NFL Training Camp 2020 – Teams take the field in pads; Cowboys rookie makes game of the day

08/15/2020 USA


4:10 PM ET

  • ESPN staff

A few teams took part in padded practices at NFL training camps in 2020 on Friday, including the Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars. In some cases, it was the first chance for our NFL Nation reporters to get a glimpse of the rookie design picks in their uniforms. The day also produced some highlights of drills, as well as news about the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns.

Here’s what you need to know about camps in the league before August 14:

Go to the best of the day:
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Top news of the day


Patriots’ Cam Newton makes a good first impression on Bill Belichick “Cam is a hard-working kid. That’s really him,” Belichick said Friday morning. Newton’s introduction to the Patriots’ system since the official signing of July 8 is one of the most compelling stories of training camp. Several teammates have noted the energy that Newton, 31, has brought to the team.

Dalvin Cook says he is “going full” with Vikings despite no new deal
Three days prior to the Vikings’ first padded practice of training camp, Cook promised to attend Monday’s session with or without a contract extension. “I’ll be sure to be coaching, cheering, spinning the ball,” Cook said. “I’m locked up percent. I’m trying to get better. I’m trying to lead this young group we have.”

Baker Mayfield says’ I lost myself ‘in the Browns’ chaos last season
The Browns quarterback said he is now in a better state, both physically and mentally, and admitted he lost his way and last year doubted himself amid the chaos in Cleveland. “Success has come through high school and college, and having that standard so high, and then [last year] not nearly as successful as I used to be – so I would say I’m losing myself, “Mayfield said.

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What our NFL Nation reporters saw and heard today

CeeDee Lamb had the game of the day in the Dallas Cowboys’ camp with a catch with one hand over his head on a high pass at the sideline. The rookie had later also fumbled when he turned upfield, but the first-round pick was even noticed in an OTA-type practice. He even serves as one of the point-returners, which is a sign that the Cowboys want to get their hands on the ball as often as possible.

“He’s the same man I’ve seen on TV for the past two or three years,” Ha Ha Clinton-Dix said. “I mean, he’s very straightforward, very fast, man, and he’s just getting comfortable. I can’t wait to see what he has in store for so many veteran wide receivers.” – Todd Archer

The Kansas City Chiefs held their first practice in pads and did not waste a get after the run game. The first practice period in full team drills was central to the run, with rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire as the first in line as the featured back. Here is what coach Andy Reid said about Edwards-Helaire:

“He’s done a lot of work with the first group. That’s valuable work for him. Is everything perfect? ​​No, not now. But he works like crazy to get into it.” – Adam Teicher

For the first time in three days since the media were allowed to observe camp, the Las Vegas Raiders’ attack went against the defense in non-padded drills. Rookie Damon Arnette was a starting cornerback in both Nickel and the 4-3 base defense. By mistake, the Raiders opened in 11 personnel, and rookie Bryan Edwards, instead of Henry Ruggs III’s first pick, was a starting catcher, along with Zay Jones and Nelson Agholor. Not much needs to be made of it … yet.

And although the Raiders saw the return of defensive end Maxx Crosby on Friday from the COVID-19 reserve list, Josh Jacobs still won back, still referee tackle Trent Brown practiced for the third straight day, although coach Jon Gruden insisted neither was “out,” per se. “The head coach will make a decision like two and you will see these guys soon enough,” Gruden said. “They’re not out; they work. You just don’t see them.” The Raiders were eliminated on Saturday but will return Sunday. – Paul Gutierrez

Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Brandon Williams believes the two additions to the defensive line – Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe – will help a run defense that allowed 217 yards in the playoff loss to the Titans. “I have the twin towers right next to me – those two giants,” Williams said. “I do not see how crimes can come to us, man. Those two dudes are good.” – Jamison Hensley

If the Green Bay Packers stepped on the field, Kevin King would probably consider the No. 2 cornerback behind rising star Jaire Alexander. But it was actually King who led the team last season in interceptions (five to Alexander’s two, though King fell two others). And it does not bother King when he is marked as CB2.

“No, look, I have no problem with that,” King said Friday. “People will think what they’ll think, but if you’re in that field, it’s two No. 1s. It’s going to be hard to go to the left. It’s going to be hard to go to the right. The movie will speak for itself. Yes has established itself as one of the elite corners in this league, and I’m right there too. A few more healthy seasons, one more healthy season, and I’ll establish myself as well. “- Rob Demovsky

With no precision games or common practices, one of the things Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia has thought about is how to handle hitting when it comes to training camp practices. He does not want the first time his players’ next contact will actually be in the season opener against the Bears next month, so he has been trying to figure out ways to practice it in the coming weeks.

“You have to feel it; you have to see it; you have to see the speed of it. The question is, How do we do that in a safe environment?” Patricia said. “Sure of the pre-season games, that’s where you get your live action there with the tackling part of it. But we’ll have to do that, and I think for us, it’s putting them in, we’ll call it in -line situations, where maybe the collision and the contact is not so great and it’s a bit safer to play and try to eliminate some more space and speed type plays, but they still have to feel that – they have to be able to drive through and that just get out of the way. “- Michael Rothstein

Todd Wash, defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, who has had the job since 2016, says he will be more hands-on this season with the defensive line due to the glut of new boys and the loss of Calais Campbell (who was traded to Baltimore). He also said he will draw on defensive approach Abry Jones, the longest-serving player on the roster, to replace the focal lead that the defense lost when Campbell was traded.

“The first day we had the vets in the building, Abes and I were sitting – eight years ago I was Abes ‘coach, so we have a very good relationship – and I said,’ It’s time. It’s time for you to really I know before you were a focal boy in that room, but I think Calais was really the leader in that group and now we’ll put that on [pass-rusher] Josh [Allen] even though he is a young player. ‘But he and Abes must step up and lead that group. “- Michael DiRocco

There were two things Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule was proud of on Friday after his team completed its first ‘competitive’ practice camp. First, Carolina is one of a handful of NFL teams that did not pass a player test positive for COVID-19. Rhule is realistic enough to know that will happen at some point, but for the moment he is comfortable with the protocol and does not see the need for a bubble system, although there is a hotel available for players who want to use it. Second, the energy has been very good in practice, and the top players have stepped up to leadership roles so far. Rhule is also realistic about knowing that the key is what happens on Monday as the pads continue. “What you do with helmets and shells is one thing. Once you’ve applied the pads, it’s another thing,” Rhule said. – David Newton

The Tennessee Titans took the field for the first time as a group on Friday. Despite the muddy, humid weather, the practice was up-tempo and productive. Coach Mike Vrabel made his rounds, working in almost every position group in the individual period. Safety Kenny Vaccaro left halfway through the practice and did not return. Vaccaro entered the building without limp. The Safans’ Safans are an area of ​​depth featuring Vaccaro, Kevin Byard, Amani Hooker and Dane Cruikshank. Safety coach Scott Booker said he could see the Titans using large nickels (apparently for three safety) in the subpackets. – Turron Davenport

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