Got to camp for the Saturday morning session and had the distinct pleasure of bring my almost-2-years-old daughter. It was cool. I always love making training camp stop and this was no exception, though I probably watched less football than in years past since I was more interested in watching my daughter watch practice. For what it's worth, she was digging it and even clapped when others cheered. On one occasion she even mustered a, "Good job," or what passes for it. Pretty cool.
My only observations. 1) Kellen Winslow looks ripped, though I still think he's going to be a good player based on speed and agility, not his size, which seems more Aaron Shea than Antonio Gates. 2) Dorsey just doesn't look like a guy I'd want starting. Let's just get this over with and sign Vinny. Vinny can be #2, and Anderson can be a longer-term development guy. 3) The locker room sale looked awesome. Too bad the line was so long that there was no way I was waiting in it with my kid. I really wanted to get an orange belt. 4) Frye still doesn't look like a practic player, but he seemed much more comfortable than last year's camp. 5) Jurevicius looked great. The guy is a great athlete, despite the prevailing rep that he's a possesion receiver. 6) It was hot. 7) I love just walking down Beech street and the whole orange stripes in the road. It's sweet.
I really wanted to watch the defensive players but wasn't near enough. It sounds like the competition at linebacker is getting spirited between Jackson and Thompson, and Leon Williams is a player. Without a doubt, I'm most excited about how this defense could shape up. In another year give us another DE and a free safety and we should be pretty damn good.
I wanted to post on Bentley on Friday but MuniLot.com seemed to be down. Oh well. All I can say is that it sucks so freaking bad and it makes this team's ability to withstand another OL injury very tenuous. Maybe the fact that it happened so early in camp will lessen the blow. For us fans, at least we won't miss great play at center since we haven't seen it for so many years.
Ryan Tucker's possible knee scoping. Just do it. We need him healthy for the regular season. Let Chambers or whoever play all camp. That seems to be the best longer-term scenario.
It's good to hear that Bentley is, reportedly, eager to start rehab. Man, it's got to be hard to be positive after such an injury. I'll be rooting for him hard and can't wait for the day he suits up for real, even if it will be a year later than we'd all hoped.
It's cool to see Braylon apparently ahead of schedule. We need a little hope, though I don't see how anything could fully compensate for Bentley. If it was up to me I'd play Edwards sparingly starting with the second preseason game. And plan for him to be a bench player for the first couple weeks of the regular season.
It's almost pathetic to say -- but I am ready for some preseason football.
Let's hear it for Summertime weekend house projects. I hear it was a gorgeous weekend. All I know is that my daughter's bedroom is looking pretty good after a FRI/SAT/SUN of ripping off wallpaper, spackling, priming, painting, etc.
It is freaking hot out. I'm trying to prepare for a half-marathon or marathon (depending on my mood and beer consumption) and, due to the above mentioned projects, absolutely and to get in 8 miles today at lunch. Fricking stupid. Let me tell you, it is hot.