--The Browns have been hit with injuries in the receiver room to begin training camp. Amari Cooper (ankle), Anthony Schwartz (knee), David Bell (foot) and Javon Wims (illness) have all missed practices, which has allowed Woods, a rookie sixth-round pick from Oklahoma, to receive a steady intake of reps.
Woods has capitalized on those opportunities and has looked comfortable in the offense. He's displayed an ability to create separation, consistently make catches and quickly accelerate upfield. A small number of his reps have come on the first-team, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Woods continue to work more with that group if Schwartz and Bell continue to miss time. Cooper returned to practice Wednesday and missed just one day with an ankle injury.
Browns wide receivers coach/pass game coordinator Chad O'Shea has been impressed with what Woods has shown.
"He has tremendous work ethic," he said. "He is very smart. He is mature. He is taking the coaching. Certainly, for a rookie, I think he has been very professional in his development.
He has made the most of his opportunities, and it has been very positive for Mike Woods so far."
Woods will likely play a decent amount in preseason games. The Browns would love to have any of the receivers behind Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Schwartz step up and show they're deserving of an elevated role in the pass game, and Woods has made an early case that he's at least worthy of more reps moving forward.
--The Jets released Dru Samia last week.
--Chargers placed K9 on PUP list.
--The Raiders signed LB Curtis Bolton (#36) last week. That dude just continues to hang around in the NFL.
--Winners and Losers from various Patriots camps this week:
Session #5: Loser: LB Ronnie Perkins. Perkins had a successful 1-on-1 rep against offensive tackle Justin Herron, but he later ended up on the ground versus Yasir Durant. Furthermore, he continued to see most of his action with the scout team and has not yet been able to crack the regular rotation along the defensive edge.
#6: Winner: LB Ronnie Perkins. Ronnie Perkins had possibly his best practice since joining the Patriots as a third-round draft pick last year. The sophomore linebacker impressed in both 1-on-1s and full-team work, registering a would-be sack versus backup QB Bailey Zappe and a couple of run stuffs. His lone blemish was a false start in 1-on-1s but other than that he had a strong day.
#8 Loser: LB Ronnie Perkins. Second-year edge linebacker Ronnie Perkins continues his inconsistent campaign this summer. Thursday was one of his worse days, with him losing his 1-on-1s against both Isaiah Wynn and Justin Herron and also not looking entirely comfortable during team work. At this point in time, Perkins projects as a depth option.
#9: Loser: LB Ronnie Perkins. Perkins went 0-2-1 during individual pass rush drills. Once seen as a candidate to start, the second-year edge rusher seems to be settling into a reserve role with older players, including Uche surpassing him in team periods and out-performing him in 1-on-1 drills.
--Mike Woods Deserves Attention
Wide receiver Mike Woods, the 6th round (202nd overall) pick from Oklahoma, looked really impressive Saturday in both individual and team drills. He was a smooth route runner getting in and out of his breaks effortlessly and with precision.
He’s such a natural pass catcher it looks effortless and his large frame provides a great target for quarterbacks. I wasn’t high on Woods when he was picked but early on he has been really impressive behind Donovan Peoples-Jones and Amari Cooper.
With David Bell and Anthony Schwartz missing early camp practices with injury, Woods is capitalizing on the opportunities. If he continues his strong camp he will make the roster with ease in September."
– Other [Browns] standouts from Saturday include second-year veteran CB Parnell Motley, who registered two pass breakups in team drills. DE Jadeveon Clowney also knocked a pass down at the line of scrimmage. Rookie sixth-round WR Michael Woods II has built together two solid practices and caught a deep ball from Brissett during team drills.
--Tyre Phillips, Ben Powers In Heated Battle At Left Guard for Ravens
Starting job is still uncertain.
TODD KARPOVICH
AUG 2, 2022 7:42 AM EDT
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ben Powers has taken the lead to win the starting job at left guard for the Ravens.
However, Tyre Phillips is thriving at training camp and he will battle Powers for that top spot on the depth chart.
"It’s an ongoing competition right now," offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris said. "Ben, right now, is doing a really good job. Ben did a nice job last season. Unfortunately, he got hurt. He’s come back from his recovery from his injury, and [he] came back into camp in really good shape, and he’s doing a really good job. He’s got very good vision, he’s very instinctive, [he’s a] good communicator.
"So, when you do all those things, you have to gel the line together and trust each other when you communicate. So, he’s doing a great job there.”
Powers was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round (123rd overall) of the 2019 NFL draft. Last year, He appeared in 13 games with 12 starts at left guard and the experience should bode well for him.
While Powers has been solid, Phillips dominated the one-on-one drills when the Ravens put the pads on this week. He mauled several defenders and definitely brings an edge to the offensive line.
Phillips won the job out of training camp last season before suffering a knee injury in the opener against the Las Vegas Raiders.
