A few updates from surfing...

*Josh Wells has been listed as co-starter in Jags' first release of their depth chart

*Earl Watford continues to miss practice time in JAX due to injury

*Packers long-time placekicker Mason Crosby missed a bunch of FG's at the Pack's public Family Night practice outing at Lambeau Field. Lots of question marks from the media (not Crosby) about new long snapper (JMU's Derek Hart) and holder...http://host.madison.com/wsj/sports/football/professional/packers-mason-crosby-struggles-with-new-snapper-and-holder-on/article_347d30b5-b62d-5f9c-af9d-11e9e0946fe6.html

*Dean Marlowe (whose Panthers play Wednesday night on TV as a reminder) was added to the Injured List and did not participate in Saturday's practice - unsure of the nature of his injury

(08-07-2017 09:40 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(08-07-2017 09:28 AM)penninajx Wrote:  "A quick note about Khalid Abdullah: I know some of you are high on him, but the undrafted free agent simply cannot catch the football. He drops at least one relatively easy pass during team drills just about every day, at least on the days when I have been at practice."

Ouch...

I don't remember him having troubles catching the ball while at JMU.

that's kind of a shaded note....i mean, "at least on the days I have been there".... so...twice? no way to know, but agreed..it's not good to have any kind of a rep like that... seems fixable though - would be awesome to see him make the Gmen

(08-07-2017 10:41 AM)bcp_jmu Wrote:  

(08-07-2017 09:40 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(08-07-2017 09:28 AM)penninajx Wrote:  "A quick note about Khalid Abdullah: I know some of you are high on him, but the undrafted free agent simply cannot catch the football. He drops at least one relatively easy pass during team drills just about every day, at least on the days when I have been at practice."

Ouch...

I don't remember him having troubles catching the ball while at JMU.

that's kind of a shaded note....i mean, "at least on the days I have been there".... so...twice? no way to know, but agreed..it's not good to have any kind of a rep like that... seems fixable though - would be awesome to see him make the Gmen

yea...I agree.

(08-07-2017 10:41 AM)bcp_jmu Wrote:  that's kind of a shaded note....i mean, "at least on the days I have been there".... so...twice? no way to know

Shaded note or not, that's the second time that's been said of Khalid in the span of a few weeks. Not a good rep to garner.

he's probably looking upfield / running before completing the catch...classic rookie move :)

(07-31-2017 10:58 AM)AssyrianDuke Wrote:  

(07-31-2017 10:45 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  In a bit of a surprise Jaguars Offensive Tackle (and former UVA player) Branden Albert announced this morning he is retiring. This could have an effect on our 2 Dukes in the Jags' O-Line pecking order.

He has been injured the past couple years, and I am thinking he realized his body could not get back to peak NFL condition. You would have to think this is good news for the Dukes, and hopefully Albert has his health going forward into the next chapter of his life.

More drama from Branden Albert... http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000...-to-return

Paying back $3.4M of that signing bonus might have changed his mind. Now talking about wanting to "come back". All Hail Unnecessary Drama!

The Bears had an Offensive Guard tear a hamstring yesterday and will be out for the season. Mitchell Kirsch...opportunity.

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article...c06485330d

Arthur Moats in a battle for a roster spot in Pittsburgh, but taking the time to show his excellent leadership... http://www.steelersdepot.com/2017/08/art...olbs-wing/


(note: if Moats were to be released by the Steelers, his phone would be ringing quickly and frequently by other clubs 2 seconds after it was announced)

(08-08-2017 07:32 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  Arthur Moats in a battle for a roster spot in Pittsburgh, but taking the time to show his excellent leadership... http://www.steelersdepot.com/2017/08/art...olbs-wing/


(note: if Moats were to be released by the Steelers, his phone would be ringing quickly and frequently by other clubs 2 seconds after it was announced)

slightly off topic, but I believe I saw a few years back that he bought a home in the pittsburgh area. if I were a pro athlete, unless I was lebron james, I would be looking to rent anywhere I was. You could flip teams too quickly to take the risk.

(08-08-2017 07:37 AM)Potomac Wrote:  

(08-08-2017 07:32 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  Arthur Moats in a battle for a roster spot in Pittsburgh, but taking the time to show his excellent leadership... http://www.steelersdepot.com/2017/08/art...olbs-wing/


(note: if Moats were to be released by the Steelers, his phone would be ringing quickly and frequently by other clubs 2 seconds after it was announced)

slightly off topic, but I believe I saw a few years back that he bought a home in the pittsburgh area. if I were a pro athlete, unless I was lebron james, I would be looking to rent anywhere I was. You could flip teams too quickly to take the risk.

