Considering Nolan's competition - Jason Allen - Ben may be right.

Carroll is going to make this team. After only a handfull of practices he has been the most surprising player in this camp in a POSITIVE way. He gets an INT or 2 in almost every practice! And his speed is blazing and on a team that lacks team speed (especially on defense) he is an asset there. With Sheets going down it looks like Cobbs has locked up the KR job, but Carroll has a chance to steal that from him now.

Also, even though Patrick Turner had a bad day on Tuesday, he is going to make this roster too as the 5th WR probably. He has had an impressive camp and showed a lot. Using his body well, running crisp routes and improving that everyday, using his height as an asset in the necesarry situations.

Carroll and Turner have both been pleasent surprises thus far. I think both make this team.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/04/2010 11:51AM by MikeO.

Geez. We're going to be loaded at CB. Our pass defense BETTER improve!

he is going to make the team, I don't know if he will play any, aside from special teams

I have read and heard great things about Nolan Carroll as well. That he is the player that should have gone in the first 2 rds prior to his injury, and so far looks like our steal of the draft.... I have yet to see him myself, so I can not tell you for sure my opinion, one way or the other, it would just be hear say but certainly encouraging remarks are being said about the young rookie cb from Maryland

MikeO Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> he is going to make the team, I don't know if he
> will play any, aside from special teams


I wonder if he could break into the lineup in the dime package.

Well allow me to say that whenever we use 4 corners on obvious passing situations that Carroll will play alot. He might even be better than Will Allen right now. So to say he won't play is naive because the best players always play, and as of now he is having a very good camp.

Will Allen might be starting over Sean Smith. Smith has had a rough camp thus far. Very rough. I don't see Carroll winning a nickle CB spot. We won't play two 2nd year guys and a rookie 5th round pick as our starting nickle package. Ain't gonna happen.

wow guys, lets calm down a little here. This is a guy who wasn't even a DB until later in his college career, and has played only a few games at CB before being drafted. He's got the physical tools, sure, but to think he is going to be a solid DB right of the bat is wishful thinking...

if the guy is out there looking good and making plays what else can you say about him. I am more afraid about the reports coming in about Smith, hope he gets it together soon. Also great to hear that it looks like the lights turned on in Pat Turners head.

Why cant the man play in the Nickel? Jake Long started day one as a rookie, Sean Smith started day one as a rookie, as do alot of players!

IF YOU CAN PLAY you can play!!

MikeO Wrote:
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> Will Allen might be starting over Sean Smith.
> Smith has had a rough camp thus far.

Camp just started. I disagree on this. I don't think Will Allen is fully back, and I think Smith will ultimately adjust. He's never had to go against a WR like Marshall day-in and day-out.

Ultimately, I see Vontae playing a teams top WR and Smith on the other side. That would put Smith mainly on shorter WRs where he can use his height as an advantage. It may seem counter-intuitive to put the shorter CB on the taller WR and vice-versa, but I think that's how we'll go.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/05/2010 08:50AM by montequi.

Nolan was a solid pick in the 5th. We also had another solid 5th round pick in Jones. Like the way we are building the DBs.

Nolan WILL make this team as STs with a dash of Nickle & Dime. He's a Trifecta pick in an area with little competition besides Saban's bust pick. On STs, Nolan doesn't have to impress as a KR/PR, he can make it as a flyer. Anything to get our return coverage yardage down - that has been a huge problem over the past few years.

montequi Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> MikeO Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Will Allen might be starting over Sean Smith.
> > Smith has had a rough camp thus far.
>
> Camp just started. I disagree on this. I don't
> think Will Allen is fully back, and I think Smith
> will ultimately adjust. He's never had to go
> against a WR like Marshall day-in and day-out.
>
> Ultimately, I see Vontae playing a teams top WR
> and Allen on the other side. That would put Allen
> mainly on shorter WRs where he can use his height
> as an advantage. It may seem counter-intuitive to
> put the shorter CB on the taller WR and
> vice-versa, but I think that's how we'll go.


I think you mean Smith not Allen lol, its ok.

Mia1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> montequi Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > MikeO Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Will Allen might be starting over Sean Smith.
> > > Smith has had a rough camp thus far.
> >
> > Camp just started. I disagree on this. I
> don't
> > think Will Allen is fully back, and I think
> Smith
> > will ultimately adjust. He's never had to go
> > against a WR like Marshall day-in and day-out.
> >
> > Ultimately, I see Vontae playing a teams top WR
> > and Allen on the other side. That would put
> Allen
> > mainly on shorter WRs where he can use his
> height
> > as an advantage. It may seem counter-intuitive
> to
> > put the shorter CB on the taller WR and
> > vice-versa, but I think that's how we'll go.
>
>
> I think you mean Smith not Allen lol, its ok.

yeah, thanks! Fixed my post.

DolfanMike Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Nolan was a solid pick in the 5th. We also had
> another solid 5th round pick in Jones. Like the
> way we are building the DBs.
>
> Nolan WILL make this team as STs with a dash of
> Nickle & Dime. He's a Trifecta pick in an area
> with little competition besides Saban's bust pick.
> On STs, Nolan doesn't have to impress as a KR/PR,
> he can make it as a flyer. Anything to get our
> return coverage yardage down - that has been a
> huge problem over the past few years.


I agree, hopefully some of these young guys and Dobbins,etc can
help make an impact and improve the ST play. It is an area we need
improvement. Cobbs coming back should be nice as well.

Jones is a guy who has played well in camp for a 5th round rookie. He will be a great special teams player for us. And in a year or two will take over for Yeramiah Bell at SS.

Jones isn't a free saftey, doesn't have the speed. But he is a big hitter a guy who can play in the "box" and a true SS. For him to learn behind Bell for a couple years then take over in a year or two would be great. We have the pieces in place for a good young secondary for years to come. MINUS the free saftey position which still needs to be addressed. Clemons has had an OK camp. Not horrible but not great by any means either. He isn't the long-term answer at FS, but if we have found our future SS and our future nickleback in Rd 5 last year to go with Vonte and Sean....our secondary is shaping up well long-term

I didn't say he wouldn't make the team. I'm just saying that I think its a little early to make the kind of definitive statements that are being made by many people.

Rick