I got home this morning in NY after watching the last 5 practices at Davie. I didn't take any notes so my thoughts are off the top of my head and will not compare with some of the great reports filed by some of the guys on here. So here goes...
I have been going to Training Camp since 1996..I have never seen a more organized, discilplined,enthusiatic camp!. Anyone who had any doubt about Saban should watch one of these practices..very little down time..running from drill to drill...alot of clapping..coaches everywhere...and I mean everywhere!. I have seen more coaching out of Nick..hands on coaching than I have in the Johnson/Wanny years combined. He is there after every play..giving little tidbits..or voicing his displeasure..I was in awe..after all of the sleepwalking practices I have attended from previous years.
I have never seen Sam Madison work harder. I have grown tired of some of his antics the past few years..but he is first on every drill...showing all the youngsters how it is done...and he is hustling!...I had to rub the sweat out of my eyes to believe it
Every practice Jeff Zgonina is the first one out...tapes up his hands..puts on his gloves...and walks to the far end of the field and works with the blocking sled...every practice.
This new punter we have has quite a nice leg...Turk is more consistant, and holds on kicks...but this kid is going to push him
Manuel Wright is going to be a player...when he finally gets into shape. On the last day I was there he finally got the dreaded red shirt off...and made some plays where he just exploded...then he would have to sit out a few plays because he was so winded and hot...it will take some time but he looks worth it(nice scene of Jason Taylor and some of the other Def Lineman encouraging him to get up at the end of one practice where it looked like he was ready to collapse...he didn't want to get up...but they cojoled and clapped and helped him finish the final drill
Talking about a prospect...you will find this amazing...but this kid Vickerson looks like a player!...alot of people just see him as camp fodder...he looked very good...know he has a bad rep...but man I was impressed with him...another guy who needs some work...but man..I was impressed
In the QB battle...I would have to give the edge to Gus so far..both are inconsistant..but Gus seems to be more aggresive and has a better feel so far...both make good throws and on the next both throw a duck into triple coverage...but if you had a gun to my head..it would be Gus
Ricky looks good..faster than you remember but thinner...needs to gain weight but still has some of those moves you remember. The past few days I was there..he seemed to be taking a lead into running through some drills and being the first one from station to station...and each day he seems to be more involved with his teammates..every day he has more of a crowd around him...good to see..when Ronnie ever signs...we have a glut of talent at running back...someone is getting traded...Sammy Morris does nothing but impress
Heath Evans will remind you of Rob KOnrad when you see him...looks like a better blocker...but with his number and all...you will love this guy
Randy McMicheal will have a big year...he gets everything thrown his way...and catches almost all of them..Chambers is a highlight film every practice...even Thompson seems to be involved..Boston looks to be in great shape...and is running fast...just doesn't seem to get many balls thrown his way. Bryan Gilmore has been unbelievable...he prob made more plays the days I was there than any other reciever...maybe its just a training camp thing..but he has stepped it up
I have so much stuff in my head, hard to remember it all...if anyone has any questions or wondering how a specific player has done over the past few days...please ask away...and REMEMBER...thses are just MY THOUGHTS..and the impressions I SAW...so please ASK AWAY
I have been going to Training Camp since 1996..I have never seen a more organized, discilplined,enthusiatic camp!. Anyone who had any doubt about Saban should watch one of these practices..very little down time..running from drill to drill...alot of clapping..coaches everywhere...and I mean everywhere!. I have seen more coaching out of Nick..hands on coaching than I have in the Johnson/Wanny years combined. He is there after every play..giving little tidbits..or voicing his displeasure..I was in awe..after all of the sleepwalking practices I have attended from previous years.
I have never seen Sam Madison work harder. I have grown tired of some of his antics the past few years..but he is first on every drill...showing all the youngsters how it is done...and he is hustling!...I had to rub the sweat out of my eyes to believe it
Every practice Jeff Zgonina is the first one out...tapes up his hands..puts on his gloves...and walks to the far end of the field and works with the blocking sled...every practice.
This new punter we have has quite a nice leg...Turk is more consistant, and holds on kicks...but this kid is going to push him
Manuel Wright is going to be a player...when he finally gets into shape. On the last day I was there he finally got the dreaded red shirt off...and made some plays where he just exploded...then he would have to sit out a few plays because he was so winded and hot...it will take some time but he looks worth it(nice scene of Jason Taylor and some of the other Def Lineman encouraging him to get up at the end of one practice where it looked like he was ready to collapse...he didn't want to get up...but they cojoled and clapped and helped him finish the final drill
Talking about a prospect...you will find this amazing...but this kid Vickerson looks like a player!...alot of people just see him as camp fodder...he looked very good...know he has a bad rep...but man I was impressed with him...another guy who needs some work...but man..I was impressed
In the QB battle...I would have to give the edge to Gus so far..both are inconsistant..but Gus seems to be more aggresive and has a better feel so far...both make good throws and on the next both throw a duck into triple coverage...but if you had a gun to my head..it would be Gus
Ricky looks good..faster than you remember but thinner...needs to gain weight but still has some of those moves you remember. The past few days I was there..he seemed to be taking a lead into running through some drills and being the first one from station to station...and each day he seems to be more involved with his teammates..every day he has more of a crowd around him...good to see..when Ronnie ever signs...we have a glut of talent at running back...someone is getting traded...Sammy Morris does nothing but impress
Heath Evans will remind you of Rob KOnrad when you see him...looks like a better blocker...but with his number and all...you will love this guy
Randy McMicheal will have a big year...he gets everything thrown his way...and catches almost all of them..Chambers is a highlight film every practice...even Thompson seems to be involved..Boston looks to be in great shape...and is running fast...just doesn't seem to get many balls thrown his way. Bryan Gilmore has been unbelievable...he prob made more plays the days I was there than any other reciever...maybe its just a training camp thing..but he has stepped it up
I have so much stuff in my head, hard to remember it all...if anyone has any questions or wondering how a specific player has done over the past few days...please ask away...and REMEMBER...thses are just MY THOUGHTS..and the impressions I SAW...so please ASK AWAY
