- C.J. Mosley who played last season with the Detroit Lions will be reunited with Ndamukong Suh in Miami. The Miami Dolphins signed the 10-year veteran to a 1-year deal Wednesday to add depth to their defensive line. Mosley spent a lot of time as Suh’s sidekick in 2014 after a knee injury caused Nick Fairley to miss eight games. Mosley entered the NFL in 2005 as a 6th-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings but has since played for the Jets, Browns, and Jaguars before spending two seasons with the Lions.
Last season Mosley collected 26 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 15 games for the Lions who finished last season as the NFL’s top run defense. The Dolphins’ signing of Mosley is not an indictment on the Dolphins’ 2nd round pick Jordan Phillips as they like what they have seen from him during OTAs. At 6-foot-2, 312 pounds, Mosley adds another big body up front who will aid the Dolphins in stopping the run.
- Steelers QB Landry Jones 'a little up and down' in OTAs
Jeremy Fowler, ESPN Senior NFL Writer
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted fourth-rounder Landry Jones higher than any other quarterback since 2005. He has work to do to validate that billing.
The third-year quarterback has been "a little up and down" in organized team activities, Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley said while meeting with the media after Wednesday's session.
Jones has gotten valuable reps while backup Bruce Gradkowski has been sitting out.
"He's working hard and it's a tough spot to be in, being the third guy," Haley said. "He's gotten thrust into getting a little more with Bruce being out, so he's got to take advantage of the opportunity."
Also in the quarterback mix is former sixth-round pick Tajh Boyd and undrafted free agent Devin Gardner, who quarterbacked at Michigan but is a wide receiver option, as well.
Gradkowski enters his 10th NFL season. The Steelers could groom Jones to eventually take ownership of the backup position behind Ben Roethlisberger, who's 33. He must be better than "up and down" to do just that.
If Jones isn't in the team's long-term plans, perhaps the Steelers could employ a Patriots strategy with Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo -- draft a second-round quarterback to develop during Roethlisberger's final stage.
- Jacksonville Jaguars Who've Turned Heads in Offseason Workouts
By Evan Reier , Featured Columnist
Jun 7, 2015
Aaron Colvin has been turning heads since he first stepped on the field in teal and black, but his performance over the past few weeks has been special. He's shown how incredible a talent he is and can be.
The Jaguars used Colvin as a nickel corner for the majority of 2014, and that's what they expected of him this offseason. But instead of sticking to an inside spot, he's now impressed enough to earn reps on the outside with the starters.
It's not often you see a corner have the ability to play inside and out comfortably, but Colvin isn't a typical corner.
People are quick to forget how highly praised he was in college before his ACL tear at the 2014 Senior Bowl. According to Aaron Suttles of TideSports.com, that praise included fourth overall 2015 NFL draft selection Amari Cooper saying Colvin was the best corner he faced in college.
It may seem like his ability to play both inside and out is a surprise, but Colvin has consistently shown that he is one of the Jaguars' best young talents. He's turning heads like he should, but it may not be all that surprising.
This isn't to take away from Colvin's recent performances.
He's impressing, and having him on the team is one more positive that will help the Jaguars this season. Whether he'll see more time on the outside or inside will be answered during the season.
- [Raiders WR] Amari Cooper made some nice catches, but was frustrated when he dropped a few. The worst came when a Derek Carr pass clanked off his hands and was intercepted by linebacker Curtis Lofton in the opposing red zone.
- [Chiefs CB] Jamell Fleming had a couple of nice pass breakups and an interception during team drills. On two of the pass breakups, Fleming had perfect timing to knock the ball down as the receiver attempted to bring it in to make the catch. On the interception, Fleming broke in front of the receiver to pick off the attempted pass from Chase Daniel.
- We’re starting to see more snaps where [Cowboys TE] Gavin Escobar is lined up along the line of scrimmage and being used as a point-of-attack blocker. Escobar will never make you forget Jason Witten or James Hanna, but the fact that the offensive coaches are putting him in those situations makes me feel like their confidence level in him has improved in that area. We will see if this carries over to training camp.
- Johnson uses MMA to stay fit for the fight
By Bob Grotz
6/9/2015
It’s just not possible to train with Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) guys without fantasizing about fighting in the octagon.
And so it was for Lane Johnson, the Eagles’ offensive tackle who worked over the offseason with Randy Couture and Chuck Lidell, among others champs, at MMA Athletics in West Hollywood.
He’s been to their no-holds-barred, will-against-will fights. Maybe …..
“I’d have to drop a lot of weight to get in the ring,” the 6-6, 305-pound Johnson said with a grin. “But I’ve never seriously considered fighting. mean that’s the toughest sport there is. They don’t get a lot of notoriety, but those guys go through hell with what they do. It’s not even close compared to what football is.”
Football is a little easier for Johnson thanks to MMA training. For roughly five hours a day Johnson boxed, wrestled, stretched and participated in other activities to improve his strength for the every-down wars along the line of scrimmage.
Johnson was turned on to the program by Denver Broncos Pro Bowl offensive tackle Ryan Clady, who in May tore an ACL during a blocking drill.