"Tyre is a fine young man, too,".D'Alessandris said. "He works his tail off, and he’s growing. We’ve just got to work for more consistency, and I’ve got to help him along the way with that.”
Ben Cleveland is also battling for playing time but he missed the first week of training camp because he failed the conditioning test multiple times.
--Does S Tony Jefferson II look like the same player to you that he did three or four years ago, despite all of the injuries he's gone through? _(Jeff Zrebiec) _"Yes, that's a great point. I'm really proud of Tony [Jefferson II]. He's had an incredible story. He really does look like the guy we had in 2018-2019. He's moving phenomenally, and [I'm] just really happy with where he's at."
--Tony Jefferson Still Making Plays In Practice As Part Of Ravens Revamped Secondary
August 3, 2022 Bo Smolka
OWINGS MILLS, MD. — Safety Tony Jefferson might have a hard time finding a spot on the field this fall in a revamped Ravens secondary featuring top free-agent acquisition Marcus Williams and top draft pick Kyle Hamilton.
But Jefferson, a consummate pro and one of the most respected players in the locker room, turned in the play of the day at the Ravens’ Aug. 2 practice, ranging far to his right to tip and then intercept a pass from Lamar Jackson intended for Rashod Bateman.
“It was a great play,” head coach John Harbaugh said after the two-hour workout. “… He’s in quarters coverage, carries the deep over route. That’s a big-play opportunity for the offense. I don’t know how he got his hand on that ball; that was great in and of itself. Then he finds a way to tip it to himself and catch it.”
Jefferson’s play came on one of the few deep balls thrown by Jackson on a day that emphasized playbook installation and special teams. Jackson was sharp overall, with a lot of high-percentage throws near the line of scrimmage, though he and Bateman misfired twice deep. Jefferson intercepted the underthrown pass, and another deep shot went through Bateman’s outstretched hands as he elevated over three defenders.
--Nik Bonitto Impressing in Broncos camp
A great thing about watching practice every day is that I get to see which players are consistently performing each time out. This is a good sign of things to come for these players, as Quinn Meinerz said on The Fan “success leaves clues.” So, here’s some players who are leaving clues – some in a big way – for the Broncos.
I want to write about Nik Bonitto every day. In fact, of the four previous practice reports, I’ve written about the rookie pass-rusher twice. Once again on Monday, Bonitto was out there making play after play – against the second and third team offense – for the Broncos defense.
It seems like when the pads came on, Bonitto’s game got even better. There are plenty of questions about Bonitto when it comes to coverage ability or the ability to keep contain against the run. However, when it comes to rushing the quarterback, the rookie is looking as advertised (I had a late first/early second round grade on him).
Woods has capitalized on those opportunities and has looked comfortable in the offense. He's displayed an ability to create separation, consistently make catches and quickly accelerate upfield. A small number of his reps have come on the first-team, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Woods continue to work more with that group if Schwartz and Bell continue to miss time. Cooper returned to practice Wednesday and missed just one day with an ankle injury.
Browns wide receivers coach/pass game coordinator Chad O'Shea has been impressed with what Woods has shown.
"He has tremendous work ethic," he said. "He is very smart. He is mature. He is taking the coaching. Certainly, for a rookie, I think he has been very professional in his development.
He has made the most of his opportunities, and it has been very positive for Mike Woods so far."
Woods will likely play a decent amount in preseason games. The Browns would love to have any of the receivers behind Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Schwartz step up and show they're deserving of an elevated role in the pass game, and Woods has made an early case that he's at least worthy of more reps moving forward.
--The Jets released Dru Samia last week.
--Chargers placed K9 on PUP list.
--The Raiders signed LB Curtis Bolton (#36) last week. That dude just continues to hang around in the NFL.
--Winners and Losers from various Patriots camps this week:
Session #5: Loser: LB Ronnie Perkins. Perkins had a successful 1-on-1 rep against offensive tackle Justin Herron, but he later ended up on the ground versus Yasir Durant. Furthermore, he continued to see most of his action with the scout team and has not yet been able to crack the regular rotation along the defensive edge.
#6: Winner: LB Ronnie Perkins. Ronnie Perkins had possibly his best practice since joining the Patriots as a third-round draft pick last year. The sophomore linebacker impressed in both 1-on-1s and full-team work, registering a would-be sack versus backup QB Bailey Zappe and a couple of run stuffs. His lone blemish was a false start in 1-on-1s but other than that he had a strong day.
#8 Loser: LB Ronnie Perkins. Second-year edge linebacker Ronnie Perkins continues his inconsistent campaign this summer. Thursday was one of his worse days, with him losing his 1-on-1s against both Isaiah Wynn and Justin Herron and also not looking entirely comfortable during team work. At this point in time, Perkins projects as a depth option.
#9: Loser: LB Ronnie Perkins. Perkins went 0-2-1 during individual pass rush drills. Once seen as a candidate to start, the second-year edge rusher seems to be settling into a reserve role with older players, including Uche surpassing him in team periods and out-performing him in 1-on-1 drills.
