I love training camp. I love the whole feel of it, from the routine to the practice to the tape watching to the male bonding and especially to the late-night snacks. Camp allows you to really study the players on your team and the league and gives you time to work on your craft as an evaluator.
(Speaking of snacks, we used to have a chart at the Hotel to keep track of one of my favorite trainers and see if he could maintain a perfect meal record. It required going to breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack each day. At the end of the week, we would post his averages, which usually hovered around 89 percent. His performance easily won first prize every year, and I’m very confident he will win again this year.)
APWill Toomer be able to help Matt Cassel this season?
With the signing of Amani Toomer in Kansas City, I’ve been reading what a great move it will prove to be for the Chiefs. However, unless Toomer can escape bump coverage -- something he struggled with last season in New York -- Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel will be left holding the ball waiting for someone to get open. Same dilemma might be occurring in Pittsburgh, where Hines Ward must prove he still has the speed, burst and, most important, quickness to defeat press. Ward will need to show defensive coaches in the NFL that he can handle press or he’ll have a man in his face the entire game.
Many people feel Terrell Owens was dismissed from Dallas for his poor behavior, but just as important was his inability to consistently beat press coverage, which made him a liability at times and resulted in his termination. When teams rolled to Owens, he was not the same player, so the Cowboys had to motion to create space. Since the NFL is not the CFL, teams can only motion one player at a time. If you’re a team that has too many receivers who struggle to separate from bump, your passing game is going to struggle. In Buffalo, Owens will not face rolled coverage -- Lee Evans will. If teams don’t roll to Evans, he’ll put 100 yards on them before halftime. Trust me on that.
Camp brings the entire organization together -- all the scouts and personnel people get to watch practice. What used to make me laugh is when the scouts would run down to watch one-on-one drills with the receivers and defensive backs. What’s the sense in evaluating that drill unless it’s against press man-to-man coverage? Free access is not often found in the NFL, and watching a receiver run routes against off coverage is really not evaluating – it’s just watching.
When a receiver cannot escape press coverage in practice and camp, you can almost be certain he will not make the team unless he has a long history with that team and there’s another receiver who will see rolled coverage.
You love training camp? You should try it on the field. I did as a walk-on with the Bears in 1954. Talk about TOUGH. First they didn't think my 60 yard field goals were good enoughg to oust some bozo named George Blanda. Then they didn't want a tackle who could blaze the 3 yard dash in under two days. Now, that's tough. And, no snacks at all during my 45 minute training camp.
mike in md,
With all due respect, are you serious? If pioli thought crabtree was the right player for their system or better than jackson, they would have taken him at 3. GM's know that long negotiations are part of the deal when you draft in the top ten. Yes it slows the players' development went they don't make it to camp on time but what service does it do either team to get rid of a top ten pick before he ever sees the field?
Shane - if you read my post I DO want Crabtree & I was just throwing it out there JUST IN CASE there's potentially a problem if this holdout carries on too long.
I don't know if Pioli had planned all along about trading Gonzalez leaving him with only a 2nd year WR in Dwayne Bowe (I think that's the right WR I'm thinking they have) as their main playmaker as a pass catcher.
Cassel's gonna need some help. Like Lombardi said that's why their scrambling to find more receivers.
As far as Pioli taking Crabtree if he thought he was the better player.... I think Pioli thinks more in terms of WHO IS THE SURER MORE SAFER PLAYER when it comes to a top 10 pick, especially in this case being a top 3 pick. A SMART strategy IMO. Missing on 1st RD'ers is bad enough but missing on top 5 picks will absolutely kill you with the amount of $$$ it costs. You damn well better not bust. Crabtree might be the better player but he's too high risk...WR's are in general as top 10's. That's my take on why he passed on Crabtree.
In that case I probably took myself out of that argument for Pioli to consider that trade now even though he's badly in need of receiver help.
Great article.
Thanks
Mike, I hated camp and it is one of the few things I don't miss about the NFL. Camp was miserable and I couldn't wait for it to be over. Nothing like 2 practices a day in 90 degree heat with 95% humidity.
Mike,
Great stuff as always, but I do think you need to hear that. If I'm here reading every column, you know I'm coming back because of the quality (although I do wish you'd give Michael Vick a rest).
First, I'm not worried about Hines Ward.
Second, is there any way for fans to evaluate how our teams' receivers are doing in bump coverage? If teams are playing us tight is that normally an indication we struggle against it? I understand the use of bunch formations is another sign of O.C.'s trying to scheme away from the press. Anything else on an X's and O's side of things we can be looking out for?
"Free access is not often found in the NFL, and watching a receiver run routes against off coverage is really not evaluating – it’s just watching."
Mike,
Free access is not often found unless you were watching Ellis Hobbs when he played for NE. That guy gave 15 yards of cushion and then never closed on the ball....... If he starts in Philly, their secondary isnt that good.....
Michael, another incredibly insightful column. Your analysis of receivers struggling with press coverages is one of the best I have ever read as it says the individual attributes of a receiving corps are not as important those of the unit. It says personnel isn't just about getting the best players, it is about getting the best combination of players. Based on what you say, Owens should be more effective in Buffalo where he should help keep defenses from rolling up on Evans and get more off coverages himself. If so he could be a great pick up and Buffalo makes sense for him too.
Can anyone confirm the post above is from the REAL Tony Boselli? Please tell me that really is Tony and not some looser using a name that he thinks will get him some respect. I don't know if there's anything more pathetic than an guy impersonating a pro to get some attention.
Tony, if it really is you then it's great to hear from you. Wouldn't mind seeing you chime in more often. That being said, I seriously doubt that's the case.
I am loving all of the Chiefs coverage! Keep it coming!
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Aug 05, 2009
05:27 PM
Mike - I know it's still somewhat early since there's still numerous 1st RD'ers not signed yet but a fellow blogger friend of mine suggested a possible 1 for 1 swap of Crabtree for Tyson Jackson.
Just throwing it out there.
I WANT CRABTREE BUT IF we can't get him signed what do you think?
I think it makes logical sense. KC needs a playmaker for Cassel & Jackson could solidify one side of our 3-4 DL. Plus they both have the same agent in Eugene Parker. Could Pioli have 2nd thoughts? The snag in $$$ being fought over should solve themselves. (Worse for Jackson but I don't think he forecasted himself being taken #3.)
I just hope this doesn't carry on for much longer. It just doesn't look good for Crabtree & is starting to show that he's more greedy than wanting to get on the field & play football & start learning his craft.