Another full-pad workout in steamy conditions. Fun times.
Studs
QB Todd Collins. Threw the only touchdown pass in the red zone portion of practice. Also hit Antwaan Randle El on a deep post (he went past Michael Grant, getting him on quick step to the outside and a cut back inside).
OT Stephon Heyer. Did a better job today, working at both tackle spots (Devin Clark went out with a knee injury). Did not see Heyer getting beat. He’s been much more consistent than the other tackle candidates. Would still like to see him getting to the second level. But his play improves whenever Randy Thomas is next to him.
DE Andre Carter. Showed his quickness on a stunt to the inside, coming clean. He pulled up, otherwise he would have recorded a sack. Carter also got inside Jeremy Bridges in nine-on-nine work.
DT Cornelius Griffin. Just moved Chad Rinehart back on one rush, displaying his strength. Griff looks healthier this camp and it shows in his play.
WR Marko Mitchell. Still has a ways to go, but caught a slant pass from Todd Collins and a deep ball from Jason Campbell. One knock on Mitchell in college was his inconsistent hands, but that hasn’t been an issue this camp.
Duds
QB Colt Brennan. Stared down tight end Todd Yoder on a pass to the back of the end zone, allowing linebacker H.B. Blades to read the play and intercept the pass. One player earlier, Brennan had tried to throw a fade to Malcolm Kelly, but the pass was broken up by Justin Tryon. If a pass to a 6-foot-4 receiver with long arms is getting broken up by a guy who is 5-foot-9, that’s a problem. The throw was too shallow. It was a good play by Tryon, but in that matchup he should have no chance at the ball if it’s thrown right.
Red Zone offense. The first and second units combined for one touchdown on four possessions inside the 20. The only touchdown came when Todd Collins connected with D.J. Hackett, who caught the ball over Tryon (who failed to turn and find the ball).
LT Chris Samuels. Was beaten by Brian Orakpo, who quickly got underneath his pads on one play. Samuels is being challenged more this camp than in a long time thanks to Orakpo and Albert Haynesworth. In a one-on-one matchup today, Haynesworth got into Samuels’ pads and walked him back on the first time. Samuels stoned him for a second on their next battle, but Haynesworth managed to get the edge. But it’s debatable who won that one. Later allowed Alex Buzbee too much of the edge in a rush.
RG Chad Rinehart. Have to say that he looked better in full-team work than he did in one-on-ones. So that’s a start. It’s tough for him in one-on-one situations because he’s often not as athletic as the guy he’s facing. Maybe that’s why Jeremy Jarmon got him twice in those settings. Got him to the inside the first time and then the outside, going low and quick.
RT Mike Williams. Sprained ankle makes him questionable for Saturday’s game vs. Pittsburgh. All these nagging injuries will start to slow any progress he makes. Lucky for him no one else looks good as the backup right tackle.
