- Eight different [Dolphins] players fielded kickoffs during practice: Christion Jones, Damarr Aultman, Bobby McCain, Damien Williams, LaMichael James, Landry, Hazel and Jay Ajayi.
- Kenny Stills Will Have A Career Year In First Season With Miami Dolphins
By Trevor Lowry @TheTrevorLowry on June 5, 2015
Ryan Tannehill should be very happy with what the Miami Dolphins have provided him with during the offseason.
Although DeVante Parker was the prize of the Dolphins’ draft, it is Kenny Stills who is going to have a career year.
It may be Stills’ first season in Miami — and he also caught passes from the amazing Drew Brees last year — but Stills very well could be option No. 1 on the offensive side of the ball. Stills is also only 23 years old, which makes the New Orleans Saints‘ decision to part ways with him all that more confusing.
Mr. Stills is coming off a season in which he came up just short of the 1,000-yard receiving mark (931 yards) and he also had three scores.
Eventually, you would think Parker would get a bunch of footballs thrown his way (he was pick No. 14 in the 2015 NFL Draft, after all), but Parker also just had surgery. Translation: It is Stills’ time to shine, and all the reps over the summer will only help his cause.
Tannehill will have plenty of talented targets to throw to in 2015, but it is Stills who everyone should be watching out for.
Stills for 1,000+ receiving yards in the upcoming season? Oh yeah, it’s in the bag.
- Tajh Boyd will Unseat Landry Jones on Steelers Roster
When the Steelers signed former Clemson Quarterback Tajh Boyd back in March, many chalked it up to just another camp arm like Brendon Kay and John Parker Wilson before him.
John Parker Wilson outplayed Landry Jones in 2013, but the team wasn’t going to cut a rookie 4th round pick. Brendon Kay had some nice tools last season but the competition between him and Jones was a push at best.
I believe in 2015 the Steelers found some true competition for Landry Jones. I also believe with it being his 3rd season the team can no longer hand him a roster spot because he was drafted in the 4th round.
I very rarely just flat out hate a pick the Steelers make, but the selection of Jones was just awful.
Tajh Boyd to this point has just been one of those guys that had a good skill set, but had trouble picking up a pro-style offense. Boyd himself admitted he struggled with the Jets’ playbook in his rookie season.
He’ll need to get better in that department obviously, but I think that the team is going to see Boyd’s arm and give him a chance at being the Steelers’ #3 Quarterback this season.
Obliviously you need to Tajh to learn the playbook, but I’ve always enjoyed having an athletic backup QB, and one with a cannon doesn’t hurt either.
The reality is if Tajh is playing, we’re in trouble… But if it’s in the short term, why not get creative and run some read option stuff? Teams don’t prepare for that when facing the Steelers, and the defense would have to respect Boyd’s arm on the deep ball which would open things up.
I’ve read that Devin Gardner has been play some Quarterback as well in OTA’s, but I wouldn’t pay much attention to that. It’s possible if Gardner looks like he can win a spot as a receiver and special teamer, that he’d also be the emergency QB. All that seems very unlikely to me though.
It’s just one blogger’s opinion, but I’m putting my money on the upside of Tajh Boyd this preseason.
- [Jags CB Aaron Colvin Turning Heads in OTAs - could not cut and paste]: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2489175-jacksonville-jaguars-whove-turned-heads-in-offseason-workouts/page/3
- Jaguars.com LIVE: Aaron Colvin, five takeaways
Posted Jun 3, 2015
John Oehser
Senior writer
jaguars.com
JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser’s five takeaways from Wednesday’s Jaguars.com LIVE with Jaguars CB Aaron Colvin …
1.Colvin is confident. Colvin unquestionably has the confidence of a cornerback – and in the NFL, that’s a good, necessary thing. Colvin, selected by the Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft from the University of Oklahoma, played the final six games last season after missing the first ten while recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He played mostly as a nickel back last season, starting one game, with a fumble for a touchdown and two passes defensed. While he made enough of an impact to be a player many believe can be a key part of the defense moving forward, he said his expectations go beyond what he accomplished. “I expected that out of myself, as far as the productivity,” Colvin said. “I wanted to go out there and actually do more. I wanted to create more turnovers for my defense. I wanted to go out there and make my presence felt. Some games I felt like I did and some games I felt like I could have done more.”