Johnson knows of several NFL players involved in the training, including tight end Mercedes Lewis, safety Dashon Goldson and offensive tackle Kyle Long.
“I just wanted to do something different,” Johnson said. “A lot of guys will go hit the weights and get strong like that, but they come out here and they can’t utilize it. I just wanted to do something to get better in my hips and get better with my hands and conditioning-wise. We did a lot of body-on-body work like wrestling and stuff. Same stuff we’re doing out here. Run blocking is body on body. It just gives you a way to get functional strength involved instead of always lifting.”
The work shows. Johnson is popping out of his skin like The Rock, albeit much more naturally. During a line drill Johnson unintentionally jacked up the 300-pounder and the dummy he was holding, startling offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.
“Short jab, not a lot of winding up,” Stoutland explained. “It’s just a short jab on the bag. He just imploded the guy. The person that was holding the bag, everything, he just kind of got jabbed back.
I’ve never seen him do that.”
Johnson concedes it’s strange lining up at OTAs without Todd Herremans, who played next to him for much of the last two years. A mentor to Johnson, Herremans was released in the offseason after 10 years.
There’s a constant procession of replacements rotating in and out at right guard as Stoutland and Chip Kelly determine Herremans’ successor.
“I was used to playing next to Todd, (Matt) Tobin and (Andrew) Gardner,” Johnson said. “So I’m used to playing next to Tobin and Gardner, so it’s not a big change for me.”
Dennis Kelly also has spent time at right guard in practice.
The offseason changes for the Eagles extend to running back where LeSean McCoy was traded and Kelly added defending NFL rushing champion DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews. Johnson already is daydreaming about the mismatches the Eagles can create.
“DeMarco is a beast, Ryan Mathews is a beast,” Johnson said. “Both of them run extremely hard. And (Darren) Sproles is a great change-of-pace back. He can do it all. We’re going to have a big arsenal back there.”
Stoutland thinks this is the year that Johnson, Kelly’s first NFL draft pick, takes his game to another level. Johnson’s 2014 season was detoured by a four-game NFL suspension for taking a banned substance.
“He’s getting better every single year,” Stoutland said. “I told him, I said, ‘now we’re going to another level way above what you ever thought.’ And that’s the goal. He really put himself in a great position to do that in the offseason. He came back here in unbelievable shape. He put a lot of time in on his own working on areas we talked about him prior to leaving … hands, stuff like that.”
Johnson says he feels quicker, his hands feel stronger and his core strength is off the charts.
“I’ve been playing real low,” Johnson said. “My hands have been good. I feel like I’m right where I need to be.”
Johnson’s goal is to be “one of the best.”
Linemen, not MMA fighters.
- Sam Bradford In Team Drill And In Rhythm
Posted by GarryCobb BREAKING NEWS, Eagles, News, Quarterbacks Tuesday, June 9th, 2015
For four plays this afternoon we got a glimpse of what will hopefully be the future for Chip Kelly and the Philadelphia Eagles. For a little over two minutes, Sam Bradford took control of the Philadelphia Eagles offense.
It was a game situation team drill, when the Birds number one offense was taking on the number one defense. It was first down and ten, then second and short. Bradford, who up to today had been watching the team drill part of practice. He completed the first pass to his left side on a swing route for about seven yards, then he got the ball downfield on an inside route for another six yards, before completing another pass on the other side of the field for another five yards.
These plays were run in Chip Kelly’s up tempo style and you could see that Bradford was getting in a rhythm. it was one-two-three and the ball was out of his hands and each one of them was on the money. Each throw was a beautiful spiral that zipped out of Bradford’s hand. This was a little taste of what the Eagles hope we will see a lot of very soon.
There’s no question that Bradford is making progress. His confidence is growing as he gets more and more reps in this offense.
- Zach Ertz: Sam Bradford puts ball 'wherever he wants'
Phil Sheridan, ESPN Staff Writer
PHILADELPHIA – Zach Ertz made a splash this offseason by saying that Sam Bradford was the hardest-throwing quarterback he’s ever worked with.
Considering that Ertz caught passes from Michael Vick, Nick Foles and Mark Sanchez during his two seasons with the Eagles, that was quite a comment. Throw in Andrew Luck, Ertz’s quarterback when the two were teammates at Stanford, and you really get a pretty impressive list.
But it turns out there’s more. Ertz has gone to San Diego to work out with trainer Todd Durkin during this offseason. Durkin trains Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who was not throwing while Ertz was there.
“He was kind of taking a rest,” Ertz said. “But I threw with [Seattle’s] Russell Wilson. I threw with Andrew [Luck] back at Stanford. Wherever there’s a good quarterback, I’m going to try to go. I just focus on getting open. When the ball is there, catch the ball.”
At the Eagles’ practice Monday, Ertz caught a 50-yard touchdown pass from Bradford during 7-on-7 drills.
“The guy can put it wherever he wants,” Ertz said. “It’s fun running deep and having faith the ball’s going to be exactly where it needs to be. On that 50-yard completion, I didn’t have to do too much – just run as fast as I could. He put the ball exactly where he needed to.”
Bradford talked the other day about building relationships with his teammates. Even though his knee hasn’t been cleared for full participation in practice yet, Bradford said he makes a point of talking to receivers after a play or spending time together in the film room.
