Rookies Around the League

[Aloysius]

According to Jaguars OC Dirk Koetter, Rashad Jennings is competing for the third spot on the RB depth chart. He seems to be making a positive impression:

Dirk Koetter said:

"Now Rashad Jennings was a guy we first got to look at when we were coaching the Senior Bowl and he's really flashed in OTAs. He's smooth, he's fast, he's a good learner and he's been real impressive catching the ball -- I didn't realize at the Senior Bowl that he could run and catch like that. So that's going to be a nice competition, and for a guy that we took in the seventh round, I was surprised he was still there and I am glad that he was."

And here's some good stuff on the Jaguars' rookie receivers:

Dirk Koetter said:

"The rookies have all had their moments and they all have different strengths.

Mike Thomas is the compact, strong, explosive in a short field type. I think his effectiveness will carry over into pads.

Tiquan Underwood, I had him graded as a fourth- or fifth-round receiver, so when he was still there in the seventh, it was great. Everybody was watching Rutgers film because they had some other players like Kenny Britt, but Tiquan stood out. I like him a lot, and Tiquan has legitimate speed. He looks skinny, but not in his uniform. I mean, you look at his body weight and you go 'Man, this guy's got to be tiny.' But he plays strong and he plays fast. He tweaked his ankle on the last day of our OTAs, so he might be on the shelf for these last few practices, but he's really stood out and flashed here.

Jarett Dillard has really impressed me. I watched his college film; you have to love what Rice University does on offense throwing it all over the yard, but you have to wonder how it would translate over to the NFL. He has surprised me every day. He has a real natural feel for football. His timing, getting in seams, running option routes, showing great hands. He's exceeded my personal expectations after his college film. He's been working in the slot. Personally, I was somewhat leery because Underwood and Thomas played a lot more slot in college, so I was not necessarily envisioning Dillard there, but some other people in our organization were, and they were right -- he's looked good in the slot.

The great thing about all three of them is that they have great attitudes. They all have come in here and just worked their tails off."

[mz.]

Aloysius said:

I've also heard some good things about Taj Smith, a second year Syracuse alum who looked good playing for the Packers during last year's preseason. He could push for a roster spot.

I loved Taj Smith at SU and am glad he's getting a chance. I was sad to see him leave early, but he was a 25 year old JUCO transfer and was from a poor family, so I understand his hand was kinda forced.

Here's some of his story, in case anyone's interested. (EDIT: don't bother registering to read this).

[Aloysius]

Wow. Didn't know that Smith scored a 37 on the Wonderlic. No wonder Manning likes him: you can never have too many smart, speedy receivers.

[PlaygroundLegend]

Two of the 7 I wanted us to draft, Dillard and Jennings

[Riffer X]

@vegasdogg said:

I am hearing good things from Peyton Manning concerning both Garcon and Collie (from what I read on SI.com and hear on NFL Sirius.) What is interesting - though not real surprising - is the fact that he is less than thrilled with Roy Hall. Hall was an overachiever at Ohio State, IMO. I liked him, but he never really had "it."

Gotta disagree with that Dawg. He came in pretty highly thought of from Brush I believe. He lacked the intangibles to get on the field until late in his career there. I remember the Scarlet and Gray writers being beset with his physical gifts coming in. Alo was right, his fast track time got him drafted along with his size. Overall, I say he was a big time under achiever.

Oh, and who can forget his biggest claim to fame of taking Ginn out of the National Champ game?

Also, Jennings doesn't surprise me a bit. It's going to be interesting for me to follow Davis and his careers.

[Solon16]

Aloysius said:

Wow. Didn't know that Smith scored a 37 on the Wonderlic. No wonder Manning likes him: you can never have too many smart, speedy receivers.

Aloy...what has become of Mike Walker from Usf since he was let go of by Jags? any news on him?

[Aloysius]

@solon16 said:

Aloy...what has become of Mike Walker from Usf since he was let go of by Jags? any news on him?