2.Colvin is on the move … Colvin played well as the nickel in the slot last season, with the six-game stint essentially being his first time playing inside. He has played well enough that during 2015 OTAs he’s also getting a look with the first team at the outside position that he considers his more natural spot. “They’re throwing me from inside to outside,” he said. “Outside – that’s my home. That’s where I’ve been playing my whole college career. Inside, I’m still growing. I feel like I’m still growing as a player at both positions. Whatever it is they ask me to do, that’s what I’m going to do. They let me know it can be difficult at times. I just take it as a challenge and I’m going to run with it.”
3… and he feels he can handle moving. Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley said recently he has spoken with Colvin about the challenge of being asked to play both outside and inside. While Bradley said he told Colvin there were challenges to playing both spots, Colvin said he believes he can handle the multiple duties. “To be truthful, it’s not difficult to me,” Colvin said. “People tell me that it can be challenging and it’s going to be a tough thing to do, but honestly it’s just playing football. I feel like I’m a football player and wherever you play me it’s my job to go out there and lock them up. Whether I’m inside, whether I’m outside – as long as I’m mentally prepared and mentally ready to go out there and perform at a high level, then I’m going to go out and make plays.”
4.Colvin respects the interior. With the continued emphasis on passing in the NFL, the nickel corner – the third corner on the field in passing situations – has taken on increased importance on recent seasons. Some observers essentially consider it a starting position, and Jaguars General Manager David Caldwell when discussing Colvin this offseason has repeatedly discussed the importance the Jaguars place on the role. Colvin said he agrees that the position is critical. “With all the offenses you see now, you have big-time receivers everywhere,” he said. “You see big-time receivers in the slot now, so the nickel position is really growing as far as you’ve got to have one. I take it as a compliment that they want me inside, because you have to be quick. There’s more room on the inside.” He then added with a smile, “I can’t lie. I do like being on an island sometimes.”
5.Working in June is better than not. Count Colvin as one player who absolutely doesn’t mind practicing in OTAs. Colvin spent the entire offseason in 2014 rehabilitating his ACL, and said the chance to be involved in the entire offseason program is important as he prepares for his second NFL season. “I get a chance just to grow,” Colvin said. “You can watch all the film you want. You can get in the playbook all you want. But until you get all those physical reps, I don’t feel like you can grow as a player. Right now, I’m getting a chance to do that. I get a chance to get critiqued on what I’m doing. I get a chance to make mistakes, correct them and get ready for the season.”
- [Titans] Starting center Brian Schwenke did not participate in Monday's OTA session due to a hamstring strain and rookie Andy Gallik left the OTA session early with the same injury. Guard Andy Levitre saw plenty of center snaps on Monday. Gabe Ikard, who's coming off ACL surgery last year, is the only other center listed on the roster.
- At inside linebacker, Todd Davis has continued his surprising ascent from undrafted rookie who was waived by New Orleans last year to Broncos' starter. The other inside linebacker position belongs to either Steven Johnson, Lamin Barrow or Corey Nelson.
- Star of the week: Todd Davis, linebacker, entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie out of Sacramento State in 2014. He signed with the New Orleans Saints, who released him last November and the Broncos claimed him off waivers.
Davis intercepted a Brock Osweiler pass during Monday’s practice, and has frequently been around the ball during OTAs. With Danny Trevathan and Brandon Marshall both sidelined as they recover from 2014 injuries, Davis and Steven Johnson have worked as the first-team inside linebackers.
Davis appears to have the lead on 2014 draft picks Lamin Barrow and Corey Nelson for playing time.
