A few things from the 30 minutes or so we were able to watch practice.
About half the time was spent stretching (the players, not the media) and we didn’t see any 7-on-7’s or 11-on-11’s. Welcome to the regular season.
Still, there’s always something.
* To answer Ira’s question, lest there be any doubt about it: Mike Westhoff has resumed lead command of the special teams. While players stretched, the veteran coach could be seen going player to player. Of course, that could be explained by this being his first day back on the practice field, but when drills began, it was Westhoff’s voice – not Kevin O’Dea’s – piercing the air, shouting out instructions. That didn’t take long. O’Dea is still there and it’s not as if he’s muzzled, but this is Westhoff’s show. Again.
* During the first drill we saw with the running backs, there was a mix up with the exchange between Brett Favre and Leon Washington, resulting in a fumble. Thomas Jones and Washington shared the carries, with Tony Richardson in as the lead blocker for both of them.
* Over with the defensive backs, Dwight Lowery, as expected started opposite Darrelle Revis. From what I saw, which in full disclosure was about 100 yards away, David Barrett was working exclusively at safety (no, not a starting one).
* After Favre was done working with the running backs, Kellen Clemens stepped in next. Mangini said it over the weekend and it appears to be true: Clemens is the No. 2 going into the season.
* Lots of questions recently about Laveranues Coles and, as was the case when we saw him for 45 minutes at a time last week in practice, he looks about full-go. We’ll find out later this afternoon – at 4 p.m. – when the injury report gets released to see if he was limited, but he didn’t look to be while running some routes earlier. Last week Mangini said much of Coles’ limited action during the preseason was “precautionary” more than anything else.
* The amount of designated practice space here is remarkable. Five full-length practice fields, four of them outside. I'm looking forward to a full tour of this place. Or at least the kitchen which, tantalizingly, is just around the corner from the media room. Pretty nice place overall I have to say.
Chad Pennington’s conference call is coming up shortly. The bet here is while he tries to downplay Sunday, he’ll at least somewhat admit the game has a little more meaning to him. The man isn't without common sense.
Comments (1)
I here Mangini is going to try Barrett out punting and place kicking. Anything to burn dmb's butt.
Maybe some wide receiver ...