Football
NFL Check-In: Training Camp Updates and Tony Romo Thinks Dez Still Has It
NFL teams are off and running in training camp and several former Cowboys have made already shown off their ability to make plays and headlines. But first off, the Dez Bryant summer of free agency continues.
Let’s jump right in.
Tony Romo doesn’t believe Dez is done
If anyone would know the ins and outs of Dez Bryant both on and off the field, it’s Tony Romo. The former Dallas QB and Dez hooked up for countless jump balls and scores during their time together. While watching film of Bryant’s 2017 campaign that cause so much consternation, the color analyst for CBS Sports says Bryant hasn’t skipped a beat.
“…Dez never was Antonio Brown with his route running,” said Romo “but, at the same time, people can’t do what Dez does to high-point the catch. When I looked at it, I was really seeing a Dez Bryant who I thought was still a very good football player. I think he’s 29 years old and I just don’t think at that age you just fall off a cliff.”
.@tonyromo says he didn't see any drop of in @DezBryant's talent level, while watching film from 2017.
Romo: "I still think Dez Bryant is an outstanding football player, and I think, if he goes to the right place, you're gonna see that this year." pic.twitter.com/zRY03lS19C
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) August 2, 2018
Shortly after he was let got by the Cowboys in April, Bryant reportedly received an offer to play receiver for the Baltimore Ravens with a contract in the neighborhood of three years and $21 million.
But Bryant reportedly wanted a one-year deal that he could play out in hopes of even bigger money. As of yet, no other team has made the three-time Pro Bowler an offer. Which has led to the Ravens apparently still the odds-on favorite to sign him. There has also been reported interested between Bryant and the Cleveland Browns and Antonio Brown made an unofficial Twitter pitch for Bryant to join former Pokes Mason Rudolph and James Washington in Pittsburgh.
The Mason Rudolph Hype Train Loses a little steam
Mason Rudolph hasn’t had a necessarily bad training camp in the context that he’s a third-round pick that is unlikely to be expected to produce as a rookie. But based on the notion that Rudolph could elbow his way right into the QB2 spot over Landry Jones and Josh Dobbs, the early returns weren’t ideal.
Based on unofficial stats gathered by Steelers Depot, Rudolph is looking the newbie part in the QB group earlier in the week.
Ben Roethlisberger: 41/60 (68.3%) 7 TDs 3 INTs
Mason Rudolph: 25/51 (49%) 1 TD 3 INTs
Landry Jones: 30/46 (65.2%) 3 TD 1 INT
Josh Dobbs: 27/43 (62.9%) 1 TD 1 INT
We’re talking about seven days of training camp, so don’t write the rookie off just yet. There is still plenty of practice left but several mouths to feed in the QB room.
Challenge is for Steelers to try to find happy medium in QB rotation. All four guys who need the reps. Days where Landry only throws four, days where Dobbs throws only 7. Rotation to try to to get everyone work.
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) August 1, 2018
But Rudolph doesn’t sound discouraged and a few missed throws aren’t enough to affect his already-touted leadership skills for a rookie.
Mason Rudolph already taking command of the huddle and the LOS. When a player is out of position pre-snap, he wastes no time getting them to where they need to be.
— Zach Metkler (@GZSports_ZM) July 30, 2018
Mason Rudolph is taking it all in as he starts his first #SteelersCamp. pic.twitter.com/X4t9jfL8iE
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 27, 2018
Washington Impressing Early
In the most unsurprising news out of Steelers training camp, James Washington is making people miss and snagging one-handed catches.
#Steelers rookie WR James Washington explosive play pic.twitter.com/4CVSeKAi80
— Steelers Depot (@Steelersdepot) July 30, 2018
Nevermind. James Washington just topped that. Sick one-hand snag over Mike Hilton on a fade. #Steelers
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) July 30, 2018
On Wednesday, Washington’s foot was looked at by trainers but any injury was apparently minor because he was at full speed on Thursday. And oh yeah, caught another one-handed catch on Thursday.
Throw behind him? No problem for @JamesWashington who made the play of the day for six on this one-handed stab. #DKPS #Steelers pic.twitter.com/43gcSt4GBA
— Matty Sunday (@mattsunday) August 2, 2018
Josh Dobbs to James Washington for the one-handed touchdown grab. #Steelers #SteelersCamp pic.twitter.com/W8UzzVWgiq
— Tommy Jaggi (@TommyJaggi) August 2, 2018
Dobbs to Washington. #Steelers #SteelersCamp pic.twitter.com/lgxUxoZfgE
— Tommy Jaggi (@TommyJaggi) August 2, 2018
Things look good for the rookie to possibly walk into Week 1 as Pittsburgh’s starter at Z receiver. Here’s some collected wisdom on Washington from those who cover the Steelers.
