Here is an insider article on surprises in training camp....if this is a repost I apologize _________________________________________________________________ OK, so now I move onto Friday's list, the Top Five Surprises of training camp. 1. Kellen Winslow, Browns TE. I wrote about Winslow in the current issue of ESPN The Magazine. Winslow looked good in Browns camp, which he should have, considering he's at 90 percent. If Winslow is at 90 percent, he should be faster than most linebackers. What surprised me was how quickly he's turned his reputation around on the team. He's a leader now, which is amazing considering he's played two games in two years. Quarterback Charlie Frye had a lot to do with Winslow's transformation. The two didn't really know each other last year, but started hanging out in January, when other Browns were dispersed across the country and they were the only ones at the complex every day. Winslow now calls Frye his "best friend," and the Browns seem to genuinely be rooting for him. 2. Kellen Clemens, Jets QB. It looks like Eric Mangini and Co. have found their Brady. I know that Clemens was highly regarded out of Oregon, but who would have guessed he might have the best chance of all the QBs picked ahead of him -- Vince Young, Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler -- to be a starter come opening day? Not only that, but that he'd steal the buzz in camp from two guys who have 61 combined starts? I'm not saying Clemens will beat out Chad Pennington and Patrick Ramsey, but he'll have a good chance to. 3. Michael Clayton, Bucs WR. Clayton had 80 receptions for 1,193 yards as a rookie, but his numbers dropped (32 receptions for 372 yards) due to various injuries last year. The problem occurred at the end of his rookie year, when he needed surgery on his knee and didn't get it right away. It messed him up for training camp, and that started his downhill slide of injuries last year. This year, he needed another surgery on the knee, but had it scoped as soon as the Bucs lost to the Redskins in the playoffs instead of waiting. That way, Clayton told the Bradenton Herald's Jim Brockman he cut his rehab time from nine months to three. Clayton has also grown up: He's gotten married and is expecting a kid, and typed a contract that he signed for Jon Gruden promising he'd do what it takes to be on the field and effective for mini-camp. 4. Darius Watts, Broncos WR. I know I came down on Ashley Lelie the other day, but remember that it's not like Lelie is a terrible receiver or anything. He's one of the best deep threats around. At this point in his career, he's just not a clear No. 1 receiver. But it's still surprising that second-year receiver Watts performed so well in camp that he might have moved into Denver's No. 3 spot behind Rod Smith and Javon Walker, no small feat for a guy who dropped so many passes last year he dropped to the inactive roster. Watts has "really stood out," Mike Shanahan told Mike Klis of the Denver Post. "Hopefully, he can keep it going when the lights turn on." 5. David Carr, Texans QB. Gary Kubiak called Carr the team's "most improved player this offseason." I was there for a few practices and liked what I saw; however I've rarely been to any mini-camp and not liked what I saw from QBs. (The no-contact rules -- which really mean "not-too-much-contact" -- help QBs shine.) But Carr looked quick and decisive, and given what Kubiak did with guys like Brian Griese, Gus Frerotte and Jake Plummer, I have some faith that Carr, who hasn't been as terrible as some make him to be, will finally start delivering. Random Stuff ? Eli Manning gives a one-on-one interview to the New York Post's Paul Schwartz and finally confirms that, yes, Paris Hilton did give him a lap dance a few weeks ago, as reported in the gossip columns. OK, so he didn't confirm that. But Manning did say that he'll never turn into some sort of Delhomme-ish leader. "That's just not me," Manning told The Post. "Maybe I'll be a little different but it's not going to be a full change. I'm not going to be the personality where I make everyone laugh, or the scene where you come in [the locker room] and I'm telling jokes and whatnot to the media or whoever. That's not me." Some think Manning needs to show more flair, which I don't buy. But I do think it's hard to play with a lot of emotion when you're losing, or not playing well. Manning didn't play well in many games down the stretch last year. So if you're wondering where the flair went, you've found it. ? Excuse me for a second while I log on to make sure I didn't have any of my Disney 401(k) tied up in "The Game Plan," which was supposed to star The Rock as an NFL quarterback but will be postponed after His Graniteness blew out his Achilles. ? Want a Marvin Lewis jersey? They're now available, with Lewis taking jersey number 03, the year he became the Bengals' coach. ? Just what Warren Sapp needs: A fast food restaurant he can walk into at any time and eat for free, which is of course what happens when you open your own line of "HipHopSodaShops." ? Vikings fans will get more of a fix of their team -- before it moves to L.A., of course (just kidding) -- from its new partnership with FSN North.
