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I made it to my first practice of the summer, but unfortunately no pads today. Lucky enough to have field passes which gives a better look at size and speed though it's tough to see the plays develop.
QBs
-I've read that Rodgers still has the best arm in the group in terms of putting zip on the ball and it's evident. The ball looks different on short and intermediate passes when Rodgers is throwing. There were a couple of throws during drills that he gunned in there and the receivers dropped (should've been caught) and Rodgers flexed afterwards. It was quite amusing and it appears that he is having a good time and fitting in with his teammates.
-I was hoping to see a little more connections with the deep balls, just not there quite yet. Then again, I was spoiled watching Ben and AB for all those years just dominate.
-Will Howard didn't wow me with any throws today, but he doesn't carry himself like a rookie. There is a confidence about him and he would walk down the sideline during team drills I believe telling the guys on the sideline the play. It was hard to hear, but something I hadn't noticed any QBs doing in the past.
RBs
-Not much to say here other than Warren/Johnson/Gainwell look to be a good group. They threw some passes their way and I hope these guys are used as receiving weapons.
WRs
-You hear about DK's size and then you see him. He looks like he's wearing shoulder pads even when he isn't. Watching him next to Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson, it's hard to believe they play the same sport.
-DK isn't going to win contested catches like Pickens, but he was a lot of fun to watch and is going to be dangerous for this team.
-Wilson had a heck of a catch beating JPJ today. He beat Porter deep, but Porter caught up as a ball from Rudolph hung in the air a bit long. Wilson had better body position and made the play to bring it in for the TD.
-Right now the Steelers have DK and then a bunch of guys who will flash here and there. Robert Woods had some decent plays, just no true WR2 on this team.
TEs
-I'm running behind Washington. His blocking looks even better this year.
-Washington is a real slow accelerator when he catches the ball. If he can get up to speed, DBs are not going to want to tackle him. Can they get passes to him in stride?
-Jonnu is at a different level as a receiver, so athletic for a TE and I understand how he caught so many balls recently. He won't put up the same volume in Pittsburgh, but I was impressed with what he can do in the passing game.
OL/DL
-No pads, not much to say.
-I think Black had a batted down pass, which you love to see.
-Unless I missed them, Watt and Heyward did not practice.
ILBs
-Patrick Queen blanketed Warren during a team drill and came down with an interception. Elite coverage skills were on full display against a pretty good receiving back.
-I love that Payton Wilson is basically going to be the starter alongside Queen with less rotation this year, or hopefully that'll be the case.
DBs
-Wow! Maybe the best CB depth I've ever seen on this team.
-JPJ looked good. He plays a physical game, not as handsy and has recovery speed. I'd like to see improvement playing the ball. He gives up catches when he's in position to break up the pass.
-Slay had multiple PBUs and could teach Porter a ton. Very impressed and he should be excellent when defending the red zone.
-Ramsey is a tone setter. Maybe not an elite lockdown cover corner anymore, but still looked very good. Ran his mouth after a rep against Calvin Austin. Completely unnecessary yet the type of swagger you sometimes like to see from your defense.
-Echols...yeah, I shouldn't have slept on him. I thought he had a very good practice.
-Clark will be okay, just don't expect him to keep up with anyone with speed.
-Thornhill had a pretty good day in coverage, I didn't know what to expect. More on him shortly.
Takeaways
-This team is energized, definitely a very competitive offense vs. defense environment in the best way possible.
-I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think I'm starting to like Aaron Rodgers. After years of disdain for him, his interviews and watching him interact with his teammates is actually cool. I saw him talking with Frazier and giving feedback to WRs who have no shot of even making the roster. He is way beyond his prime, but still awesome to watch one of the best ever play in the black and gold.
-Smith vs. Thornill - two fights in one practice. The first was after Thornhill got a hold of Smith's shirt, who eventually broke away and made a catch. Smith took exception to the holding and threw the ball at Thornhill which started fight #1. The final rep of the session put them against each other again. Thornhill locked Smith up at the line and then probably held again with the ball falling incomplete over Smith's head. After some trash talking by Thornhill and other DBs, Smith got right back in his face for fight #2.
-I'm very excited to see Fautanu back in the lineup. He doesn't have the length of some of the massive tackles in the NFL, but is built like a rock and just looks the part. It won't be long before he's the best OL we have.
-Derrick Harmon is another guy who looks the part. There is a reason these guys are first round picks.
-There is not a more passionate coach than Danny Smith. He knows who he's working with and he pushes the right buttons to motivate all while teaching. I know he has his critics, but he's very good out there.
-After practice I was lucky enough to meet a few guys: Jaylen Warren, Nick Herbig, Derrick Harmon, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and DK Metcalf. All were top notch.