--Mike Woods Deserves Attention
Wide receiver Mike Woods, the 6th round (202nd overall) pick from Oklahoma, looked really impressive Saturday in both individual and team drills. He was a smooth route runner getting in and out of his breaks effortlessly and with precision.
He’s such a natural pass catcher it looks effortless and his large frame provides a great target for quarterbacks. I wasn’t high on Woods when he was picked but early on he has been really impressive behind Donovan Peoples-Jones and Amari Cooper.
With David Bell and Anthony Schwartz missing early camp practices with injury, Woods is capitalizing on the opportunities. If he continues his strong camp he will make the roster with ease in September."
– Other [Browns] standouts from Saturday include second-year veteran CB Parnell Motley, who registered two pass breakups in team drills. DE Jadeveon Clowney also knocked a pass down at the line of scrimmage. Rookie sixth-round WR Michael Woods II has built together two solid practices and caught a deep ball from Brissett during team drills.
--Tyre Phillips, Ben Powers In Heated Battle At Left Guard for Ravens
Starting job is still uncertain.
TODD KARPOVICH
AUG 2, 2022 7:42 AM EDT
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ben Powers has taken the lead to win the starting job at left guard for the Ravens.
However, Tyre Phillips is thriving at training camp and he will battle Powers for that top spot on the depth chart.
"It’s an ongoing competition right now," offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris said. "Ben, right now, is doing a really good job. Ben did a nice job last season. Unfortunately, he got hurt. He’s come back from his recovery from his injury, and [he] came back into camp in really good shape, and he’s doing a really good job. He’s got very good vision, he’s very instinctive, [he’s a] good communicator.
"So, when you do all those things, you have to gel the line together and trust each other when you communicate. So, he’s doing a great job there.”
Powers was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round (123rd overall) of the 2019 NFL draft. Last year, He appeared in 13 games with 12 starts at left guard and the experience should bode well for him.
While Powers has been solid, Phillips dominated the one-on-one drills when the Ravens put the pads on this week. He mauled several defenders and definitely brings an edge to the offensive line.
Phillips won the job out of training camp last season before suffering a knee injury in the opener against the Las Vegas Raiders.
"Tyre is a fine young man, too,".D'Alessandris said. "He works his tail off, and he’s growing. We’ve just got to work for more consistency, and I’ve got to help him along the way with that.”
Ben Cleveland is also battling for playing time but he missed the first week of training camp because he failed the conditioning test multiple times.
--Does S Tony Jefferson II look like the same player to you that he did three or four years ago, despite all of the injuries he's gone through? _(Jeff Zrebiec) _"Yes, that's a great point. I'm really proud of Tony [Jefferson II]. He's had an incredible story. He really does look like the guy we had in 2018-2019. He's moving phenomenally, and [I'm] just really happy with where he's at."
--Tony Jefferson Still Making Plays In Practice As Part Of Ravens Revamped Secondary
August 3, 2022 Bo Smolka
OWINGS MILLS, MD. — Safety Tony Jefferson might have a hard time finding a spot on the field this fall in a revamped Ravens secondary featuring top free-agent acquisition Marcus Williams and top draft pick Kyle Hamilton.
But Jefferson, a consummate pro and one of the most respected players in the locker room, turned in the play of the day at the Ravens’ Aug. 2 practice, ranging far to his right to tip and then intercept a pass from Lamar Jackson intended for Rashod Bateman.
“It was a great play,” head coach John Harbaugh said after the two-hour workout. “… He’s in quarters coverage, carries the deep over route. That’s a big-play opportunity for the offense. I don’t know how he got his hand on that ball; that was great in and of itself. Then he finds a way to tip it to himself and catch it.”
Jefferson’s play came on one of the few deep balls thrown by Jackson on a day that emphasized playbook installation and special teams. Jackson was sharp overall, with a lot of high-percentage throws near the line of scrimmage, though he and Bateman misfired twice deep. Jefferson intercepted the underthrown pass, and another deep shot went through Bateman’s outstretched hands as he elevated over three defenders.
--Nik Bonitto Impressing in Broncos camp
A great thing about watching practice every day is that I get to see which players are consistently performing each time out. This is a good sign of things to come for these players, as Quinn Meinerz said on The Fan “success leaves clues.” So, here’s some players who are leaving clues – some in a big way – for the Broncos.
I want to write about Nik Bonitto every day. In fact, of the four previous practice reports, I’ve written about the rookie pass-rusher twice. Once again on Monday, Bonitto was out there making play after play – against the second and third team offense – for the Broncos defense.
It seems like when the pads came on, Bonitto’s game got even better. There are plenty of questions about Bonitto when it comes to coverage ability or the ability to keep contain against the run. However, when it comes to rushing the quarterback, the rookie is looking as advertised (I had a late first/early second round grade on him).