I think he's still with the Jags (link). They did cut Reggie Williams; he's got drug issues, so it's unlikely that he'll get signed by anyone.

[Aloysius]

Here's a good article on the Lions' 2nd round pick:

Early indications are that Louis Delmas is even better than Lions imagined

The key graf:

Tom Kowalski said:

What nobody knew - or could know - before the draft is how good his football instincts really were and how they would translate so smoothly to the NFL level. They couldn't know how seamlessly he would fit the locker room chemistry and the energy he brings to the football field and the workout room every single day. They couldn't know how rapidly he would pick up the defense and understand the concepts of what they're doing and why. They couldn't know his true maturity level as a ballplayer until they spent days, not hours, around him.

[Browns2405]

I went to Mount Union college where Pierre Garcon was drafted from. He was an absolute beast and look like lebron on the basketball court. Granted it's D3 College ball but he just did what he wanted to on the football field. Outjump, outrun and just outhustle the db's. I really wish him well and hope he lasts in NFL.

[Aloysius]

Bolts' rookies Vasquez, Ellison have shot to start

Posted June 18, 2009 @ 12:48 p.m.

By Michael Blunda

The Chargers have never shied away from playing rookies. In fact, just last season CB Antoine Cason and FBs Jacob Hester and Mike Tolbert all saw significant field time in their first campaign. The story could wind up being the same in 2009, as minicamps showed that San Diego has at least a couple rookies ready to step in and contribute. From what we hear, both OG Louis Vasquez and SS Kevin Ellison have impressed enough that they could be given a chance to start. Vasquez, a third-round pick out of Texas Tech, has grasped the offense quickly and looked like a very effective blocker this spring. He’ll be provided a legitimate opportunity to compete with the established but uninspiring Kynan Forney for the starting right guard spot in training camp. Ellison, meanwhile, looked very polished in practices, working hard and always managing to be around the ball. A sixth-rounder from USC, he might be the Bolts’ preferred choice at strong safety after Clinton Hart struggled frequently in ’08. This pair, along with first-round LB Larry English, gives the Chargers reason to be excited about their youth.

Browns OL coach George Warhop reportedly loved Vasquez.

[Aloysius]

Some good info from PFW:

Pro Football Weekly said:

• The competition for the Bengals’ SLB job promises to be one of the most intriguing of training camp, with veteran Rashad Jeanty and rookie Rey Maualuga vying for the position. In a recent interview with PFW, Jeanty, who started 15 games last season on the strong side, praised Maualuga, who starred in the middle for USC, noting the rookie’s progress throughout offseason workouts. “You can tell he’s a middle linebacker,” Jeanty said, “but he’s playing like a strong-side linebacker’s supposed to. He’s tough. He’s sticking his head in there. He’s a guy who reminds me a little of myself.” Jeanty acknowledged the competition will be tough, but he sees nothing wrong with that. “Whoever is not the starter, I’ll tell you, he’s going to be a hell of a backup,” Jeanty said.

• The way we hear it, undrafted free-agent RB Marlon Lucky flashed some playmaking ability in the Bengals’ offseason workouts after overcoming a hamstring injury. Lucky may still be in a fight to make the team, but the former Nebraska back has nonetheless fared well when he’s been on the field.

Also worth checking out:

Expectations soaring for Jaguars rookies

Seahawks' Curry as good as advertised

Lions delay depth chart, but Stafford could open as starter

[Aloysius]

With training camps across the league now open, more rookie news is starting to trickle in. Here's a very interesting report on Osackpo:

Jason La Canfora said:

» Rookie linebacker/end Brian Orakpo just planted Pro Bowl tackle Chris Samuels. Talking to people at camp here, I’m told that hasn’t been uncommon, with the speedy but raw rookie having success rushing from the weak side when he flops with linebacker Rocky McIntosh.

Jeremy Jarmon's also been impressive working on the strongside.