OXNARD, Calif. -Here are some observations from the first walk-through practice of training camp Monday.
Disappointing for the team that Felix Jones, Andre Holmes and Brodney Pool failed the conditioning test on Sunday. I have always wondered how others can do their jobs to get ready for the season but some fail to do so. I personally am disappointed in Holmes because going into this camp, I believed that he was the one that was going to take this third wide receiver job and run with it. When you are battling for a job, these are the situations you can't put yourself in. The front office, coaches and teammates are looking for a reliable player, he failed that test too.
Even though it was a walk through this morning we saw some things rotation wise that the team is planning. We all knew that Dan Connor would be splitting time with Bruce Carter at inside linebacker but Ronald Leary got some snaps with the first time line at right guard. David Arkin has been the starter while Mackenzy Bernadeau has been out. The only thing that might keep Leary from taking that spot full time is the mental side of this game. Arkin hasn't made a start yet in the NFL but he has at least been in this system for a year. How quickly Leary picks up things will tell you how much more these coaches will feed him. If he is able to pick up things scheme wise, he has more than enough talent to keep the job.
As expected Morris Claiborne lined up as the starter at right corner back. It was interesting watching him cover Miles Austin in the walk through. After one of Austin's routes, Claiborne stopped him and you could tell he was asking him questions on the type of route he was running and how to defend it. Very smart of the rookie to try and learn as much as he can.
Mike Jenkins spoke to the media this morning after practice and in my view, has the right attitude about how he needs to approach the situation that he is in. This team is going to need a healthy Jenkins going forward. If I am the front office, I am in no rush to move him along until they are positive that Claiborne is fully ready to handle the job. You can say what you want about Jenkins but if you question his toughness, that is a mistake. The mistake that he made was not being here getting his rehab work done.
Will be interested to see how much work Cole Beasley gets with all of the receivers now in camp. There were plenty of times during the first three days of rookie camp where you noticed him plenty, this morning I didn't see him as much. Been told that he will get plenty of opportunities to show what he can do. Will be watching him closely this afternoon.