“Just coming in here to work every single day,” Ertz said, in answer to a question about what Bradford has done to fit in. “We don’t need him to be a rah-rah guy. We have a lot of rah-rah guys, motivational guys like DeMeco [Ryans] and Malcolm [Jenkins] and some of the guys on offense like JP [Jason Peters] who are going to rile guys up.
“Sam comes in and works every single day. It’s tough being the new guy, especially when you’re a quarterback, and having that leadership role. But he comes in every single day. You see him every day in the weight room, working hard and getting the knee ready. We have all the faith in the world in him.”
- [Redskins PK Kai] Forbath was part of the brightest moments of the day as the team lined up for a 23-yard field goal and holder Tress Way took the snap, flipped the ball to Forbath, who rolled out and lofted the ball to guard Spencer Long. It was a slow, wobbler, but Long was wide open and made the catch for the touchdown. Teammates — including Robert Griffin III — ran up to the offensive lineman and mobbed him for making the catch.
- Broyles a dad
Ryan Broyles was absent Wednesday and Caldwell said it was for personal reasons.
Broyles and his wife Mary Beth welcomed their first child on Saturday — Sebastien Reid Broyles.
- Evaluations at right guard turn to Vikings rookie Tyrus Thompson
by Andrew Krammer
ESPN.com
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Vikings drafted three college tackles and have worked each at guard as coaches sort through options to plug a hole on the right side.
During the team's final OTA practice on Thursday, the evaluations at right guard turned to sixth-round pick Tyrus Thompson after fellow rookie T.J. Clemmings saw most of the work with the starters up until this week.
"Today was the first time at right guard with the first team," Thompson said while carrying his helmet and another for a teammate, as custom for rookies. "It's been great, just learning. That's what it's all about."
The Vikings are searching for a guard to plug next to right tackle Phil Loadholt after moving Brandon Fusco to the left side this offseason. Charlie Johnson, the team's starting guard for three years, was released in February after the offensive line surrendered the fifth-most sacks (51) in the league.
Clemmings, a fourth-round pick, got the first look. He was forced to sit out the end of last week's practice open to the media after suffering an apparent foot/ankle injury. Clemmings said NFL teams found a stress fracture in his right foot during the draft process, but a league source said his injury was not his right foot. Clemmings practiced on Thursday, but with the second-team offense at right tackle.
Enter Thompson, who the Vikings drafted with the 185th overall pick in May. Thompson said he was told on draft day that he'd be expected to play all four positions on either side of center. Thompson has worked primarily at left tackle and both guard spots, he said.
Without pads until training camp, the men in the trenches are limited to what they can show off. For Thompson, it's about focusing on his own technique while positioning across from Sharrif Floyd or Linval Joseph.
"Footwork, hand placement and just going to the right people for all that type of stuff," Thompson said.
The 'right people' include Loadholt, a fellow graduate from the University of Oklahoma who Thompson met on campus. Loadholt has been limited during his recovery from a torn pectoral in November, but he has still been able to share some words of advice for the rookie.
"Phil and Sully [center John Sullivan], mostly," Thompson said. "Sometimes Matt [Kalil] helps me out, too, if I'm doing left tackle stuff. Who better to ask? They've been doing it for a while now."
- Vikings could get Anthony Barr, Phil Loadholt, Brian Robison back for minicamp
Ben Goessling, ESPN Staff Writer
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- So far in their offseason program, the Minnesota Vikings have been without a number of starters as they've dealt with lingering injuries. It sounds as though the Vikings could have something closer to a full roster for their mandatory minicamp next week, however.
Coach Mike Zimmer said on Thursday that the Vikings will have linebacker Anthony Barr, tackle Phil Loadholt and defensive end Brian Robison back with them for part of their minicamp, though it's unlikely the Vikings will bring any of the three players back to full participation as they seek to avoid a setback before training camp. Zimmer has not disclosed Barr's injury, other than to say he did not re-injure the knee he had surgically repaired at the end of last season. Robison has been limited to individual drills after sustaining a pectoral injury during a workout last month, and Loadholt is returning from a torn pectoral muscle he sustained at the end of last season.
"We're going to be careful with him," Zimmer said of Robison. "We may give him some of the individual work and some of the situation stuff, but we're going to be careful with him. Same with Loadholt."
- Defensive end Frank Alexander, who has been getting a lot of first-team reps, sat out with a groin injury, the extent of which is uncertain.
- Redskins: The field-flipper gets his due
Jamie Oakes - 18 hours ago
Rarely do punters draw praise they often deserve, considering their ability to flip the field or finesse a ball inside the ten, pinning the opposing offense to its goal line.
The Washington Redskins and head coach Jay Gruden have no issue with saying how impressive Tress Way is.
On Tuesday, Gruden was asked about Way’s leg strength and his directional punting.
"Directionals – whatever, man,” said Gruden. “He boots the crap out of it, that’s all I know. He’s going to break this bubble down before too long.”
After some laughs, Gruden continued about Way and his confidence in the position.