The Moats did buy a home. They like Pittsburgh, and are looking to make the area their home, regardless of his playing status (which hopefully will continue for the foreseeable future). Arthur could easily land up as a coach on Tomlin's staff.

(08-08-2017 07:47 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(08-08-2017 07:37 AM)Potomac Wrote:  

(08-08-2017 07:32 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  Arthur Moats in a battle for a roster spot in Pittsburgh, but taking the time to show his excellent leadership... http://www.steelersdepot.com/2017/08/art...olbs-wing/


(note: if Moats were to be released by the Steelers, his phone would be ringing quickly and frequently by other clubs 2 seconds after it was announced)

slightly off topic, but I believe I saw a few years back that he bought a home in the pittsburgh area. if I were a pro athlete, unless I was lebron james, I would be looking to rent anywhere I was. You could flip teams too quickly to take the risk.

The Moats did buy a home. They like Pittsburgh, and are looking to make the area their home, regardless of his playing status (which hopefully will continue for the foreseeable future). Arthur could easily land up as a coach on Tomlin's staff.

Yep. With 3 young kids (at least 1 which is in school), I imagine having some stability is important. He and his wife just gave JMU 300 grand earlier this year. So, financially they are managing their money well. The tax break on the home in addition to the tax break on giving 300 grand means drinks are on Arthur at Frisco this year, though I'm hopeful he's prepping for the playoffs with the Steelers.

(08-07-2017 10:41 AM)bcp_jmu Wrote:  

(08-07-2017 09:40 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(08-07-2017 09:28 AM)penninajx Wrote:  "A quick note about Khalid Abdullah: I know some of you are high on him, but the undrafted free agent simply cannot catch the football. He drops at least one relatively easy pass during team drills just about every day, at least on the days when I have been at practice."

Ouch...

I don't remember him having troubles catching the ball while at JMU.

that's kind of a shaded note....i mean, "at least on the days I have been there".... so...twice? no way to know, but agreed..it's not good to have any kind of a rep like that... seems fixable though - would be awesome to see him make the Gmen

Unfortunately, I've been seeing that, too...

Johnson threw a touchdown pass to Kevin Snead, but Smith appeared to have the better day. Smith hit Jerell Adams with a beautiful seam route and had running back Khalid Abdullah drop (yes, the daily Abdullah drop) a sure touchdown pass by the left pylon. He did throw an interception when Mark Herzlich gathered in a pass tipped by running back Wayne Gallman.

I hope he makes the most of the preseason games.

Looking forward to Friday night at 7pmET live via NFL Network as the Steelers (Moats) face the Giants (Abdullah) in Jersey.

(of course, at this point, I'd be looking forward to a game between the Northeastern Wyoming School for the Totally F'd Up against the Sierra Mountain Community College Habitual Farters...likely streamed live via ESPN-3, btw)

I saw a more positive note over on FB .... something about Abdullah catching a TD and having a nice / long run

(08-08-2017 08:08 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  Looking forward to Friday night at 7pmET live via NFL Network as the Steelers (Moats) face the Giants (Abdullah) in Jersey.

(of course, at this point, I'd be looking forward to a game between the Northeastern Wyoming School for the Totally F'd Up against the Sierra Mountain Community College Habitual Farters...likely streamed live via ESPN-3, btw)

I hear ya. I have been re-watching some of the playoff games on YouTube. Can't wait for Sept. 2.

Our buddy Ed over at Big Blue View has another update from today's practice:

Quote:I always pick on running back Khalid Abdullah for his struggles catching the ball. He made a couple of catches Tuesday for solid gains, although he did bobble one.

Dean Marlowe was waived today....injured again

Possible good news: With the bad luck the Bears have at with linemen they may keep Kirsch around for depth and OT/OG flexibility. Possible bad news: Brown appears to have been overtaken by the Div II rookie monster at TE. Hopefully he too catches on with his talent (not nearly as big as Shaheen but his WR experience may shine through in the open field).

http://www.chicagobears.com/team/depth-c...eason.html

(08-08-2017 04:10 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  Dean Marlowe was waived today....injured again

That just blows. He was really liked in Charlotte and the way the roster was shaping up I think he was going to see playing time.

Update: sounds like it may have been the same hamstring as last year.

(08-08-2017 09:34 PM)2Buck Wrote:  

(08-08-2017 04:10 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  Dean Marlowe was waived today....injured again

That just blows. He was really liked in Charlotte and the way the roster was shaping up I think he was going to see playing time.

Update: sounds like it may have been the same hamstring as last year.

Apparently the Panthers re-claimed Marlowe and placed him on injured reserve.

http://nfltraderumors.co/panthers-place-...d-reserve/