QBs
-I've read that Rodgers still has the best arm in the group in terms of putting zip on the ball and it's evident. The ball looks different on short and intermediate passes when Rodgers is throwing. There were a couple of throws during drills that he gunned in there and the receivers dropped (should've been caught) and Rodgers flexed afterwards. It was quite amusing and it appears that he is having a good time and fitting in with his teammates.
-I was hoping to see a little more connections with the deep balls, just not there quite yet. Then again, I was spoiled watching Ben and AB for all those years just dominate.
-Will Howard didn't wow me with any throws today, but he doesn't carry himself like a rookie. There is a confidence about him and he would walk down the sideline during team drills I believe telling the guys on the sideline the play. It was hard to hear, but something I hadn't noticed any QBs doing in the past.
RBs
-Not much to say here other than Warren/Johnson/Gainwell look to be a good group. They threw some passes their way and I hope these guys are used as receiving weapons.
WRs
-You hear about DK's size and then you see him. He looks like he's wearing shoulder pads even when he isn't. Watching him next to Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson, it's hard to believe they play the same sport.
-DK isn't going to win contested catches like Pickens, but he was a lot of fun to watch and is going to be dangerous for this team.
-Wilson had a heck of a catch beating JPJ today. He beat Porter deep, but Porter caught up as a ball from Rudolph hung in the air a bit long. Wilson had better body position and made the play to bring it in for the TD.
-Right now the Steelers have DK and then a bunch of guys who will flash here and there. Robert Woods had some decent plays, just no true WR2 on this team.
TEs
-I'm running behind Washington. His blocking looks even better this year.
-Washington is a real slow accelerator when he catches the ball. If he can get up to speed, DBs are not going to want to tackle him. Can they get passes to him in stride?
-Jonnu is at a different level as a receiver, so athletic for a TE and I understand how he caught so many balls recently. He won't put up the same volume in Pittsburgh, but I was impressed with what he can do in the passing game.
OL/DL
-No pads, not much to say.
-I think Black had a batted down pass, which you love to see.
-Unless I missed them, Watt and Heyward did not practice.
ILBs
-Patrick Queen blanketed Warren during a team drill and came down with an interception. Elite coverage skills were on full display against a pretty good receiving back.
-I love that Payton Wilson is basically going to be the starter alongside Queen with less rotation this year, or hopefully that'll be the case.
DBs
-Wow! Maybe the best CB depth I've ever seen on this team.
-JPJ looked good. He plays a physical game, not as handsy and has recovery speed. I'd like to see improvement playing the ball. He gives up catches when he's in position to break up the pass.
-Slay had multiple PBUs and could teach Porter a ton. Very impressed and he should be excellent when defending the red zone.
-Ramsey is a tone setter. Maybe not an elite lockdown cover corner anymore, but still looked very good. Ran his mouth after a rep against Calvin Austin. Completely unnecessary yet the type of swagger you sometimes like to see from your defense.
-Echols...yeah, I shouldn't have slept on him. I thought he had a very good practice.
-Clark will be okay, just don't expect him to keep up with anyone with speed.
-Thornhill had a pretty good day in coverage, I didn't know what to expect. More on him shortly.
Takeaways
-This team is energized, definitely a very competitive offense vs. defense environment in the best way possible.
-I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think I'm starting to like Aaron Rodgers. After years of disdain for him, his interviews and watching him interact with his teammates is actually cool. I saw him talking with Frazier and giving feedback to WRs who have no shot of even making the roster. He is way beyond his prime, but still awesome to watch one of the best ever play in the black and gold.
-Smith vs. Thornill - two fights in one practice. The first was after Thornhill got a hold of Smith's shirt, who eventually broke away and made a catch. Smith took exception to the holding and threw the ball at Thornhill which started fight #1. The final rep of the session put them against each other again. Thornhill locked Smith up at the line and then probably held again with the ball falling incomplete over Smith's head. After some trash talking by Thornhill and other DBs, Smith got right back in his face for fight #2.
-I'm very excited to see Fautanu back in the lineup. He doesn't have the length of some of the massive tackles in the NFL, but is built like a rock and just looks the part. It won't be long before he's the best OL we have.
-Derrick Harmon is another guy who looks the part. There is a reason these guys are first round picks.
-There is not a more passionate coach than Danny Smith. He knows who he's working with and he pushes the right buttons to motivate all while teaching. I know he has his critics, but he's very good out there.
-After practice I was lucky enough to meet a few guys: Jaylen Warren, Nick Herbig, Derrick Harmon, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and DK Metcalf. All were top notch.
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