"He has really been impressive to me since we got him, not only as a punter but as a kid. His legs get stronger every day. But you’re right, we do need to work on directional.
"He’s got great hang time on his punts since I’ve seen him. He’s consistent. There are things he needs to work on, but I feel very, very good about that position.”
- Even though [Skins LT Trent] Williams lost 20 pounds by changing his diet to get down to 325 and boxed more and ran less in hopes of helping the ankle heal, when it hadn’t done so by late April, he flew to Charlotte to see noted foot specialist James Anderson, who diagnosed the torn ligament.
“It’s encouraging that we’ve got the right [treatment] plan,” said Williams, who aggravated the ankle while preparing for the Pro Bowl causing him to miss the game. “I want it 100 percent so I can put it behind me and give my team [my] best. I wasn’t as dynamic as I was accustomed to [last year]. Having a shoulder [injury], having a knee [injury], having an ankle, all that stuff kind of made me stay in the box and play fundamental football. Now I can kind of get back to chasing those back-side linebackers down, back-side safeties.”
- [Lions LBs] Kyle Van Noy and Travis Lewis continue to get quality reps at linebacker with Tulloch and Levy sitting out team periods. Van Noy is getting reps at both the SAM and WILL. Neither jumped out Wednesday in terms of making plays, though.
- [Vikings owner Zygi] Wilf was asked about the return of Adrian Peterson last week after the running back missed all but one game in 2014.
“He has a great heart, has been great for the community and that’s basically who he is,” Wilf said. “When you know that’s the character of that person, you believe in him and you move on. We know that his excitement and his heart will make this team better. You could see it by the way the other players respond to him. That’s why it is very exciting, that and everything else going on with the team. We have tremendous optimism going into the future.”
- Henry Melton Wowed by Gerald McCoy
Posted 23 hours ago
Joe Kania
Buccaneers.com
When Henry Melton arrived in Tampa after the Bucs signed him as a free agent this spring, he spoke about how excited he was to team up with three-time Pro Bowler, Gerald McCoy. Why wouldn’t he be – both players were among the ten-best pass-rushing defensive tackles in the league last season, per Pro Football Focus.
Melton has had a relationship with McCoy since the two met at the Pro Bowl in 2012. But they had never played together. Seeing McCoy in action during the Buccaneers’ Organized Team Activities (OTAs), though, has given Melton a newfound respect for the Bucs’ defensive captain.
“I really didn’t realize how good of a player Gerald is,” Melton said in a one-on-one interview with Buccaneers.com Senior Writer Scott Smith. “His work ethic is crazy. I’m just learning from that and trying to be a better player.”
McCoy is glad to have Melton in Tampa, too. After Melton was signed, McCoy sent him a text congratulating him on signing. “Yeaaaaa boy!! We ‘bout to tear something up,” McCoy said. “O-lines ‘bout to hate us rushing.”
“Ya nightmare,” Melton replied.
Melton is new to the Bucs, but isn’t new to Head Coach Lovie Smith’s defensive system. He played under Smith for three seasons in Chicago, during which he earned 15.5 sacks and a Pro Bowl nomination. His familiarity with the scheme, McCoy said, makes him a valuable asset.
“I think it’s always great to have guys that have been in the system that you play,” McCoy said during a press conference in April. “Coach (Smith) did a great job of bringing in guys who have been in the system that we play, guys have won games in the system that we play so they bring a lot of experience – something we need.”
- NO NEED FOR DEPTH CHART AT SAFETY
[Cards] Safeties Rashad Johnson and Deone Bucannon have lined up with the first unit in the base defense this offseason, but Arians doesn’t consider them the starters over Tyrann Mathieu and Tony Jefferson.
One of the strengths of the unit is its versatility, with Bucannon proving last year he can play linebacker and Mathieu able to seamlessly move to nickel cornerback. The quartet will be rotated depending on the formations presented by opposing offenses.
“We’ve got so many interchangeable parts and so many different packages, there’s really nobody ahead of anybody,” Arians said. “It depends what (the offense) puts on the field who is out there for us. Our best 11, however they match up.”
Peterson’s presence as an outside cornerback may be the only position that doesn’t change frequently in the secondary in 2015.
“That’s a credit to (former defensive coordinator Todd) Bowles, the way he built this defense,” Peterson said. “The identity of this defense was to have awesome cover guys. With coach Bowles being a secondary guy, we were basically his bread and butter. That’s why he blitzed so much. That’s why he put us in zero coverage all the time. Having these guys that are interchangeable -- like Jerraud (Powers), like Tyrann, like Bucannon, like Rashad -- having so many guys that can play so many positions helps us out in the long run.”
- It was a busy day for the [49ers] fullbacks. Both Bruce Miller and Trey Millard caught several passes out of the backfield.
- [49ers] Rookie tight end Blake Bell made a couple nice catches for significant gains. He created space for a touchdown from rookie quarterback Dylan Thompson in 11 vs. 11 drills and pulled down a quick pass in traffic from Blaine Gabbert in the 7 vs. 7 session.
- Blake Bell, tight end. Beat Reid over the middle for a 20-yard touchdown on third-and-10 during the “2-minute” drill. Blaine Gabbert threw the pass, which hit Bell in stride.