- New Man in the Middle – Curtis Lofton
Nick Roach is out and Curtis Lofton is in at middle linebacker. Lofton recently returned to action after missing time with an injury. It will be interesting to see his command of the defensive huddle develop this week. Lofton comes over from the New Orleans Saints. He entered the NFL in 2008 with the Atlanta Falcons. Lofton has only missed one game in his entire career.
- Durable veteran LB Lofton out to earn Raiders' respect
FOX Sports
JUN 04, 2015 11:24p ET
Curtis Lofton is already making defensive calls and checks for his new team.
But despite his veteran status, he feels he still needs to win the Raiders locker room over.
“You have a reputation that people know who you are, but at the same time, you have to come in and earn everyone’s respect,” Lofton told the team's official website. “That’s what I’ve been doing. How you earn everyone’s respect is by coming in, studying, knowing the defense, and helping guys get lined up and just working. The work is going to speak for itself.”
Lofton's body of work should make him an early team captain favorite. He's started 111 straight games since the Falcons drafted him in 2008. He's tallied 100 tackles in six straight seasons, including 144 take-downs with the Saints last year. There's not much he hasn't seen.
"He’s a veteran linebacker, understands what it takes to perform in this league," head coach Jack Del Rio said. "He’s doing a good job of providing some of that leadership in the meeting rooms and out on the field."
There's a reason why general manager Reggie McKenzie targeted Lofton. With Nick Roach out last season, the defense struggled to make routine plays. That shouldn't be an issue with a veteran like Lofton out there for Oakland.
- Q: How is Donald Stephenson doing?
[Chiefs OL Coach Andy] HECK: “Donald is a super talented guy. He’s come in. He’s working his butt off. He’s been great in the classroom, so he has a great opportunity.”
- Five Chiefs Who Could Lose their Job in 2015
Tackle Donald Stephenson
Suspended for the first four game of last season, Donald Stephenson got off to a bad start. Then, despite poor play from Tackle Ryan Harris, Andy Reid refused to start Stephenson even after he returned from his suspension. Now, in the final year of his rookie deal, the 26 year old Stephenson is no lock to start in 2015. Guard Jeff Allen, who missed all of last year due to a bicep injury in his elbow, is also competing for the starting Right Tackle position. John Dorsey has given him a “clean slate”, but with so many talented players in the competition, Stephenson has no margin for error.
- The other [Chiefs] two corners returning from 2014 are Jamell Fleming and Marcus Cooper. I can see Fleming making the Chiefs as the 5th corner but I don’t think Marcus Cooper sticks with the Chiefs in 2015. Cooper started his short Chiefs career playing phenomenal as a rookie and started to struggle towards the end of the year after being picked apart by Peyton Manning. In 2014 he got in the coaches doghouse early in the season and never showed the potential that he displayed early in 2013. Fleming came to the Chiefs as FA before the 2014 season and showed promise and poise down the stretch filling in as a corner on the outside due to injuries. Fleming is probably not an every down corner but he is good depth and is solid in protection if needed due to injuries.
- Chiefs don't seem rattled by prospect of inexperienced long snapper
Adam Teicher, ESPN Staff Writer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- For the first time since 2008, the Kansas City Chiefs will have someone new snapping for punts and placement kicks. The Chiefs allowed their longtime snapper, Thomas Gafford, to depart as a free agent.
The two snappers they have in camp, James Winchester and Andrew East, have never snapped in a regular-season game. Winchester has bounced around for a couple of years without sticking with an NFL team while East is an undrafted rookie who snapped in college at Vanderbilt.
If the prospect of going with an untested player at a position where teams usually demand experience is unsettling to special teams coordinator Dave Toub, he isn’t showing it.
"By the time we’re done with training camp and maybe before that, we’ll know who our long snapper is going to be,’’ Toub said. “The good thing is I like both of these guys. I think both of them can do it in the NFL and we’re going to get the best one.’’
The Chiefs have been working both players in offseason practice. But their craft is much different now in practice with no pads and no contact than it will be come the regular season. The pressure is different and the Chiefs may not be able to gauge their abilities to handle that until the preseason.
