Training camp 2011 thread

Id like to see Austin or Paul returning ko and punts.

I'd like to see Austin get more reps on offense. He looked pretty good out there.

Id like to see Austin or Paul returning ko and punts.

Pretty sure Austin will be the #1 returner for Friday

Chris Neild working for smooth transition - The Insider - The Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/post/chris-neild-working-for-smooth-transition/2011/08/15/gIQAG7ZPHJ_blog.html#pagebreak)

so there is a chance that we don't keep 3 NT on our depth chart this year. I really think/thought that we would have Barry Cofield, Anthony Bryant, and Chris Neild.Even Cofield is only going to play 60% of the snaps. A third NT would never be active but in case of injury to the starter. And even then, this team can get through a game with just one active NT.

Neild should keep working hard just in case the Anthony Bryant project doesn't work out and there is a spot for him on the active roster, but he has basically no chance to make the team out of camp.

Id like to see Austin or Paul returning ko and punts.

Personally, I don't like the new rule governing KO's. The rule change is going to be devastating for teams with good return men. I understand the league's purpose for the change, but for teams like us with a good return man the rule change is a downer.

Belichick says NFL wants to eliminate kickoffs; NFL disagrees - The Early Lead - The Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/post/belichick-says-nfl-wants-to-eliminate-kickoffs-nfl-disagrees/2011/08/16/gIQAn9qUJJ_blog.html)

Personally, I don't like the new rule governing KO's. The rule change is going to be devastating for teams with good return men. I understand the league's purpose for the change, but for teams like us with a good return man the rule change is a downer.

Belichick says NFL wants to eliminate kickoffs; NFL disagrees - The Early Lead - The Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/post/belichick-says-nfl-wants-to-eliminate-kickoffs-nfl-disagrees/2011/08/16/gIQAn9qUJJ_blog.html)

And offenses which can sustain drives are more at a premium than ever. The 80 yard drive is now king.

The thing I don't like about Beck getting his shot against the Colts is the fact that the Colts are notroriously bad in preseason play (Colt Brenan anyone?). Grossman's performance at least in the scope of these first two games should probably be weighted much heavier. Then again we have a whole preseason to determine who should start the season.

And offenses which can sustain drives are more at a premium than ever. The 80 yard drive is now king.

You're right!...and while it's not my intention to h/j this thread with this particular comment, I feel the new rule strips the game of one of it's most exciting elements, the KO return. This topic itself should be thread worthy.

The thing I don't like about Beck getting his shot against the Colts is the fact that the Colts are notroriously bad in preseason play (Colt Brenan anyone?). Grossman's performance at least in the scope of these first two games should probably be weighted much heavier. Then again we have a whole preseason to determine who should start the season.

Well, he has to play at some point.

Not sure you can weigh the first game more than the 2nd just based on the fact starters' playing time typically increases going from games 1-3. So Beck should see more time against the Colts' starters vs Rex seeing only 2 series from the Steelers starters.

You're right!...and while it's not my intention to h/j this thread with this particular comment, I feel the new rule strips the game of one of it's most exciting elements, the KO return. This topic itself should be thread worthy.

KO line was the 35 prior to 94 when they moved it to 30 to try to increase scoring.

Ever think about how arbitrary these lines are? Why is a touchback to the 20? What if field position started at the goal line, e.g. kickoffs were from there?

Not so arbitrary.

- Average kickoff return in NFL: 22 yards
- Average kickoff started at 6.5 yard line last season link (http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/14845220/kickoff-change-means-more-touchbacks-less-electricity)

Now move it back 5 yards this season. Means little less than 50% of kicks will be in endzone. The returner will on average get to the 20 yard line. If the touchback was the 15 yard line, I'd say go for it EVERY time - you'd get more yards. If it was the 25 or 30 yard line, I'd say kneel it EVERY time.

Since it's at the 20, it's just right -> gives the returner a decision to make.