- Blake Bell, tight end. Also made four catches during team drills, including a 15-yarder and a 20-yarder down the seam. He has outstanding hands, but can he hold onto the ball over the middle when he takes a hit in a real game? No one can touch him during minicamp.
Last season Mosley collected 26 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 15 games for the Lions who finished last season as the NFL’s top run defense. The Dolphins’ signing of Mosley is not an indictment on the Dolphins’ 2nd round pick Jordan Phillips as they like what they have seen from him during OTAs. At 6-foot-2, 312 pounds, Mosley adds another big body up front who will aid the Dolphins in stopping the run.
- Steelers QB Landry Jones 'a little up and down' in OTAs
Jeremy Fowler, ESPN Senior NFL Writer
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted fourth-rounder Landry Jones higher than any other quarterback since 2005. He has work to do to validate that billing.
The third-year quarterback has been "a little up and down" in organized team activities, Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley said while meeting with the media after Wednesday's session.
Jones has gotten valuable reps while backup Bruce Gradkowski has been sitting out.
"He's working hard and it's a tough spot to be in, being the third guy," Haley said. "He's gotten thrust into getting a little more with Bruce being out, so he's got to take advantage of the opportunity."
Also in the quarterback mix is former sixth-round pick Tajh Boyd and undrafted free agent Devin Gardner, who quarterbacked at Michigan but is a wide receiver option, as well.
Gradkowski enters his 10th NFL season. The Steelers could groom Jones to eventually take ownership of the backup position behind Ben Roethlisberger, who's 33. He must be better than "up and down" to do just that.
If Jones isn't in the team's long-term plans, perhaps the Steelers could employ a Patriots strategy with Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo -- draft a second-round quarterback to develop during Roethlisberger's final stage.
- Jacksonville Jaguars Who've Turned Heads in Offseason Workouts
By Evan Reier , Featured Columnist
Jun 7, 2015
Aaron Colvin has been turning heads since he first stepped on the field in teal and black, but his performance over the past few weeks has been special. He's shown how incredible a talent he is and can be.
The Jaguars used Colvin as a nickel corner for the majority of 2014, and that's what they expected of him this offseason. But instead of sticking to an inside spot, he's now impressed enough to earn reps on the outside with the starters.
It's not often you see a corner have the ability to play inside and out comfortably, but Colvin isn't a typical corner.
People are quick to forget how highly praised he was in college before his ACL tear at the 2014 Senior Bowl. According to Aaron Suttles of TideSports.com, that praise included fourth overall 2015 NFL draft selection Amari Cooper saying Colvin was the best corner he faced in college.
It may seem like his ability to play both inside and out is a surprise, but Colvin has consistently shown that he is one of the Jaguars' best young talents. He's turning heads like he should, but it may not be all that surprising.
This isn't to take away from Colvin's recent performances.
He's impressing, and having him on the team is one more positive that will help the Jaguars this season. Whether he'll see more time on the outside or inside will be answered during the season.
- [Raiders WR] Amari Cooper made some nice catches, but was frustrated when he dropped a few. The worst came when a Derek Carr pass clanked off his hands and was intercepted by linebacker Curtis Lofton in the opposing red zone.
- [Chiefs CB] Jamell Fleming had a couple of nice pass breakups and an interception during team drills. On two of the pass breakups, Fleming had perfect timing to knock the ball down as the receiver attempted to bring it in to make the catch. On the interception, Fleming broke in front of the receiver to pick off the attempted pass from Chase Daniel.
- We’re starting to see more snaps where [Cowboys TE] Gavin Escobar is lined up along the line of scrimmage and being used as a point-of-attack blocker. Escobar will never make you forget Jason Witten or James Hanna, but the fact that the offensive coaches are putting him in those situations makes me feel like their confidence level in him has improved in that area. We will see if this carries over to training camp.
- Johnson uses MMA to stay fit for the fight
By Bob Grotz
6/9/2015
It’s just not possible to train with Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) guys without fantasizing about fighting in the octagon.
And so it was for Lane Johnson, the Eagles’ offensive tackle who worked over the offseason with Randy Couture and Chuck Lidell, among others champs, at MMA Athletics in West Hollywood.
He’s been to their no-holds-barred, will-against-will fights. Maybe …..
“I’d have to drop a lot of weight to get in the ring,” the 6-6, 305-pound Johnson said with a grin. “But I’ve never seriously considered fighting. mean that’s the toughest sport there is. They don’t get a lot of notoriety, but those guys go through hell with what they do. It’s not even close compared to what football is.”
Football is a little easier for Johnson thanks to MMA training. For roughly five hours a day Johnson boxed, wrestled, stretched and participated in other activities to improve his strength for the every-down wars along the line of scrimmage.
Johnson was turned on to the program by Denver Broncos Pro Bowl offensive tackle Ryan Clady, who in May tore an ACL during a blocking drill.
Johnson knows of several NFL players involved in the training, including tight end Mercedes Lewis, safety Dashon Goldson and offensive tackle Kyle Long.
