Posted by
Catmman on Sunday, August 02, 2009 3:32:31 PM
I haven't done any blog posting, let alone reading, since Friday. I've attended the training camp every day since it has opened, even though I probably thought I wouldn't. I even went to the two-a-day practices yesterday.
Some quick notes:
There is a lot of "youth" on this team. A lot of rookies (of course some still fighting for roster spots) and most of the "core" of the team is relatively "young". I think Da 'Boys are in pretty good shape to get a good crew together.
There seems to be good focus and routine going. Two examples: The kicking crew comes out early and runs through their warm ups and initial exercises, before everyone else, every practice, every practice. Bobby Carpenter (LB, #54) comes out and goes through a stretching routine with one of his coaches in the same spot, same time, every practice.
It's really interesting to watch the team run through a practice: watching the routes, watching the groups interact, watching the plays run in the "scrimmages". For a football junkie, this is good stuff.
I have a tone of photo's, but it will be some time before I get them all downloaded, sorted through, etc. I'll probably do a photo essay post when the camp is over. Bare with me.
I'm a bit PO'd about a few things having to do with the fans. I know these guys are "just" athletes and the fan base of any particular team drives a large portion of the profit margin of said franchise. That being said, when the players come out on the field for practice, they are working. Hawking for autographs while the players are working is just bad form. If a player wants to sign autographs when they first come out, they will, but most won't before practice.
Another thing about trying to get an autograph: The players don't need to hear things like "show us some love" or "come over for the kids", stuff like that. Trying to "guilt" (at least that's how it seems to me) a player into giving an autograph is not right IMO. These guys donate thousands of dollars to their favorite charities and give up countless time for kids and others all over the country. Athletes of all people know "it's for the kids" since they were kids once and were probably inspired themselves by an athlete. Calling a player by a nickname, his number, etc. to get their attention is fine. But saying things like the above is again, bad form.
If you want to get some autographs, put a little forethought into what your going to do please? Get yourself in a good position, get a good seat before the practice starts. Pushing other people out of the way or trying to insinuate yourself in a place where you aren't going to fit isn't going to make you any friends. I feel better now that I've got that off my chest.
Autograph Update: (again, thanks for all of these to the players and coaches)
Dave Campo, Defensive Secondary Coach
Miles Austin, #19, WR
David Buehlar, #18 K (R)
Felix Jones, #28 RB
Mat McBriar, #1, P
Gerald Sensabaugh, #43 S
Ken Hamlin, #26 S
Sam Hurd, #17 WR
Steve Octavian, #53 LB
Brandon Williams, #59 LB (R)
Jason Williams, #58 LB (R)
Autograph Note: Coach Campo was very nice and accommodating. Also, Mat McBriar actually made eye contact with those he was signing, asking people how they were, taking questions etc. David Buehlar, the rookie kicker, thanked people for coming out and spent much time with the fans yesterday afternoon. He was very gentlemanly and respectful towards my wife (who was very thankful for him getting to a lot of kids, and told him so) as well.
One final note on getting autographs: It helps to know the actual names of the person your trying to get an autograph from. When Buehlar came over to sign, people were calling him Nick Folk (who is the starting kicker). He didn't say anything. I didn't know who he was at first, but I knew he wasn't Folk. I happened to see his jersey number in his helmet. I looked up his name and called him, I was the only one who did. When he heard his name, he jerked his head up and his eyes got brite. I called his name again. He saw me then, came over and signed my stuff, some stuff for my wife and my daughters and was greatful someone figured out who he was. He was a great guy.