Tag: 2022 training camp

Cowboys 53-man roster prediction as 2022 training camp opens

The expected roster cuts include two defensive lineman who played significant snaps in the past. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The smell of real actual football activity is in the air as the Dallas Cowboys have arrived in Oxnard, CA. The annual trek west signals the start of training camp and Mike McCarthy has his work cut out for him to avoid this being the final year he’s with the organization. A disappointing 2020 was followed by a scintillating start to 2021, only for things to disintegrate down the stretch. Eventually, the Cowboys were the only home team to lose during wild-card weekend and the funk has been cast over the team ever since.

That can all change, starting Wednesday with the first practice. Over the next several weeks, leading to three preseason contests, players will work their way up and down depth charts in hopes of making the final 53-man roster. This is a prediction of how all those things will play out, with the obvious caveat that injuries will dictate some of these battles more than talent.

Travon Walker discusses first days in training camp, seasons learned from Robert Mathis

After a few days into his first NFL training camp, Jaguars rookie OLB Travon Walker is ready to put the pads on.

The Jacksonville Jaguars kicked off their training camp on Monday and now have three days under their belts in what will be a long journey to the regular season. On Wednesday, No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker was the player who spoke with the media to explain how he’s getting acclimated to the NFL.

Walker said he was happy to return to the practice field after a pre-camp break that lasted over a month, but said he’s ready for Sunday to arrive. As fans know, that’s the date when the pads go on and four days before the Jags’ first preseason game.

“I’m really ready to get into pads now because I’ve been out of pads so long, since the national championship, and to just finally really strike somebody and be as physical as I can,” Walker said. “I’m ready to get back to that.”

Understandably, the rookie would want to get back to padded practices when considering how much of a physical presence he brought on the field at Georgia. Additionally, Walker is transitioning after years of practicing with Kirkby Smart, who is one of the more intense coaches from the collegiate level.

There was no doubt that Walker would come into camp ready when considering his work ethic, and fans got to witness it a bit through social media. The rookie was among the players who veteran Josh Allen was able to round up to workout with former Indianapolis Colts pass rusher Robert Mathis and The Original Gridiron Gang crew in early July.

When asked about what he was able to learn in the process, Walker said Mathis told him to remain patient through his rookie season and focus on the smaller things. Once that happens, Mathis added that the rest will fall in place.

“I learned a lot from him,” Walker said about Mathis. “One of the main things he told me is be patient. Everything will come. Once I start to realize the small things within my moves, everything will start to tie together from there. Like I say, I was always trying to work on my hand-eye coordination. It all starts with my get-off. If I’m getting off the ball, the offensive linemen are going to have to commit to me at sometime, so I let my fluidity and my speed work for itself.”

Getting advice from an NFL legend like Mathis is huge, and with Walker having to deal with the pressure of being a first-round pick, it’s good to see he has several people in his corner to prepare him. He’ll likely get his first NFL action on the field in a little over a week in the Hall-of-Fame Game, and hopefully, fans will get to see him apply some of the things he learned this offseason on the field.

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12 takeaways from first practice at Bears training camp

The Bears held their first practice of training camp on Wednesday. Here’s what we learned from Day 1:

The Chicago Bears hit the practice field for the first time during training camp on Wednesday, which kicked off a new era of Bears football under a new regime.

It was a closed, ramp-up practice for the team. But there was plenty of action at Halas Hall, including the monitoring of some important position battles on offense and defense.

There was plenty to digest from practice and press conferences with head coach Matt Eberflus, defensive end Robert Quinn, receiver N’Keal Harry and offensive linemen Riley Reiff and Michael Scofield.

Following Wednesday’s practice, here’s a look at what we learned from the first day of Bears training camp:

Bears DE Robert Quinn doesn’t want to be traded

Bears DE Robert Quinn on if he wants to be in Chicago: “Yeah, I never expected to go anywhere.”

There’s been a lot of speculation about Bears defensive end Robert Quinn’s future in Chicago. There were reports that Quinn wanted out, and it wasn’t helped by him skipping the entire offseason program, including mandatory minicamp.

But Quinn reported for training camp and participated in the team’s first practice on Wednesday, an indication that all things are good on the Quinn front…at least for now.

Quinn met with the media for the first time this summer, where he was asked out his decision to skip mandatory minicamp. Quinn explained his decision had to do with taking care of his body and preparing mentally for the new year.

Naturally, there were questions about potential trade speculation given the reports that surfaced this offseason. Quinn said he doesn’t expect to be traded, but he also acknowledged the business of the NFL.

“I expect to be here,” Quinn said, “but if not, that’s out of my control.”

Quinn was asked to clarify if he wants to be in Chicago.

“Yeah, I never expected to go anywhere,” he said.

Quinn is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, where he set a franchise record for single sacks in a season with 18.5. Following the Khalil Mack trade, Quinn is now the top guy off the edge.

Following a slew of moves by new general manager Ryan Poles, it’s fair to wonder if there might come a time this season when he finds it prudent to trade Quinn to a contending team.

But for now, Quinn is preparing to play for the Bears this season.