“I just wanted to do something different,” Johnson said. “A lot of guys will go hit the weights and get strong like that, but they come out here and they can’t utilize it. I just wanted to do something to get better in my hips and get better with my hands and conditioning-wise. We did a lot of body-on-body work like wrestling and stuff. Same stuff we’re doing out here. Run blocking is body on body. It just gives you a way to get functional strength involved instead of always lifting.”
The work shows. Johnson is popping out of his skin like The Rock, albeit much more naturally. During a line drill Johnson unintentionally jacked up the 300-pounder and the dummy he was holding, startling offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.
“Short jab, not a lot of winding up,” Stoutland explained. “It’s just a short jab on the bag. He just imploded the guy. The person that was holding the bag, everything, he just kind of got jabbed back.
I’ve never seen him do that.”
Johnson concedes it’s strange lining up at OTAs without Todd Herremans, who played next to him for much of the last two years. A mentor to Johnson, Herremans was released in the offseason after 10 years.
There’s a constant procession of replacements rotating in and out at right guard as Stoutland and Chip Kelly determine Herremans’ successor.
“I was used to playing next to Todd, (Matt) Tobin and (Andrew) Gardner,” Johnson said. “So I’m used to playing next to Tobin and Gardner, so it’s not a big change for me.”
Dennis Kelly also has spent time at right guard in practice.
The offseason changes for the Eagles extend to running back where LeSean McCoy was traded and Kelly added defending NFL rushing champion DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews. Johnson already is daydreaming about the mismatches the Eagles can create.
“DeMarco is a beast, Ryan Mathews is a beast,” Johnson said. “Both of them run extremely hard. And (Darren) Sproles is a great change-of-pace back. He can do it all. We’re going to have a big arsenal back there.”
Stoutland thinks this is the year that Johnson, Kelly’s first NFL draft pick, takes his game to another level. Johnson’s 2014 season was detoured by a four-game NFL suspension for taking a banned substance.
“He’s getting better every single year,” Stoutland said. “I told him, I said, ‘now we’re going to another level way above what you ever thought.’ And that’s the goal. He really put himself in a great position to do that in the offseason. He came back here in unbelievable shape. He put a lot of time in on his own working on areas we talked about him prior to leaving … hands, stuff like that.”
Johnson says he feels quicker, his hands feel stronger and his core strength is off the charts.
“I’ve been playing real low,” Johnson said. “My hands have been good. I feel like I’m right where I need to be.”
Johnson’s goal is to be “one of the best.”
Linemen, not MMA fighters.
- Sam Bradford In Team Drill And In Rhythm
Posted by GarryCobb BREAKING NEWS, Eagles, News, Quarterbacks Tuesday, June 9th, 2015
For four plays this afternoon we got a glimpse of what will hopefully be the future for Chip Kelly and the Philadelphia Eagles. For a little over two minutes, Sam Bradford took control of the Philadelphia Eagles offense.
It was a game situation team drill, when the Birds number one offense was taking on the number one defense. It was first down and ten, then second and short. Bradford, who up to today had been watching the team drill part of practice. He completed the first pass to his left side on a swing route for about seven yards, then he got the ball downfield on an inside route for another six yards, before completing another pass on the other side of the field for another five yards.
These plays were run in Chip Kelly’s up tempo style and you could see that Bradford was getting in a rhythm. it was one-two-three and the ball was out of his hands and each one of them was on the money. Each throw was a beautiful spiral that zipped out of Bradford’s hand. This was a little taste of what the Eagles hope we will see a lot of very soon.
There’s no question that Bradford is making progress. His confidence is growing as he gets more and more reps in this offense.
- Zach Ertz: Sam Bradford puts ball 'wherever he wants'
Phil Sheridan, ESPN Staff Writer
PHILADELPHIA – Zach Ertz made a splash this offseason by saying that Sam Bradford was the hardest-throwing quarterback he’s ever worked with.
Considering that Ertz caught passes from Michael Vick, Nick Foles and Mark Sanchez during his two seasons with the Eagles, that was quite a comment. Throw in Andrew Luck, Ertz’s quarterback when the two were teammates at Stanford, and you really get a pretty impressive list.
But it turns out there’s more. Ertz has gone to San Diego to work out with trainer Todd Durkin during this offseason. Durkin trains Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who was not throwing while Ertz was there.
“He was kind of taking a rest,” Ertz said. “But I threw with [Seattle’s] Russell Wilson. I threw with Andrew [Luck] back at Stanford. Wherever there’s a good quarterback, I’m going to try to go. I just focus on getting open. When the ball is there, catch the ball.”
At the Eagles’ practice Monday, Ertz caught a 50-yard touchdown pass from Bradford during 7-on-7 drills.
“The guy can put it wherever he wants,” Ertz said. “It’s fun running deep and having faith the ball’s going to be exactly where it needs to be. On that 50-yard completion, I didn’t have to do too much – just run as fast as I could. He put the ball exactly where he needed to.”
Bradford talked the other day about building relationships with his teammates. Even though his knee hasn’t been cleared for full participation in practice yet, Bradford said he makes a point of talking to receivers after a play or spending time together in the film room.
