rookie minicamp Friday, and the St. Louis Rams (http://topics.forbes.com/St.%20Louis%20Rams) have to feel pretty good about investing the first pick of the draft on the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Oklahoma.

Bradford's summary: "It was a blast out there today."
After the first of two practices Friday, coach Steve Spagnuolo (http://www.clanram.com/forums/autolink.php?id=59&script=showthread&forumid=11) complimented Bradford's poise and take-charge attitude. The Rams issued abbreviated playbooks to their draft picks last weekend, and Spagnuolo said Bradford appeared to have absorbed everything.
Bradford refused to campaign for the starting job and Spagnuolo was noncommittal about the Rams' plans for easing him into the lineup, judging that question way too premature.
"You're way ahead of me," Spagnuolo said. "We don't have to play a game yet. Nothing preconceived."

That's fine with Bradford.
"I think it's way too early to start making those type of statements," Bradford said. "I've only gone through one practice and I've only seen a very small portion of the playbook. All I know is I'm going to show up and help this team win."
It was much easier to take charge with this group, too. The Rams invited 67 players to the minicamp, including 11 draft picks, but most players will be headed home after the tryout.
"I wanted to see his command of the huddle, his interaction with teammates," Spagnuolo said. "He's not around a bunch of veterans, so that's another test. He kind of stepped to the forefront, you could tell he was the guy that's done this before."
Bradford made a one-of-the-guys impression on the other draft picks when he texted them all to say he was glad to be teammates. Then he impressed them on the field.
"All in all it's like we've got a connection," said wide receiver Mardy Gilyard, a fourth-round pick from Cincinnati. "We're developing a nice little relationship."
Offensive lineman Rodger Saffold, the Rams' second-round pick out of Indiana, is Bradford's roommate for the weekend. Bradford even scores high on that account.
"Oh, he's very clean," Saffold said. "The first day is usually the day where, you know, 'Maybe I shouldn't have had this guy,' but he's real cool, real chill."
Shurmur and quarterbacks coach Dick Curl (http://www.clanram.com/forums/autolink.php?id=65&script=showthread&forumid=11) gave Bradford some telephone tutoring earlier this week, helping to ease the tension before his first professional workout. First workout since a season-ending shoulder injury last October, too.
"I was definitely a little nervous," Bradford said. "It's been a long time and I really wasn't sure how it was going to go as far as the schedule and the practice.
"Once I got out there, I felt really comfortable. I really enjoyed it, it was just fun being out there with the guys."
The Rams, 1-15 last year and 6-42 the last three seasons, are pinning their long-term hopes on Bradford, who's wearing jersey No. 8.
Two of the other rookies are wearing jersey numbers that used to belong to a pair of seven-time Pro Bowlers. Saffold has No. 76 (Orlando Pace) and Gilyard has No. 81 (Torry Holt).
"Why set the bar low?" Gilyard said. "Have me reach out for something I need to get. It keeps you hungry, keeps you wanting to be better, and be better and be better and be better and be more better and be more better, and eventually be the best."

[OU-HSV]

No, but he's circumcized his fellow rookies - including the ones that were already circumcized. He's an overachiever.

I heard he Baptized a few teammates on their water break using a combination of holy water and his own tears

[ouleaf]

First words out of Dallas are that Bryant, while making some nice grabs was easily winded and out-of-shape and had trouble completing all the drills. Also hearing whispers that Crayton and Sam Hurd want out of Dallas after the Cowboys drafted Bryant. Can't blame either of them really.


IRVING -- After his first official practice with the Cowboys, first-round pick Dez Bryant looked tired, slugglish and out of shape Friday.

Bryant dropped only one pass, and made several fantastic receptions -- including one where he caught a pass with his left hand only as if grabbing a nerf ball. He also made two leaping catches, but it was his inability to finish all of the drills that made people notice.

Bryant was bending over breathing heavy and spit up water several times during the mid-morning practice. He was drinking plenty of water during the session and there were times he stood with his hands resting on his helmet.

At one point, wide receivers coach Ray Sherman yelled at him: "Got to get in shape."