"The thing we don’t know is how they’re going to protect (at live speed),’’ Toub said. “Those are the things you’re not going to be able to know until you get into a preseason game or training camp.’’
- Kenny Stills Will Have A Career Year In First Season With Miami Dolphins
By Trevor Lowry @TheTrevorLowry on June 5, 2015
Ryan Tannehill should be very happy with what the Miami Dolphins have provided him with during the offseason.
Although DeVante Parker was the prize of the Dolphins’ draft, it is Kenny Stills who is going to have a career year.
It may be Stills’ first season in Miami — and he also caught passes from the amazing Drew Brees last year — but Stills very well could be option No. 1 on the offensive side of the ball. Stills is also only 23 years old, which makes the New Orleans Saints‘ decision to part ways with him all that more confusing.
Mr. Stills is coming off a season in which he came up just short of the 1,000-yard receiving mark (931 yards) and he also had three scores.
Eventually, you would think Parker would get a bunch of footballs thrown his way (he was pick No. 14 in the 2015 NFL Draft, after all), but Parker also just had surgery. Translation: It is Stills’ time to shine, and all the reps over the summer will only help his cause.
Tannehill will have plenty of talented targets to throw to in 2015, but it is Stills who everyone should be watching out for.
Stills for 1,000+ receiving yards in the upcoming season? Oh yeah, it’s in the bag.
- Tajh Boyd will Unseat Landry Jones on Steelers Roster
When the Steelers signed former Clemson Quarterback Tajh Boyd back in March, many chalked it up to just another camp arm like Brendon Kay and John Parker Wilson before him.
John Parker Wilson outplayed Landry Jones in 2013, but the team wasn’t going to cut a rookie 4th round pick. Brendon Kay had some nice tools last season but the competition between him and Jones was a push at best.
I believe in 2015 the Steelers found some true competition for Landry Jones. I also believe with it being his 3rd season the team can no longer hand him a roster spot because he was drafted in the 4th round.
I very rarely just flat out hate a pick the Steelers make, but the selection of Jones was just awful.
Tajh Boyd to this point has just been one of those guys that had a good skill set, but had trouble picking up a pro-style offense. Boyd himself admitted he struggled with the Jets’ playbook in his rookie season.
He’ll need to get better in that department obviously, but I think that the team is going to see Boyd’s arm and give him a chance at being the Steelers’ #3 Quarterback this season.
Obliviously you need to Tajh to learn the playbook, but I’ve always enjoyed having an athletic backup QB, and one with a cannon doesn’t hurt either.
The reality is if Tajh is playing, we’re in trouble… But if it’s in the short term, why not get creative and run some read option stuff? Teams don’t prepare for that when facing the Steelers, and the defense would have to respect Boyd’s arm on the deep ball which would open things up.
I’ve read that Devin Gardner has been play some Quarterback as well in OTA’s, but I wouldn’t pay much attention to that. It’s possible if Gardner looks like he can win a spot as a receiver and special teamer, that he’d also be the emergency QB. All that seems very unlikely to me though.
It’s just one blogger’s opinion, but I’m putting my money on the upside of Tajh Boyd this preseason.
- [Jags CB Aaron Colvin Turning Heads in OTAs - could not cut and paste]: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2489175-jacksonville-jaguars-whove-turned-heads-in-offseason-workouts/page/3
- Jaguars.com LIVE: Aaron Colvin, five takeaways
Posted Jun 3, 2015
John Oehser
Senior writer
jaguars.com
JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser’s five takeaways from Wednesday’s Jaguars.com LIVE with Jaguars CB Aaron Colvin …
1.Colvin is confident. Colvin unquestionably has the confidence of a cornerback – and in the NFL, that’s a good, necessary thing. Colvin, selected by the Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft from the University of Oklahoma, played the final six games last season after missing the first ten while recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He played mostly as a nickel back last season, starting one game, with a fumble for a touchdown and two passes defensed. While he made enough of an impact to be a player many believe can be a key part of the defense moving forward, he said his expectations go beyond what he accomplished. “I expected that out of myself, as far as the productivity,” Colvin said. “I wanted to go out there and actually do more. I wanted to create more turnovers for my defense. I wanted to go out there and make my presence felt. Some games I felt like I did and some games I felt like I could have done more.”
