Jump to content

Rookie mini camp


Stinger226

Recommended Posts

I think we typically see about 3 players get offers to stick around after rookie camp.  From that pool we typically see nobody ever make the 53 unless we have a roster devastated by injury.  But it does happen on occasion around the league.   3 years ago I was all about throwing everything at the wall and seeing what would stick, as the Seahawks did early on in their turnaround.  Now we have a reasonable core of players at many positions, but not all, from starters even to backups.  Now we're talking about filling out the last few spots on the roster (see thread on Nall) whereas in Fox's first season there were probably 10 plus spots with wide open competition.  That's just a reflection on how poor the talent was overall especially the depth players.  Fangio didn't like anyone on defense in his first season.  If I'm not mistaken only Kyle Fuller has survived on defense from that first training camp.   On offense we have Long and Leno.  

The WR discussion has changed dramatically since January.  Now the debate is who stays:  Bellamy or Fowler, and does it matter which one?  Why not just keep Wims around based on his potential?  I'd guess the last time we saw Tanner Gentry's name mentioned on this board was probably 2 months ago.   Point is we have collectively moved on from the hope that UDFA players like Braverman and Gentry gave us, myself included.   That's a good thing.   

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, Franklin III is fast.  After watching his highlights he doesn't appear to be that agile as far as getting in/out of cuts.  Of course this my opinion after watching some highlights of Anthony Miller who appears to be cat-quick in/out of his cuts.  Franklin is a former QB converting to WR who has a ton of work to do but maybe he shows enough to stick on the practice squad.   Fleming is pretty much in the exact same spot, and sounds like the same type of athlete.   If I were these guys I'd be following Miller in everything he does.  

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Our fellow fans over at WindyCityGridiron found highlights of Matt Fleming.  I'd say there is more to him as a WR than just being a good athlete.   Fleming can often be seeing making very good adjustments to the ball trajectory.  He doesn't appear to be as fast as Franklin but he has enough speed and quickness to compete on an NFL field.  He reminds me a bit of Deonte Thompson. 

On the flip side it appears the Bears are putting Franklin at CB.  This OG looks strong, although the level of competition isn't that high, and he has a mean streak but his feet are a bit slow.   I'd say all 3 have some chance at making the practice squad but much remains to be seen before we ever get to that debate.  

https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/5/13/17350566/report-chicago-bears-sign-jeremi-hall-matt-fleming-highlight-simeon-benedictine-south-florida-udfa 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

Out of the rookie mini camp we signed 3 new players. John Franklin III/WR, Jeremi Hall/OG and Matt Fleming/WR. Franklin was supposedly ran a 4.19 40 somewhere along the line. 

Here are some of what I believe are confirmed 40's...

SBNATION: Franklin didn’t get an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, but he did participate in the smaller National Scouting Combine. He ran a 4.44-second 40 as timed by lasers, and a 4.32 as measured by a hand-timed stopwatch, per the event’s records.

https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2018/2/27/17013358/john-franklin-40-yard-dash-fau-nfl-2018

It appears he was a QB at Auburn to start his collegiate career and then transferred to Florida Atlantic as a WR.

His size is not bad. He is listed as 6'1 or 6'2 weighing in at 187 I believe. With the speed and size I can see him competing for a special teams slot in the future and if Fangio can convert him into a viable CB it would be in the realm of Jerry Azumah and a major plus for the team. He is also a guy (if he makes the transition) who could return kicks, even play backup QB if we were down to our last one left on the field if injuries hit during a game.

As stated he is probably looking at either a special teams return man or practice squad if lucky and a player with some real potential.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

50 minutes ago, Lucky Luciano said:

Here are some of what I believe are confirmed 40's...

SBNATION: Franklin didn’t get an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, but he did participate in the smaller National Scouting Combine. He ran a 4.44-second 40 as timed by lasers, and a 4.32 as measured by a hand-timed stopwatch, per the event’s records.

https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2018/2/27/17013358/john-franklin-40-yard-dash-fau-nfl-2018

It appears he was a QB at Auburn to start his collegiate career and then transferred to Florida Atlantic as a WR.

His size is not bad. He is listed as 6'1 or 6'2 weighing in at 187 I believe. With the speed and size I can see him competing for a special teams slot in the future and if Fangio can convert him into a viable CB it would be in the realm of Jerry Azumah and a major plus for the team. He is also a guy (if he makes the transition) who could return kicks, even play backup QB if we were down to our last one left on the field if injuries hit during a game.

As stated he is probably looking at either a special teams return man or practice squad if lucky and a player with some real potential.

He'll probably have to earn his keep on ST or practice squad at best I imagine

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...