“I have been traded twice,” Quinn said, “you kinda get tired of moving.”

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WR Michael Gallup among 5 Cowboys starting camp on PUP/NFI list

The Cowboys designated 5 members of their 90-man offseason roster as injured. Not included? LB Jabril Cox. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys are set to have their first practice of 2022 in the next hour, but first some official business. The business of course is who will be available to hit the practice field in full and the answer is not wide receiver Michael Gallup.

Gallup tore his ACL late in the regular season, an injury that normally takes about eight months before even the speediest to recover make their way back to the field. The club initially claimed he’d be ready for the start of the season but backed off that proclamation a few months later. His exact return is up in the air and there’s technically still a chance he gets some on-field work in during training camp in Oxnard, CA. However Gallup will begin on the physically-unable-to-perform list (PUP), along with three rookies.

Not on the list of note? Linebacker Jabril Cox is ready to roll after his ACL injury.

PUP and NFI (non-football injury list) function the same way. Players who are placed on either list to start training camp cannot practice with the club, but can be taken off the list at any time. The only difference between the two is whether the absence is related to an NFL-incurred injury (PUP) or something that happened outside the parameters of NFL work (NFI). College injuries fall under the latter category.

That’s how Damone Clark, who had spinal surgery before the draft that led to his drop from a second-round projection, lands on NFI. The other injuries are tied to things rookies Dontario Drummond, Aaron Hansford and Quandre Mosley have suffered since joining the league.

If any of these players are not ready by the start of the regular season, they can be moved from Active/PUP to Reserve/PUP. They will then have to miss at least the first four weeks of the season, down from six in prior years.

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What the Bears’ starting offensive line looked like on Day 1 of training camp

The Bears wrapped their first practice of training camp. Here’s how the starting offensive line combination looked on Day 1.

The Chicago Bears kicked off training camp with their first practice of the summer, which was closed to the public. But with media in attendance, we got a first glimpse of the offensive line at camp.

According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the starting offensive line during the team drills was the same that it was during mandatory minicamp: LT Braxton Jones; LG Cody Whitehair; C Lucas Patrick; RG Sam Mustipher; RT Larry Borom.

Following the additions of veterans Riley Reiff and Michael Schofield over the last two days, there’s a belief that both are favorites to start at left tackle and right guard, respectively. Both were limited during Wednesday’s practice as they get brought up to speed, and it’s nothing to worry about in the long run.

While Reiff did get some work with the starters during individual drills, it was Jones at left tackle during team drills. Borom and Teven Jenkins, who are competing for the right tackle job, split reps. But it was Borom at right tackle during the team drill. Jenkins was a rotational tackle during practice.

Following practice, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus reiterated that all offensive line combinations are open as the team kicks off training camp. But given the recent additions of Reiff and Schofield, we have an idea of how this story might end.

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6 things to watch at the start of Bears training camp

As the Bears kick off training camp, there are several storylines we’ll be monitoring this summer.

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the start of training camp, which ushers in a new era of Bears football under general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus.

Naturally, there’s plenty to watch with this team heading into the summer, which includes Justin Fields’ first training camp as the starter, the starting offensive line and plenty of competition for starting jobs and roster spots, including at wide receiver and offensive line.

Here are six things to watch at the start of Bears training camp.

Bears place Roquan Smith on physically unable to perform list to open training camp

Here’s a quick breakdown of each move the Bears made to open training camp, including placing LB Roquan Smith on the PUP list.

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the start of training camp, and there are no shortage of storylines to watch. One of those includes linebacker Roquan Smith’s contract situation, which was expected to hold him out of practice.

The Bears announced that Smith was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, which is for players who have football-related injuries and are unable to practice.

When general manager Ryan Poles met with the media on Tuesday, he explained that there were some moves coming ahead of Wednesday’s practice. Here’s a quick breakdown of each move the Bears made ahead of the first practice of training camp.

Top position battles to watch as Bears kick off training camp

As the Bears hit the practice field, here are the top position battles to watch closely throughout training camp.

As the Bears head into training camp under a new regime, there are many questions regarding the depth chart. For example, it’s unclear who the starters are on the offensive line, at wide receiver, on the defensive line, in the secondary, or on special teams.

Training camp is perfect for players to separate themselves through practice and preseason games. With Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus’ preaching competition, there will be opportunities to win starting jobs and roster spots.

As Chicago hits the practice field, the top position battles are to watch closely throughout training camp.

Bears’ projected depth chart at the start of training camp

As the Bears kick off training camp, we’re taking a crack at projecting their depth chart at the start of the summer.

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the start of training camp, and there will be no shortage of new faces on the roster. For the first time in camp, players will wear their last names on their practice jerseys.

With the roster overhaul this offseason, Justin Fields and Roquan Smith are probably the only players who are guaranteed their starting jobs at this point. Head coach Matt Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles have preached the importance of competition this summer, which should make for some interesting roster battles.

While the team won’t release an unofficial depth chart for a little bit, we’re taking a swing at projecting the Bears’ depth chart at the start of training camp.