2.Colvin is on the move … Colvin played well as the nickel in the slot last season, with the six-game stint essentially being his first time playing inside. He has played well enough that during 2015 OTAs he’s also getting a look with the first team at the outside position that he considers his more natural spot. “They’re throwing me from inside to outside,” he said. “Outside – that’s my home. That’s where I’ve been playing my whole college career. Inside, I’m still growing. I feel like I’m still growing as a player at both positions. Whatever it is they ask me to do, that’s what I’m going to do. They let me know it can be difficult at times. I just take it as a challenge and I’m going to run with it.”
3… and he feels he can handle moving. Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley said recently he has spoken with Colvin about the challenge of being asked to play both outside and inside. While Bradley said he told Colvin there were challenges to playing both spots, Colvin said he believes he can handle the multiple duties. “To be truthful, it’s not difficult to me,” Colvin said. “People tell me that it can be challenging and it’s going to be a tough thing to do, but honestly it’s just playing football. I feel like I’m a football player and wherever you play me it’s my job to go out there and lock them up. Whether I’m inside, whether I’m outside – as long as I’m mentally prepared and mentally ready to go out there and perform at a high level, then I’m going to go out and make plays.”
4.Colvin respects the interior. With the continued emphasis on passing in the NFL, the nickel corner – the third corner on the field in passing situations – has taken on increased importance on recent seasons. Some observers essentially consider it a starting position, and Jaguars General Manager David Caldwell when discussing Colvin this offseason has repeatedly discussed the importance the Jaguars place on the role. Colvin said he agrees that the position is critical. “With all the offenses you see now, you have big-time receivers everywhere,” he said. “You see big-time receivers in the slot now, so the nickel position is really growing as far as you’ve got to have one. I take it as a compliment that they want me inside, because you have to be quick. There’s more room on the inside.” He then added with a smile, “I can’t lie. I do like being on an island sometimes.”
5.Working in June is better than not. Count Colvin as one player who absolutely doesn’t mind practicing in OTAs. Colvin spent the entire offseason in 2014 rehabilitating his ACL, and said the chance to be involved in the entire offseason program is important as he prepares for his second NFL season. “I get a chance just to grow,” Colvin said. “You can watch all the film you want. You can get in the playbook all you want. But until you get all those physical reps, I don’t feel like you can grow as a player. Right now, I’m getting a chance to do that. I get a chance to get critiqued on what I’m doing. I get a chance to make mistakes, correct them and get ready for the season.”
- [Titans] Starting center Brian Schwenke did not participate in Monday's OTA session due to a hamstring strain and rookie Andy Gallik left the OTA session early with the same injury. Guard Andy Levitre saw plenty of center snaps on Monday. Gabe Ikard, who's coming off ACL surgery last year, is the only other center listed on the roster.
- At inside linebacker, Todd Davis has continued his surprising ascent from undrafted rookie who was waived by New Orleans last year to Broncos' starter. The other inside linebacker position belongs to either Steven Johnson, Lamin Barrow or Corey Nelson.
- Star of the week: Todd Davis, linebacker, entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie out of Sacramento State in 2014. He signed with the New Orleans Saints, who released him last November and the Broncos claimed him off waivers.
Davis intercepted a Brock Osweiler pass during Monday’s practice, and has frequently been around the ball during OTAs. With Danny Trevathan and Brandon Marshall both sidelined as they recover from 2014 injuries, Davis and Steven Johnson have worked as the first-team inside linebackers.
Davis appears to have the lead on 2014 draft picks Lamin Barrow and Corey Nelson for playing time.
- New Man in the Middle – Curtis Lofton
Nick Roach is out and Curtis Lofton is in at middle linebacker. Lofton recently returned to action after missing time with an injury. It will be interesting to see his command of the defensive huddle develop this week. Lofton comes over from the New Orleans Saints. He entered the NFL in 2008 with the Atlanta Falcons. Lofton has only missed one game in his entire career.
