Training camp 1-on-1’s: Sherman is back

Before Rob Lowder writes up his notes from training camp, we’ll use this as a separate thread to post all of his 1-on-1’s. Let’s be honest, that’s all we care about, anyway: highlights and health. With the first padded practice, brings the first 1-on-1’s of training camp. Let’s check out some of the clips.

This is my guy. This might come off as handsy, but it’s within the frame of the rules. First off, Matthews releasing outside than trying to get back inside makes life easy on Reed. I love that Reed kept fighting for inside position and was physical. That’s what he brings, physicality. Also, the ability to make plays on the ball. That’s likely why we’ll see a heavy dose of Reed at cornerback.

Shermmmmm season

You don’t need to watch 100 plays of a guy to know that he’s feeling better. In the case of Richard Sherman, in two clips, you can tell “he’s back.” Check out this first play against Marquise Goodwin. Last year, Sherman doesn’t trust himself and likely opens up and runs earlier than he has to, which would create the space Goodwin needs:

You see Sherman stay “on top and in front,” and also gets his hands on Goodwin. He doesn’t even let Goodwin get to his proper route depth. A two-yard gain. What a beautiful rep.

This next rep is where Sherman’s health shows up. When Goodwin goes to break inside, there will be natural separation against anyone. Watch how quickly Sherman closes.

That doesn’t happen last year.

A tale of two players

When Jalen Hurd decided to have a “me against the world” attitude, there was always going to be a target on his back for the remainder of training camp. The defense is going to antagonize Hurd and do whatever it takes to get under his skin.

In the routes below, Ahkello Witherspoon faces Hurd and Dante Pettis. Both receivers run the same route, but the results are quite different.

Spoon doesn’t respect Hurd’s ability to get vertical, so he sits on his route. It also doesn’t help Hurd took nearly five steps to get out of his break. Ahkello does a great job of getting his head around, attacking the ball, and most importantly, finishing.

Now, against Pettis. Same route. Different result.

Unlike Hurd, Pettis doesn’t just spring off the line. He uses tempo and can stop on a dime at the top of his route. He creates separation but is unable to hang on.

Later on, Hurd changed his pace up against Reed, and it worked:

Verrett watch

Jason Verrett continues to rotate in and get more comfortable. Judging by the rep below, he’s playing it safe and still getting his legs back underneath him.

This looks like he’s on cruise control. He was never going to regain his 2015 form in July. That’s not fair to him to assume so. I’m more interested in what Verrett will look like a month from now.

Route of the day

The route of the day belongs to Richie James, who caught me by surprise when he stopped on a dime on this nice comeback route.

Check out Rob’s timeline for more 1-on-1’s. Lots of very good videos today!