“Just coming in here to work every single day,” Ertz said, in answer to a question about what Bradford has done to fit in. “We don’t need him to be a rah-rah guy. We have a lot of rah-rah guys, motivational guys like DeMeco [Ryans] and Malcolm [Jenkins] and some of the guys on offense like JP [Jason Peters] who are going to rile guys up.
“Sam comes in and works every single day. It’s tough being the new guy, especially when you’re a quarterback, and having that leadership role. But he comes in every single day. You see him every day in the weight room, working hard and getting the knee ready. We have all the faith in the world in him.”
- [Redskins PK Kai] Forbath was part of the brightest moments of the day as the team lined up for a 23-yard field goal and holder Tress Way took the snap, flipped the ball to Forbath, who rolled out and lofted the ball to guard Spencer Long. It was a slow, wobbler, but Long was wide open and made the catch for the touchdown. Teammates — including Robert Griffin III — ran up to the offensive lineman and mobbed him for making the catch.
- Broyles a dad
Ryan Broyles was absent Wednesday and Caldwell said it was for personal reasons.
Broyles and his wife Mary Beth welcomed their first child on Saturday — Sebastien Reid Broyles.
- Evaluations at right guard turn to Vikings rookie Tyrus Thompson
by Andrew Krammer
ESPN.com
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Vikings drafted three college tackles and have worked each at guard as coaches sort through options to plug a hole on the right side.
During the team's final OTA practice on Thursday, the evaluations at right guard turned to sixth-round pick Tyrus Thompson after fellow rookie T.J. Clemmings saw most of the work with the starters up until this week.
"Today was the first time at right guard with the first team," Thompson said while carrying his helmet and another for a teammate, as custom for rookies. "It's been great, just learning. That's what it's all about."
The Vikings are searching for a guard to plug next to right tackle Phil Loadholt after moving Brandon Fusco to the left side this offseason. Charlie Johnson, the team's starting guard for three years, was released in February after the offensive line surrendered the fifth-most sacks (51) in the league.
Clemmings, a fourth-round pick, got the first look. He was forced to sit out the end of last week's practice open to the media after suffering an apparent foot/ankle injury. Clemmings said NFL teams found a stress fracture in his right foot during the draft process, but a league source said his injury was not his right foot. Clemmings practiced on Thursday, but with the second-team offense at right tackle.
Enter Thompson, who the Vikings drafted with the 185th overall pick in May. Thompson said he was told on draft day that he'd be expected to play all four positions on either side of center. Thompson has worked primarily at left tackle and both guard spots, he said.
Without pads until training camp, the men in the trenches are limited to what they can show off. For Thompson, it's about focusing on his own technique while positioning across from Sharrif Floyd or Linval Joseph.
"Footwork, hand placement and just going to the right people for all that type of stuff," Thompson said.
The 'right people' include Loadholt, a fellow graduate from the University of Oklahoma who Thompson met on campus. Loadholt has been limited during his recovery from a torn pectoral in November, but he has still been able to share some words of advice for the rookie.
"Phil and Sully [center John Sullivan], mostly," Thompson said. "Sometimes Matt [Kalil] helps me out, too, if I'm doing left tackle stuff. Who better to ask? They've been doing it for a while now."
- Vikings could get Anthony Barr, Phil Loadholt, Brian Robison back for minicamp
Ben Goessling, ESPN Staff Writer
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- So far in their offseason program, the Minnesota Vikings have been without a number of starters as they've dealt with lingering injuries. It sounds as though the Vikings could have something closer to a full roster for their mandatory minicamp next week, however.
Coach Mike Zimmer said on Thursday that the Vikings will have linebacker Anthony Barr, tackle Phil Loadholt and defensive end Brian Robison back with them for part of their minicamp, though it's unlikely the Vikings will bring any of the three players back to full participation as they seek to avoid a setback before training camp. Zimmer has not disclosed Barr's injury, other than to say he did not re-injure the knee he had surgically repaired at the end of last season. Robison has been limited to individual drills after sustaining a pectoral injury during a workout last month, and Loadholt is returning from a torn pectoral muscle he sustained at the end of last season.
"We're going to be careful with him," Zimmer said of Robison. "We may give him some of the individual work and some of the situation stuff, but we're going to be careful with him. Same with Loadholt."
- Defensive end Frank Alexander, who has been getting a lot of first-team reps, sat out with a groin injury, the extent of which is uncertain.
- Redskins: The field-flipper gets his due
Jamie Oakes - 18 hours ago
Rarely do punters draw praise they often deserve, considering their ability to flip the field or finesse a ball inside the ten, pinning the opposing offense to its goal line.
The Washington Redskins and head coach Jay Gruden have no issue with saying how impressive Tress Way is.
On Tuesday, Gruden was asked about Way’s leg strength and his directional punting.
"Directionals – whatever, man,” said Gruden. “He boots the crap out of it, that’s all I know. He’s going to break this bubble down before too long.”
After some laughs, Gruden continued about Way and his confidence in the position.
"He has really been impressive to me since we got him, not only as a punter but as a kid. His legs get stronger every day. But you’re right, we do need to work on directional.
"He’s got great hang time on his punts since I’ve seen him. He’s consistent. There are things he needs to work on, but I feel very, very good about that position.”