- Durable veteran LB Lofton out to earn Raiders' respect
FOX Sports
JUN 04, 2015 11:24p ET
Curtis Lofton is already making defensive calls and checks for his new team.
But despite his veteran status, he feels he still needs to win the Raiders locker room over.
“You have a reputation that people know who you are, but at the same time, you have to come in and earn everyone’s respect,” Lofton told the team's official website. “That’s what I’ve been doing. How you earn everyone’s respect is by coming in, studying, knowing the defense, and helping guys get lined up and just working. The work is going to speak for itself.”
Lofton's body of work should make him an early team captain favorite. He's started 111 straight games since the Falcons drafted him in 2008. He's tallied 100 tackles in six straight seasons, including 144 take-downs with the Saints last year. There's not much he hasn't seen.
"He’s a veteran linebacker, understands what it takes to perform in this league," head coach Jack Del Rio said. "He’s doing a good job of providing some of that leadership in the meeting rooms and out on the field."
There's a reason why general manager Reggie McKenzie targeted Lofton. With Nick Roach out last season, the defense struggled to make routine plays. That shouldn't be an issue with a veteran like Lofton out there for Oakland.
- Q: How is Donald Stephenson doing?
[Chiefs OL Coach Andy] HECK: “Donald is a super talented guy. He’s come in. He’s working his butt off. He’s been great in the classroom, so he has a great opportunity.”
- Five Chiefs Who Could Lose their Job in 2015
Tackle Donald Stephenson
Suspended for the first four game of last season, Donald Stephenson got off to a bad start. Then, despite poor play from Tackle Ryan Harris, Andy Reid refused to start Stephenson even after he returned from his suspension. Now, in the final year of his rookie deal, the 26 year old Stephenson is no lock to start in 2015. Guard Jeff Allen, who missed all of last year due to a bicep injury in his elbow, is also competing for the starting Right Tackle position. John Dorsey has given him a “clean slate”, but with so many talented players in the competition, Stephenson has no margin for error.
- The other [Chiefs] two corners returning from 2014 are Jamell Fleming and Marcus Cooper. I can see Fleming making the Chiefs as the 5th corner but I don’t think Marcus Cooper sticks with the Chiefs in 2015. Cooper started his short Chiefs career playing phenomenal as a rookie and started to struggle towards the end of the year after being picked apart by Peyton Manning. In 2014 he got in the coaches doghouse early in the season and never showed the potential that he displayed early in 2013. Fleming came to the Chiefs as FA before the 2014 season and showed promise and poise down the stretch filling in as a corner on the outside due to injuries. Fleming is probably not an every down corner but he is good depth and is solid in protection if needed due to injuries.
- Chiefs don't seem rattled by prospect of inexperienced long snapper
Adam Teicher, ESPN Staff Writer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- For the first time since 2008, the Kansas City Chiefs will have someone new snapping for punts and placement kicks. The Chiefs allowed their longtime snapper, Thomas Gafford, to depart as a free agent.
The two snappers they have in camp, James Winchester and Andrew East, have never snapped in a regular-season game. Winchester has bounced around for a couple of years without sticking with an NFL team while East is an undrafted rookie who snapped in college at Vanderbilt.
If the prospect of going with an untested player at a position where teams usually demand experience is unsettling to special teams coordinator Dave Toub, he isn’t showing it.
"By the time we’re done with training camp and maybe before that, we’ll know who our long snapper is going to be,’’ Toub said. “The good thing is I like both of these guys. I think both of them can do it in the NFL and we’re going to get the best one.’’
The Chiefs have been working both players in offseason practice. But their craft is much different now in practice with no pads and no contact than it will be come the regular season. The pressure is different and the Chiefs may not be able to gauge their abilities to handle that until the preseason.
"The thing we don’t know is how they’re going to protect (at live speed),’’ Toub said. “Those are the things you’re not going to be able to know until you get into a preseason game or training camp.’’