Following another drill, Sherman walked over to Bryant to make sure he was OK. Head athletic trainer Jim Maurer also spoke to the rookie.

"Just getting back in the flow," Bryant said after the 90-minute practice session. "As the days go on, you will see a lot of progression."

Bryant said he did better than he thought, but figured things will work itself out in time.

"It feels good; it feels great," Bryant said.

[OU-HSV]

...Shurmur and quarterbacks coach Dick Curl gave Bradford some telephone tutoring earlier this week, helping to ease the tension before his first professional workout. First workout since a season-ending shoulder injury last October, too....
What were this guy's parents thinking when they named him

[ouleaf]

Quick search and found out his legal name is Richard Curl, as I suspected. He's an older guy, born 1940, and for whatever reason a common nickname for Richard is/was Dick.

My grandfather's name is Richard, but he often goes by Dick. It's a nickname that seems to have been mostly phased out for obvious reasons.

[OU-HSV]

Quick search and found out his legal name is Richard Curl, as I suspected. He's an older guy, born 1940, and for whatever reason a common nickname for Richard is/was Dick.

My grandfather's name is Richard, but he often goes by Dick. It's a nickname that seems to have been mostly phased out for obvious reasons.

Ya I kinda figured Richard was the real name...however, in the 1940's when his parents would have named him wasn't "Dick" a common nickname at that time...I mean when your last name is Curl or anything different like that, why would you name a kid Richard when you know there's a great chance he would be called "Dick"

Geeze it must be offseason

[cvsooner]

The Rams drafting Mardy Gilyard was a brilliant move. That can only help Bradford.

[sooner59]

I like the Gilyard pick as well. He is small, but if he could be in the mold of Steve Smith, there is a lot of upside.

[OK2U]

http://www.nfl.com/videos/st-louis-rams/09000d5d817e24a2/Bradford-practicesVideo of Sam's 1st practice:

[SouthFortySooner]

I know it is kind of a commen comment, but, Sam makes me proud.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

Gerald McCoy had a good first day of
mini camp and took over as a leader for the group of rookies the Bucs
acquired during and after the draft..did well in all his position drills

[stoops the eternal pimp]

Not much on Jermaine except Marvin lewis pointed him and
Carlos dunlap out as looking good

[stoops the eternal pimp]

Keenan Clayton was told he would be playing weakside but practiced at strong yesterday.. I think the eagles overstocked on the wlb and Clayton can play slb some, so I expect that to only be through the rookie mini camp

[SoCal]

A player's performance on the first morning of his first NFL minicamp probably isn't a very good predictor of what kind of career he's going to have. Which is good news for Jets USC rookie running back Joe McKnight.

According to tweets from various reporters on the scene, McKnight's morning included missing a pair of catchable balls, dropping a pass while falling awkwardly and needing trainers to work on both calves because of cramps.

And, to top it all off, McKnight threw up on the field.

As we noted in today's one-liners, McKnight has been encouraged to follow veteran running backs LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene around "until they shoo you away." By puking on the field, McKnight may have found a way to make Tomlinson and Greene shoo him away quickly.

[Stitch Face]

Either Dez has really been taking it easy or the Cowboys have an asskicker of a workout.

[boomersooner28]

Gilyard is in camp with Bradford? Thats weird, because I coulda swore I just watched him return another kickoff for a TD in Norman.



:P

[OU-HSV]

A player's performance on the first morning of his first NFL minicamp probably isn't a very good predictor of what kind of career he's going to have. Which is good news for Jets USC rookie running back Joe McKnight.

According to tweets from various reporters on the scene, McKnight's morning included missing a pair of catchable balls, dropping a pass while falling awkwardly and needing trainers to work on both calves because of cramps.

And, to top it all off, McKnight threw up on the field.

As we noted in today's one-liners, McKnight has been encouraged to follow veteran running backs LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene around "until they shoo you away." By puking on the field, McKnight may have found a way to make Tomlinson and Greene shoo him away quickly.
I was watching Coach Ryan talk on NFL channel last night and he was talking about McKnight puking, but he did say when he was running (when he wasn't puking) he looked good.

