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Here is the Training Camp Report for Wednesday August 11th:

It Means Nothing

My Twitter feed was set ablaze this afternoon after the Saints released their first depth chart of the preseason. My man crush C.J. Spiller was listed as the third string RB on that depth chart and a bunch of you let me have it through social media.

Let me put it to you this way. There is no way in hell that C.J. Spiller is third in line in the Saints backfield. Furthermore, if you are not smart enough to understand that a depth chart that features Khiry Robinson over Spiller is a farce, then I’m not sure I can communicate with you.

The Saints are so worried about preserving their new weapon that they held him out of two days of practice after he came down with a cramp last Friday. This is one of those situations where you are not going to see or hear about C.J. Spiller much this month. The Saints are going to unveil him at the proper time which will be in week one against the Arizona Cardinals.

 

Kicker Auditions In Pittsburgh

Make sure you take Steelers placekicker Shaun Suisham off of your kicker rankings now folks as he will miss the entire 2015 season. Suisham tore the ACL in his left leg during Sunday night’s Hall of Fame Game and will need surgery to repair it. The Steelers will now bring in a variety of kickers to audition for the open job this week.

 

Speaking Of Season Ending injuries

The Eagles defense has been a major problem over the past two seasons and though they have tried to bring in some talent this offseason, things just aren’t working out well. Newly acquired LB Kiko Alonso has been missing practices left, right and center the latest due to a concussion suffered last Tuesday.

With the Giants and Cowboys getting better in the passing game last season the Eagles know that they have to be able to cover in order to slow down these offensive juggernauts. The Eagles already thin secondary got even more so today as sixth round pick JaCorey Shepherd went down with what is being called a torn ACL. Shepherd had been having a great camp to date and was mixing in with the first team defense prior to the injury. He will be placed on IR and miss the entire 2015 season.

 

Just Go Already

Ravens WR Steve Smith announced today that the 2015 season would be his last as he will retire at the end of the season. While Smith has amassed a very impressive career, he has slowed down tremendously over the past few years.

His first year in Baltimore was successful to be sure but could have been a lot better if he could have kept up his early season pace. In fact his 1,065 yards last year was just the third time in the last six seasons that Smith amassed over 1,000 yards receiving.

Smith lost a lot of his speed years ago and now relies mostly on savvy and grit to get open. He often gets frustrated when bigger stronger cornerbacks lock him down. This leads to meltdowns and altercations that result in penalties. In fact, Smith’s best attribute these days is his ability to draw pass interference calls.

To me Steve Smith is no more than a WR4 in fantasy leagues this year. He is old, small and has barely a shell of his former speed. I like the Ravens passing attack this year but know that Marc Trestman prefers bigger WR’s to fit his scheme.

 

Help Wanted

Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians came out today and ripped his team’s running backs as a whole. He told members of the media that he is, “just not pleased with where we’re at right now at that position.”

He went on to say that the Cardinals will take a long look at the talent pool currently available on the free agent market. Though he specifically ruled out the idea of brining in Ray Rice when asked about the former Ravens RB.

Although I am sure this is more coach speak in order to motivate his squad, there is some real truth to what Arians is saying. Andre Ellington is a small, skinny average speed RB who was an afterthought as a sixth round pick back in 2013. Stepfan Taylor is a low grade plodding power back and Marion Grice is a local hero who lacks speed, power and pass protection skills.

This is a very subpar group of talent but whomever winds up toting the rock will benefit from what is now a very good run blocking offensive line. Keep an eye on who the Cardinals bring in (if anybody) and remember that they are not committed to any RB this season.