They may have found their Brady, so if Pennington gets knocked out of a game, Clemens will come in and lead us to future Super Bowls. I can live with that.... This is the way I see it, whomever outperforms between Ramsey and Pennington, will be the starter on Opening day. I believe Pennington will be the starter...JMO
I still think that this guy was the best pick you guys had, I do not mean the best player I mean the best pick. I wouldnt be suprised if he got some starts under his belt.
Clemens won't start week 1...maybe not this year, but this guy has something. I got bored one evening and watched some game film on this guy (where I work, I have that luxury). He seems to have a lot of poise in an offense. I actually thought he looked better than Cutler....and I like Cutler as a QB.
These articles are annoying. From a few days in mini camp they are saying he can be Brady and could be starting? Every rookie QB not named Big Ben has struggled their rookie year. If Clemens starts, it's because Chad is either not ready or ineffective, and Ramsey proves he really does suck. The coaches can say whatever they want, but this is a 2 player race, Pennington and Ramsey. Clemens is a real long shot. I like Clemens, he could be our QB of the future, and I hope he does well, but it's annoying seeing the media hyping him up so much and making a big deal about a mini camp that really doesn't mean anything. It's going to take time.
remember when the training camp report came out that "in early reviews Brian Thomas had looked better than Julius Peppers, the Jets may have themselves a player" HAHAHA
If I never see Vinny T again, it will be too soon! :wink: Seriously though, why is everyone so down on Clemmens? Look at it like this, he got hurt last year, but many of the experts say that had he actually played the whole year, he would have been considered the best QB in the draft. Yes, I know most people around here take what the experts say as steaming piles of cow crap, but they are doing their jobs for a reason. Yes, they can be wrong, like weather forecasters, but the fact is, they usually know more than you or I do, just like forecasters. It only makes sense. They have access to tools neither you nor I do. ESPN's guys have tons of film to view, just like forecasters have satellites, that you and I do not have access to. Are they infallible? Of course not. Was Ricky Williams the best RB ever? Was Ryan Leaf the best QB ever? No, but big deal. If you gave me the same chance to win the lotto as how often ESPN's analysts are right, I would shell out my dollar twice every week. I have seen a little film for Clemmens, and I like what I've seen so far. Is he a sure-fire guy? Not by any means. Will he crash and burn like so many before him? I don't think so. Does he deserve comparisons to Brady? Hahahaha. Not a chance, not yet, maybe never. However, if the writer meant it in terms of "the diamond in the rough," then he may have a point. Clemmens was skipped over by quite a number of teams (did any team not pick before he was selected?) Brady was skipped by every single team multiple times. The writer may have been better served by saying the Jets found their next Coles-type draft pick. That may have been a bit clearer. That said, I am still pulling for Chad to have one last chance to lead us to the Promised Land. Will it happen? I have no idea, and I am not disillusioned enough to believe it will, but I still hold some hope. If Penny's not the guy, then I am all for Clemmens to step up. (I would have been on Bolly's side, but I have a feeling he won't be here in 2008, unless Ramsey has a fantastic collapse and gets the boot first, which really isn't that far-fetched either.)
I like Carr myself, and I think he has had it really tough in his short career, but this is really off-topic.
That still pisses me off. But all this talk about potential is annoying. Everyone has potential. What this team needs is players who succeed not just have the ability to.
Finally somebody who gets it. Yes I agree you are exact;y on the right track with your post. Congrats
its way to early to even pay any attention to what these guys say...i'll give it another 2 months before it really matters
perfection, honestly I remember seeing Clemens as early as his Soph yr and seeing real pro potential so I'm hyped about having him, but I agree with this statement fully.
Clemens is the real deal. :smile: In a year or two he will be the starting QB. That's just about that time our OL should be gelling!:jets:
