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WVU's Where Are They Now? NFL Training Camp Week 1 Capsules

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With the NFL Lockout over and training camps now in full swing, I'm going to give you a snapshot of how former Mountaineers are faring during the first week of camp. You can find a list of Mountaineers on teams here. Who has turned heads? Who is injured? Who quit? Who retired? I have answers to all of these and more. 

There were two big stories about former Mountaineers in NFL training camps. One of them is Noel Devine. After it was reported that he was to sign with the Atlanta Falcons, Devine signed with the Philadelphia Eagles instead. It was an interesting move as the Eagles already had a stable of running backs behind Lesean McCoy. On Saturday, the Eagles announced that Devine had been waived. The move came as a surprise, especially after it came out the reason for Devine getting waived. He apparently asked to be released after he didn't receive the number of touches in practice that he thought he would get. Now he has been placed on waivers with a rookie minimum contract. For a team that might need Devine's talents, signing him with the rookie minimum would not come with much risk. Stay tuned.

The other story was that Marc Bulger, after weighing his options decided to retire.

NFC Teams

Carolina Panthers

Brandon Hogan CB- The rookie for the Panthers was supposed to provide some much needed depth at corner and play some safety. On Friday, Hogan failed his physical and now his status for this season is uncertain. One factor, besides behavioral issues, that caused Hogan to fall into the 4th round of the Draft was that he was recovering from a torn ACL. The Panthers say that the knee hasn't healed fast enough for him to play. He may start the season on the PUP list.

New York Giants

Darius Reynaud WR- Reynaud looks to see more action as a WR this season for the Giants. Thus far in practices, he has spent most of his time fielding punts.

Star-divide

Philadelphia Eagles

Owen Schmitt FB- On Friday, the Eagles released FB Leonard Weaver. Last season, Schmitt was brought in to fill the hole Weaver left when he was injured for the season. Schmitt played well for the Eagles, but they went ahead and drafted USC FB, Stanley Havili, late in the NFL Draft. Now, Schmitt and Havili will compete for the starting FB spot.

Washington Redskins

Selvish Capers OT- Capers picked up a couple holding penalties in practice Monday while trying to keep Brian Orakpo from getting to the quarterback. John Keim of the Washington Examiner says that Capers' performance is due to the lack of time in offseason practices. Those were sessions in which the second year tackle could have picked up better on how to block rushers like Orakpo. He's learning now what he would have learned in May. He is also getting some work in at Left Guard where he has been able to hold his own.

Chris Neild DT- Neild showed off his strength during one play during Monday's practice when he tied up two linemen during a run play. He was driven back by the blockers, but he anchored himself, and tied them up instead. During the beginning stages of the practice, he was slow on plays where he had to move laterally. He improved upon that later on in the practice. 

Chicago Bears

J.T. Thomas LB- Because of new rules in the CBA stating that newly signed free-agents cannot start practicing until later this week, Thomas has benefited by getting work in as a starting OLB for the Bears since Nick Roach cannot practice yet. He was singled out by head coach Lovie Smith on Tuesday for his play in practice.

Tampa Bay Bucs

Jock Sanders WR-  Sanders has been returning punts and kickoffs. 

AFC Teams

Pittsburgh Steelers

Ryan Mundy DB- Mundy recently resigned with the Steelers, and as mentioned above, can't practice yet due to conditions in the new CBA.

Wes Lyons WR- Lyons is said to have performed well in practices thus far with a few standout moments. Reports say that he catches almost everything thrown his way, and he could make a push for Limas Sweed's spot on the depth chart. Much of the talk is how impressed the reporters are with Lyons' size as he stands 6'8".

Buffalo Bills

Sidney Glover CB- Glover signed with the Bills as an undrafted free-agent last week.

Corey McIntyre FB- McIntyre is looking to expand his role as a hard-hitting fullback and special teams player for the Bills.

Houston Texans

Steve Slaton RB- Slaton is a member of a very crowded depth chart for the Texans. Slaton fell out of favor with Houston coaches after fumble and injury problems. Ben Tate looks healthy, look for Slaton to be traded by the end of the month.

Scooter Berry DT- Berry signed with the Texans last week as an undrafted free-agent.

Cincinnati Bengals

Adam Jones CB-  Jones is still recovering from neck surgery and may start the season on the PUP list.

Cleveland Browns

Jarrett Brown QB- Brown has impressed Cleveland coaches thus far with his big arm and mobility, leading Pat Shurmur to say that Brown was the"perfect 3rd quarterback."