- Even though [Skins LT Trent] Williams lost 20 pounds by changing his diet to get down to 325 and boxed more and ran less in hopes of helping the ankle heal, when it hadn’t done so by late April, he flew to Charlotte to see noted foot specialist James Anderson, who diagnosed the torn ligament.
“It’s encouraging that we’ve got the right [treatment] plan,” said Williams, who aggravated the ankle while preparing for the Pro Bowl causing him to miss the game. “I want it 100 percent so I can put it behind me and give my team [my] best. I wasn’t as dynamic as I was accustomed to [last year]. Having a shoulder [injury], having a knee [injury], having an ankle, all that stuff kind of made me stay in the box and play fundamental football. Now I can kind of get back to chasing those back-side linebackers down, back-side safeties.”
- [Lions LBs] Kyle Van Noy and Travis Lewis continue to get quality reps at linebacker with Tulloch and Levy sitting out team periods. Van Noy is getting reps at both the SAM and WILL. Neither jumped out Wednesday in terms of making plays, though.
- [Vikings owner Zygi] Wilf was asked about the return of Adrian Peterson last week after the running back missed all but one game in 2014.
“He has a great heart, has been great for the community and that’s basically who he is,” Wilf said. “When you know that’s the character of that person, you believe in him and you move on. We know that his excitement and his heart will make this team better. You could see it by the way the other players respond to him. That’s why it is very exciting, that and everything else going on with the team. We have tremendous optimism going into the future.”
- Henry Melton Wowed by Gerald McCoy
Posted 23 hours ago
Joe Kania
Buccaneers.com
When Henry Melton arrived in Tampa after the Bucs signed him as a free agent this spring, he spoke about how excited he was to team up with three-time Pro Bowler, Gerald McCoy. Why wouldn’t he be – both players were among the ten-best pass-rushing defensive tackles in the league last season, per Pro Football Focus.
Melton has had a relationship with McCoy since the two met at the Pro Bowl in 2012. But they had never played together. Seeing McCoy in action during the Buccaneers’ Organized Team Activities (OTAs), though, has given Melton a newfound respect for the Bucs’ defensive captain.
“I really didn’t realize how good of a player Gerald is,” Melton said in a one-on-one interview with Buccaneers.com Senior Writer Scott Smith. “His work ethic is crazy. I’m just learning from that and trying to be a better player.”
McCoy is glad to have Melton in Tampa, too. After Melton was signed, McCoy sent him a text congratulating him on signing. “Yeaaaaa boy!! We ‘bout to tear something up,” McCoy said. “O-lines ‘bout to hate us rushing.”
“Ya nightmare,” Melton replied.
Melton is new to the Bucs, but isn’t new to Head Coach Lovie Smith’s defensive system. He played under Smith for three seasons in Chicago, during which he earned 15.5 sacks and a Pro Bowl nomination. His familiarity with the scheme, McCoy said, makes him a valuable asset.
“I think it’s always great to have guys that have been in the system that you play,” McCoy said during a press conference in April. “Coach (Smith) did a great job of bringing in guys who have been in the system that we play, guys have won games in the system that we play so they bring a lot of experience – something we need.”
- NO NEED FOR DEPTH CHART AT SAFETY
[Cards] Safeties Rashad Johnson and Deone Bucannon have lined up with the first unit in the base defense this offseason, but Arians doesn’t consider them the starters over Tyrann Mathieu and Tony Jefferson.
One of the strengths of the unit is its versatility, with Bucannon proving last year he can play linebacker and Mathieu able to seamlessly move to nickel cornerback. The quartet will be rotated depending on the formations presented by opposing offenses.
“We’ve got so many interchangeable parts and so many different packages, there’s really nobody ahead of anybody,” Arians said. “It depends what (the offense) puts on the field who is out there for us. Our best 11, however they match up.”
Peterson’s presence as an outside cornerback may be the only position that doesn’t change frequently in the secondary in 2015.
“That’s a credit to (former defensive coordinator Todd) Bowles, the way he built this defense,” Peterson said. “The identity of this defense was to have awesome cover guys. With coach Bowles being a secondary guy, we were basically his bread and butter. That’s why he blitzed so much. That’s why he put us in zero coverage all the time. Having these guys that are interchangeable -- like Jerraud (Powers), like Tyrann, like Bucannon, like Rashad -- having so many guys that can play so many positions helps us out in the long run.”
- It was a busy day for the [49ers] fullbacks. Both Bruce Miller and Trey Millard caught several passes out of the backfield.
- [49ers] Rookie tight end Blake Bell made a couple nice catches for significant gains. He created space for a touchdown from rookie quarterback Dylan Thompson in 11 vs. 11 drills and pulled down a quick pass in traffic from Blaine Gabbert in the 7 vs. 7 session.
- Blake Bell, tight end. Beat Reid over the middle for a 20-yard touchdown on third-and-10 during the “2-minute” drill. Blaine Gabbert threw the pass, which hit Bell in stride.
- Blake Bell, tight end. Also made four catches during team drills, including a 15-yarder and a 20-yarder down the seam. He has outstanding hands, but can he hold onto the ball over the middle when he takes a hit in a real game? No one can touch him during minicamp.
