O K - Training Camp is coming up and could someone give me a rookie review ?

[Joshua]

Per Profootballweekly.com's "The Way We Hear It" section -

Keep an eye on the development of rookie CB Antwaun Molden throughout the summer. Molden, a third-round pick from Eastern Kentucky, is likely to be a backup, with ex-Cowboys CB Jacques Reeves settling in as the starter opposite of second-year pro Fred Bennett. However, we're hearing it will not be a surprise if Molden eventually pushes Reeves, and perhaps sooner than later. Molden has played well in his early workouts with the club, and Bennett's ascension to the starting lineup — and impressive development as a rookie — is a reflection of the Texans' ability to develop young cornerbacks. Reeves started 13 games for Dallas last season but was picked on at times.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW...HI/default.htm

[coloradodude]

Originally Posted by Joshua

Reeves started 13 games for Dallas last season but was picked on at times.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW...HI/default.htm

You start getting the reputation for getting picked...

[cadams]

i like the sound of that. i had kind of figured moulden would have a shot at being at least the nickle back by the middle of the season.

[KJ3]

i have to believe no news is good news for LT duane brown. right now anyway. if he starts all 16 games his impact is fair.

molden's physical frame and workout numbers are impressive at CB, but being from a small school is going to take him probably a tad longer to get used to the nfl. if he starts not due to injury i'd say his impact is fair too.

slaton is probably the 3rd down back if he can block. starter if our RB situation goes completely to hell. little impact expected.

adibi finds himself in a part of a drastic turnaround of LB depth and quality. of course demeco and greenwood (one more year of THAT contract) get theirs but who between diles, adibi, bentley, thompson or the recently signed rosevelt colvin gets a spot? more importantly, does anyone get cut? if he's a demon on special teams he'll have earned his keep like diles did last year. little impact expected this year.

big frank okam can make it happen if he wants it to happen. here's to hoping he does! if he can be the "force in the middle" against the run i'd say his impact is huge. the difference in games even.

barber is in a numbers game at safety. probably a practice squader. no impact.

alex brink is a shot in the dark that he turns into tom brady or at least someone who we can get some early round picks for. both possible impacts just listed.

[Bigtinylittle]

Granted Smith and Kubiak were a bit under the gun because of the Dunte situation when they signed Reeves, but until it is proved otherwise, I am going to believe they have the ability to judge whether Reeves can play football. From what i understand, Reeves is going to play a different style of defense with us than he did with the Boys. He is going to play press coverage much more, something he apparently excells at. So I will be surprised if, barring injury, Reeves gets beat out by a third round rookie.

Slaton, again barring injury, I expect to see only in spot duty, mainly third down, but possibly on other downs just to give a different look.

Adibi's strength is, from what I have heard, more in the passing game than the running game. Given that our starting OLB's are the opposite of that, I wouldn't be surprised to see him contributing some on passing downs.

Brown supposedly excelled more on run blocking than pass blocking in college, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him in there in some running situations. Barring injury, I see him as a reserve this year, though I could see it going either way.

Okam is a wild card. If he comes into camp in shape and works very hard, I can see him getting the most playing time of any rookie. He has the size and quickness to be a run stopper, something our DT's were below average at last year. In a sense, he is the only rookie who has a clear path to being a starter. It just comes down to whether he is willing to work hard at mastering the art of being an immovable object.

I won't be surprised if a couple of rookies, either draftees or UDFA's, end up on IR like Harrison did last year.

[edo783]

Originally Posted by Bigtinylittle

I won't be surprised if a couple of rookies, either draftees or UDFA's, end up on IR like Harrison did last year.

Your not suggesting that we hide rookies on the IR........Oh my.

[kRocket]

Thanks guys. I am getting the impression that even if we don't have many immediate impact players that the draft was solid and should fill some needs. It should be interesting this year watching them develop. Personally the guy I would like to see contribute most is Frank Okam. I think he could fill a run-stopper need that was lacking last year. I think Okoye will have a good year if not spectacular and with Mario shaping up to come breathing fire we could have the beginnings of a superior D Line. Let us hope! Thanks for the input.

[KJ3]

Originally Posted by Bigtinylittle

Brown supposedly excelled more on run blocking than pass blocking in college, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him in there in some running situations. Barring injury, I see him as a reserve this year, though I could see it going either way.
.

.....so....they are going to switch him and ephraim out to indicate to the defenses whether it's a run or pass?

dude, you know he is currently the starter, right? they gave him the job already, it's his to lose.

[Bigtinylittle]

It makes all the sense in the world right now to put Brown with the first team so he can get the reps and so he can go against Mario. But don't be fooled by that. Kubes is in no way saying that Brown is right now better than Salaam. Salaam doesn't need reps with the first team at this point. Brown does. If the first regular season game was today, I'd be willing to bet good money that Salaam would get the start.

As far a tipping off the other team when you change personnel, teams have used different personnel for different situations for as long as I can remember. Why do you think Brunner is on our team. When he comes in, isn't that tipping the defense? Just because it is a running situation doesn't mean it will be a run. If it is third and fifteen and the coaches think Salaam is a better pass blocker than Brown, they aren't going to risk Schaubs career just because Brown is a first round pick. In that sitiation, if Brown is on the field it will be for only one reason-because he earned it.
But on the other hand, if it is a running SITUATION, DL's aren't going to just pin back their ears and go all out on a pass rush. That doesn't mean the play won't be a pass, just that it isn't an OBVIOUS passing situation. Brown should find it easier to handle that kind of situation.
What I am saying is that if Brown beats out Salaam, it will mean that Kubes thinks he is ready to handle NFL speed rushers. That's something that very few rookie LT's are able to do from day one. Some teams even start guys out on the right side knowing that they eventually want to move them to the left when they are ready.
I personally hope Brown beats out Salaam in training camp. It will mean Kubes/Smith made a pretty solid first round pick.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by KJ3

.....so....they are going to switch him and ephraim out to indicate to the defenses whether it's a run or pass?

That is a Dom Capers move - He did that with Seth Wand a few years ago against be Bears. We were such a JV team/organization back then.

dude, you know he is currently the starter, right? they gave him the job already, it's his to lose.

KJ, I agree with this. However as you point out in another post, if he is not ready and cannot handle the job, Salaam will be the starter. They will give him help with the backs and TE's chipping until he can handle it. Heck, Kubes trusted Charles Spencer so I have do doubt, if he feels Brown can handle it, then he will be the LT.