James Washington has done nothing during these first two training camp practices to show me that he won't be a solid contributor this year. @TheAthleticPGH
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) July 27, 2018
Impressive corner-end-zone work by Steelers receivers. James Washington, Marcus Tucker and undrafted rookie Damoun Patterson with slick catches in one-on-one drills.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 30, 2018
James Washington is good. That is all.
— Russell Clay (@RussellJClay) July 28, 2018
The Chris Carson Hype Train picks up speed
Chris Carson started off as Seattle’s RB1 in training camp and has done little to jeopardize his spot on the depth chart or his head coach’s fandom.
Know no one is tackling him right now, but Chris Carson is back from broken leg and looking the part so far as #Seahawks RB1. @thenewstribune pic.twitter.com/RC212ahbYD
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) July 27, 2018
#2018TrainingCamp Chris Carson @ccarson_32 @Seahawks 4merly @CowboyFB + Butler JuCo @ButlerGrizzlyFB pic.twitter.com/eVm1e3yKZu
— JuCo Football Forer (@JuCoFootballACE) July 29, 2018
Carson has been the most impressive overall back for the Seahawks so far and is even showing out as a receiver.
More LBs vs RBs. This is Chris Carson catching a TD pass from Russell Wilson. Bobby Wagner in coverage. pic.twitter.com/qzPz5OxwbJ
— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) August 2, 2018
E-Man Ready for a big Year 3
Ogbah was just starting to come on in his sophomore campaign when a budding chemistry between he and Myles Garrett was grounded by Ogbah’s broken foot. He’s healthy now and his is ready to make Browns fans forget about their team passing on Bradley Chubb.
“I know he is passionate,” Garrett said of Ogbah. “He was glad we got Ward to give us more time so we can rush. I know once he heard that, he kind of picked up the pace, knowing they were kind of shining a light on him. This is his opportunity to show that they made the right decision, and I believe they did. We are going to come out and make a name for ourselves this year.” [247Sports]
Among other interesting tidbits from Jeff, gotta love this:
“Emmanuel Ogbah was death to the offensive run game, unblockable.” #Browns https://t.co/8fbYqP9GGR
— BrownsDailyMockDraft (@BrownsMockDraft) July 29, 2018
Other Notes
• Lenzy Pipkins continues to make hay in what has become a crowded Green Bay CB group.
It's so great to see Lenzy Pipkins is living up to, possibly even exceeding, expectations at #Packers camp. Not bad at all for a guy who didn't even start playing football until his senior year of high school. Just might be earning himself the dime CB spot this year.
— Michelle Bruton (@MichelleBruton) July 31, 2018
Lenzy Pipkins is having a nice camp https://t.co/Lu6xZukaGa
— Jacob (@jlk150) August 2, 2018
• Tre Flowers is learning fast.
Def coor Ken Norton Jr, how’s rookie Tre Flowers’ shift from college S to #Seahawks CB is going: “Terrific…he’s a natural…he never makes the same mistake twice. There’s no limit to how good he can be.” @thenewstribune pic.twitter.com/AFtsvsHERr
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) July 31, 2018
Tre Flowers doing work pic.twitter.com/XnurjexLOg
— David (@David_Seahawks) July 30, 2018
• Michael Hunter is getting reps during camp as he tries to work his way into the No. 4 cornerback spot for the Broncos.
#Broncos CB depth is thin right now due to injuries to Marcus Rios (hip) and Tramaine Brock (hamstring). CHJ, Roby, Yiadom, Langley, C.J. Smith, and Michael Hunter have been going through extra rotations in #BroncosCamp
Rios did return to practice yesterday.
— Broncos Injury News (@BroncosInjury) August 2, 2018
A pair of former OSU corners are still competing in LA.
Rookie & tha Vet #Year☝? pic.twitter.com/obT6nu4sYr
— Ramon Richards (@chief_vii) August 1, 2018
Everyday’s a blessing. pic.twitter.com/yXnQPCycuR
— Kevin Peterson (@Pistol_Peterson) July 30, 2018
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