Training Camp 09: Afternoon Session
Hey all –
The rain stopped and it was clear skies for the afternoon session here in Cortland, drawing a bigger and more enthusiastic crowd. The team practiced for about two hours in shells — helmets and shoulder pads with shorts.
If you want to see my pics from the morning session of the opening day of training camp, click here.
The afternoon images are after the jump …
The Golden Boy, striking a pose in response to the fans cheering him when he came out for the afternoon session. Again, nothing truly great from either quarterback, although Clemens connected to Brad Smith on a long TD bomb when the defensive back slipped.
Definitely a much looser camp across the board as Kerry Rhodes and Sean Ellis square off in mock fisticuffs.
Coach Callahan working with the backup offensive lineman.
The four quarterbacks of the apocalypse!
Coach Callahan giving direction.
The special teams guys — Jay Feely, T.J. Conley, Reggie Hodges and James Dearth. Yeah, they stand around a lot.
Clemens handing off to Thomas Jones. Like the morning session, Clemens worked pretty much exclusively with the first team. He had the play of the day with the aforementioned TD to Smith, that drew a great response from the crowd.
Sanchez handing off to Washington, who was more involved in the afternoon session over the morning session. Guess he got his wind back!
Sanchez tossing a pass.
The starting defense, which worked out of the 3-4 most of practice.
To no one’s surprise, Coach Ryan spends a lot of time working directly with the defense.
Unlike training camp the past few years, there was no music blaring, so it was great to hear the coaches and players communicating.
Warming up!
Clearly, Jim Leonhard is one of Ryan’s guys.
Marques Murrell ready for action in an interception drill.
The Mad Backer himself in the same drill.
No pressure on Reggie Hodges with Westy staring over his shoulder.
Leon and Leonhard fielding punts together. Although Leon is a great weapon, Leonhard does have amazing hands.
David Harris working the blocking sled while Coach Sutton looks on.
The linebackers running a tackling-type drill.
The left half of the offensive line. A quiet day for them, which is good, right?
Clemens talking with Dustin Keller, who looks like will be a major part of the offense this year. Definitely creates mismatches.
Coach Schottenheimer was constantly in Sanchez’s ear throughout the practice, almost after every play.
Sanchez, Greene and Keller: The offensive core of the future?
Lito Sheppard squared off against Jerricho Cotchery, who had a solid day as usual.
Coach Westhoff was in mid-season form, barking at the troops!
Clemens with his top three wideouts — Clowney made a nice catch or two, but also dropped a few easy passes. Maddeningly inconsistent! Stuckey was solid.
Look, I don’t know what the deal with Leon’s contract is, but this guy is the closest thing this team has to a true superstar, especially with the fans. Every time the guy touches the ball, it’s electricity in the crowd, even in practice! Please, Jets, do the right thing with this guy!!!
Sanchez uncorking a fast ball — Sackdance99, your mechanical analysis, please.
Clemens loading up the Gun Show!
Leonhard and Leon fielding punts again.
An atta boy for Leon from Danny Woodhead, who did not practice in the afternoon.
Clemens tossing a pass before Calvin Pace crushes him.
Sanchez letting one fly.
The wideouts in a stretching circle.
Sean Ellis and Kris Jenkins comparing pass-rushing techniques near the end of practice.
The outside linebackers getting some extra schooling.
At least Vernon is paying attention — say what you want about his football ability, but he’s certainly no dog.
That’s it for tonight! See you back here tomorrow …
Filed under: Opinion/R in CT
Look at Sanchez’s calf muscles. Wow!
great pics R
vbsiena.. you beat me to it. Man those things are defined.
NO WAIT!!….dont go……need MORE! ANYTHING!
for all you sanchez haters.. it appears one of those passes was about to be batted down at the line. what a bust!
Great pics, thanks for bringing Cortland closer to us all
really easy team to cheer for this year. seems like everyone is commited to working hard. nice to see that in lighter moments they seem to get along very well.
i remember a two years ago how small the defense looked- the LBs in particular. Pace and Harris with Trusnik, Murrell, Gholston and Westerman in reserve makes this front 7 look very big and physical.
Nice pics !! Hey we have 12 on D up there !
So which QB is in the lead?? I can’t wait to see who wins! Think Ryans gonna wait until the fourth preseason game or what! I sure hope the starter is named before that, I’m tired of QBcompetitions( maybe not as tired as clemmens though)!!!
what up with the 11 th pick (funny it just happens to be the 11th) 12 men on defence i know its the first day but come on D
just saw your comment blood nice to see someone else saw it
Great job, R! You’ve outdone yourself, yet again … I love the close up of westy …
R, great pics. Tough to tell anything in a pic, but Schotty has said (and I have noticed), that Sanchez crouches when he throws sometimes. In your pic, he seems to be crouching a little. Did you notice that he was crouching, making himself a little shorter than he should? I’ll be looking at that closely on 8-12 at Hofstra and on 8-14 against the Rams.
I drove the 3 1/2 hours south from Lake George to watch the afternoon practice and the Sat AM practice. Kellen looked fairly sharp..one miss throw.. Sanchez runs hot and cold..when he’s on the accuracy is terrific but he and receivers were not in sync at times..
I noticed Danny Woodhead not in uniform..so when it came to autograph time after practice, I called him over and asked what was up.. he said he had a ‘nick’ but would be participating this morning. I told him alot of fans are rooting for him and I think he appreciated the comment. For his size by the way, the guy is ripped..his calves alone are considerably larger than TJ’s or Leon’s.
R, great job once again. having the green and white on the field and ready to go is a sight for sore eyes. and not a titans jersey to be seen! wonderful. 1 question, any bills fans talking trash? you’re pretty close to bills territory up there.
john – R said that the Jets have pretty much taken over the town and that there was just one guy in a Bills jersey at practice, but he stayed out of the way of everyone!
Great pics! I am hoping to come down to Cortland, thats right down on wednesday with my son.I can only hope we can get some pics like that and maybe some autographs.He turns 16 the 6th so it will be a nice birthday present.I hope.
I agree with SackDance, it’s hard to judge his technique from a still shot. I like the fact that his shoulders are square and his momentum is shifting forward at the moment of release. His left elbow is pulled tight against his body. He probably generates good torque. The real question is this: Does he maintain his mechanics under pressure. Every NFL quarterback can throw a good pass in shorts. The great ones do it in the face of a blitz….