[Stitch Face]

Photos from practice (various players/teams):

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/1005/nfl.rookies.at.minicamps/content.1.html

[stoops the eternal pimp]

Manuel Johnson looked really good in camp and was pointed out by Wade philips as being very improved.

It's old news now, but manny received a
game ball last season after Dallas beat Philly for preparing the d to play against d Jackson in practice

[Collier11]

anything on Iggy?

[stoops the eternal pimp]

Nothing specific to this camp but I have good news and bad news

Good news.. He has improved a lot in the offseason and mike martz is the o coordinator who likes to use multiple wr sets..

Bad news.. He is probably gonna start out about 6th on the depth chart and the bears aren't gonna keep 6 on the active roster.. He either will have to jump over somebody or one of those other 5 get hurt

[Collier11]

whats up with Ingram, any takers?

[VA Sooner]

Loving these mini-camp updates. Just missed the Sportscenter article on Bradford... will have to track it down on YouTube.

Glad Brian Jackson and Chris Brown got picked up.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

whats up with Ingram, any takers?

He visited with the Saints last week, but no word of contract talks yet...I know they liked him a lot

[fossil]

What were this guy's parents thinking when they named him

:D Think that's bad? I recall a car dealership (named after the owner, of course). It was called Dick Bohn Ford! Dick Bohn! How'd ya like to go through life with that moniker?

[sooneron]

It's weird seeing Sam with a different helmet. Gilyard will hopefully become what I think he is capable of in the nfl. The dude has a great attitude and has some wheels. Sam needs solid targets.

[MI Sooner]

When I was at OU, there was an "Anita Dick" in the phone/email directory.

[OK2U]

http://cmsimg.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=AB&Date=20100502&Category=SPT02&ArtNo=305020032&Ref=AR&Profile=1066&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

[stoops the eternal pimp]

Marvin Lewis is extremely pleased with Gresham who he says is a lot further along than what he expected...

Yet another player who says that there wasn't much difference from practice at OU and what he is doing in the NFL practices so far

[Collier11]

So, although early and mainly against rookies, our Sooners are doing great so far!

[badger]

Thoughts on pics:

1- They always capture Sam when he has weird eyes going.
2- While some teams write players names in ALL BORING CAPS, Tampa Bay decided to pirate-up their font for rookie name stickers on helmets :D
3- Jimmy Clausen looks less porcupine and more human after his draft slide.
4- Colt, however, does not change facial expressions. Ever.
5- Why is Tim Tebow smiling while passing? Doesn't he know that smiling is not proper throwing technique?

[stoops the eternal pimp]

So, although early and mainly against rookies, our Sooners are doing great so far!

yeah its tough grade anything now going rookie on rookie...Iglesias was gonna be a starting wr at Chicago until he started practicing against NFL corners and realized he didn't have the strength to separate since he didn't have the speed...

I fully expect Gresham to be starting in Cincy not so much because of how great he is, but how terrible their TE situation was last year and going into this year..

[Collier11]

you forgot the following Badg,

Mclain already has the look of a loser (simply cus he is a Raider now and it cant be avoided)

Brandon Graham looks like he just sharted

Earl Thomas looks like the guy who sang Humpty Dance

Its obvious the Tebow experiment has already failed as the Broncs have Demariyus Thomas playing QB already

[badger]

I also forgot to mention that I kind of giggled when I saw Okung standing next to a little running back (or possibly water boy or Make-A-Wish Foundation's 'be an NFL player for a day' recipient) in his pic. Completely dwarfed him.

Iupati struck me as someone who knew that everyone chose his pic as a "Grade F" pick. Didn't look like he belonged in the NFL at all.

[goingoneight]

First words out of Dallas are that Bryant, while making some nice grabs was easily winded and out-of-shape and had trouble completing all the drills. Also hearing whispers that Crayton and Sam Hurd want out of Dallas after the Cowboys drafted Bryant. Can't blame either of them really.

If they're favoring letting Crayton go before TFRW... I hate to say this, but they deserve losing talent.