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Robert Sands?

No update on the Sand man?

by WVU_BILLS on Aug 4, 2011 11:32 AM EDT reply actions  

Sorry. Couldn’t find any mention of how he was doing in practices. He signed the day they started camp.

Professional Mountaineer Blogger- SmokingMusket.com

by Caleb Wygal on Aug 4, 2011 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions  

Mike Zimmer on Sands after Thursday's practice
“He’s got a lot of athletic ability, he’s got a lot of range,” said assistant secondary coach Paul Guenther. "He’s athletic for a big guy (6-5), which is unusual. Usually those taller safeties don’t do as well. He’s got all the tools, he just has to learn the game.

Professional Mountaineer Blogger- SmokingMusket.com

by Caleb Wygal on Aug 5, 2011 3:29 AM EDT up reply actions  

my prediction...

Noel Devine will have a fantastic career in the Arena League. and that’s not a slam on him or saying that i don’t believe he’s good enough for the NFL. at the end of the day, though, there are only a handful (size joke implied) of 5’7" speedsters that actually make it. The Arena League is a heck of a lot farther than i ever made it (i did have a 67 yard punt on the freshman HS team).
No offense to Caleb, but this is the 3rd time it has been said and only the 2nd time i’ve refuted, but the backfield in Philly was not that great and/or crowded when he was there. Ronnie Brown was not there yet. Just McCoy and 3 other rookies. if you can’t beat other rookies, then you aren’t going anywhere else to try for a starting job. just can’t do it. this seemed to me like the perfect place for him to end up. incumbent starter and a bunch of unproven guys (just like Noel). College and NFL aren’t the same, so it’s better to end up competing with other rookies than guys that have been in the league for a few years that are proven to be able to play in the NFL. that’s my tangent, and i have nothing but the utmost respect for Caleb, but i think this is sugar-coating Devine unfortunately not being able to play as much as he (and we all) would like to play. i’m as big a Noel Devine fan and anyone else here, and i wish him all the best and i hope he can prove me wrong, but i think his professional career will land him in the arena league or possibly Canada. he’s a cordial, God-fearing, sweet person, but i think Philly was the best opportunity for him to play in the NFL.

by WVUDDS08 on Aug 4, 2011 11:38 AM EDT reply actions  

I hear ya.

Sometimes I do show some blatant homerism, but, the report from Scout.com said that Devine could have asked for his release due to lack of touches in camp because of the number of backs in camp.
That being said, I agree with you about Devine in other leagues. He may have to play somewhere else and have success to show he belongs in the NFL. The AFL is going into the 3rd weeks of their playoffs. The CFL is in week 4 or 5. The UFL hasn’t gotten started yet. It should in the next few weeks. If he wants to play right away, the UFL may be the better option for now. The UFL has seen several of their players in the past few seasons get NFL contracts.

Professional Mountaineer Blogger- SmokingMusket.com

by Caleb Wygal on Aug 4, 2011 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions  

Thanks for the updates, Caleb.

Just wanted to add to the WVU Redskins, which you covered quite well. Capers has not been overwhelmingly impressive, but his versatility nearly assures him a spot on the 53 man roster. Washington’s O line corps is really shallow. Now that newly acquired Chris Chester can practice, Selvish will likely get far fewer first team reps. However, his real competition on the depth chart is probably ECU’s Willie Smith who has a very similar skillset. Now that Stephon Heyer’s useless ass is in Oakland, I suspect both will make the squad. Capers’ footwork makes him intriguing for Shanahan’s zone blocking scheme…it’s his upper body strength that needs to improve the most.

Neild should be a lock to make the roster, given the lack of legitimate depth of size in their 3 man front. A lot of fans in DC are praying for Neild to become a legit NFL Nose Tackle. I think his lack of ideal size may limit that from happening in the short term. It’s doubtful that Neild will see much PT due to the additions of Bowen, Cofield, and Jenkins. However, I am confident he will make the team and contribute down the road if given a chance.

by Jim America on Aug 4, 2011 6:08 PM EDT reply actions  

Thanks for the breakdown Jim

You’re dead on with what I’m hearing about both Capers and Neild.

Professional Mountaineer Blogger- SmokingMusket.com

by Caleb Wygal on Aug 4, 2011 7:07 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

If wes lyons is on an nfl roster, there are serious problems at wr in this league.

by EatSchmittPitt35 on Aug 4, 2011 6:51 PM EDT via mobile reply actions  

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