Austin, Crayton, and if DB is living up to expectations thus far... I'll take Crayton easily over TFRW. But TFRW has a bigger frame and that ex-Longhorn thing going for him that those :texan:s are drooling over.

[ouleaf]

If they're favoring letting Crayton go before TFRW... I hate to say this, but they deserve losing talent.

Austin, Crayton, and if DB is living up to expectations thus far... I'll take Crayton easily over TFRW. But TFRW has a bigger frame and that ex-Longhorn thing going for him that those :texan:s are drooling over.

It'll be interesting to how much Garrett uses Dez at the beginning of the year. If he gets more than 4 or 5 snaps per game starting out, not counting KR/PR duty, I'd be surprised. Any more than that and I think it's b/c of influence from Jerry. Unless of course he comes in and immediately shows game changer moments in which case we'll see him as a starter fairly quickly.

I think Jerry is too proud to admit that TFRW has been a complete disaster thus far. TFRW has one last shot to earn his playing time and money as the No. 2 behind Austin. If, as a No. 2, he isn't averaging at least 4 catches and around 50 yd's per game with at least 2 TD's after week 4, then look for Crayton to move up to the No. 2 with Bryant, Hurd (if he's still around), and Ogletree battling for the No. 3 wideout.

[Collier11]

Chris Brown apparently released today, bummer

[Boomer.....]

That sucks!

[stoops the eternal pimp]

no surprise there...judging from his body language from the end of the season to this point, I was surprised he even attempted a mini camp..

[Stitch Face]

What was his body language?

[NormanPride]

He's either in terrible shape all the time or just doesn't want to work hard. He'd call for air after two carries sometimes. It really hurt the offense.

[Stitch Face]

I miss the days when AD was playing and he would breathe excess air into winded teammates during the fourth quarter.

[rawlingsHOH]

He's either in terrible shape all the time or just doesn't want to work hard. He'd call for air after two carries sometimes. It really hurt the offense.

That was #7.

[Collier11]

Inaccurate

[Sooner04]

I noticed DeMarco tapping the helmet a whole bunch last year too. It got to be so often I began to wonder if he was practicing that whole "rub the stomach, tap the head" routine.

[OK2U]

That's why Stoops recruited him--the tab 'n' rub

[jkm, the stolen pifwafwi]

I noticed DeMarco tapping the helmet a whole bunch last year too. It got to be so often I began to wonder if he was practicing that whole "rub the stomach, tap the head" routine.

are you sure that wasn't to have the coaches spin the twister wheel?

[stoops the eternal pimp]

What was his body language?

From his limited practices at the senior bowl to his "tweaking" of the hammy at the combine, he just looked like he was tired of football..You don't get cut in rookie camp unless your really really out of shape or you just don't wanna be there

[badger]

From his limited practices at the senior bowl to his "tweaking" of the hammy at the combine, he just looked like he was tired of football..You don't get cut in rookie camp unless your really really out of shape or you just don't wanna be there

didn't JD Runnels get cut early in Bengals camp either last year or the year before? Sometimes, effort just isn't enough.

[Stitch Face]

Sometimes, effort just isn't enough.

You sound just like my wife :mad:

[stoops the eternal pimp]

didn't JD Runnels get cut early in Bengals camp either last year or the year before? Sometimes, effort just isn't enough.

cut early in the pre season camp and cut early in OTA's are 2 different things...and runnels wasn't cut in OTAs..he had survived 1 or 2 roster cuts first

[rawlingsHOH]

I noticed DeMarco tapping the helmet a whole bunch last year too. It got to be so often I began to wonder if he was practicing that whole "rub the stomach, tap the head" routine.
Never in my life have I seen a player ask out as much as I saw Murray last year. Not questioning his toughness, because he's proved that by playing thru injuries and transforming himself into a very physical runner. But on many occasions I heard fans b**ching about "the coaches" taking Murray out of the game, in favor of Brown, when that simply wasn't the case. He was taking himself out.

[badger]

You sound just like my wife :mad:

Probably a very good reason for that ;)

I wonder if any other Sooner rookies will be cut early :(