Day 1 was as intense as I can remember. That may sound cliche to some, but it's the natural byproduct of the accumulation of talent and expectations. Here are some of my quick-hitter thoughts from both the media portion of practice and the VIP access:

- Here's something that Ahmmon pointed out to me during the closed portion of practice- a big-name player (one of the best on the team) noticed that another big-time player didn't finish a drill as hard as he could have. These two players don't even play the same position. The first player held his teammate accountable, and the second player went back and finished at a championship standard. There were no coaches around, and Ahmmon immediately picked up on this small example of championship culture.

- The WR and DB rooms may be the deepest on the team. It looked that way in spring, and it's even more pronounced now. They were competing from 1-on-1s through team drills. The catches were contested, and there were several spectacular PBUs and a couple INTs. OJ Frederique has put on a ton of weight (over 195 pounds) and is moving as well as ever. He appears on a mission to be a first round pick. He battled with Cooper Barkate all practice and had an INT in the open period. Ethan O'Connor added 20+ pounds of weight in one year and seems to be running the same way as before.

Daylyn Upshaw flashed late hands and continues to elevate his physical traits and skillset with hard work. Josh Moore looked smooth as ever coming off his ankle injury and was able to sink his hips and separate in team drills.

Omar Thornton showed surprising coverage ability for someone labeled as a hitter. Chris Ewald and Jaelen Waters also had nice days with multiple PBUs.

- I was really pleased with the quarterback play on Day 1. Darian Mensah looks better than he did in spring, and is further along in the process than Carson Beck at the stage (which makes sense given Day 1 of camp was Beck's first practice from injury). Mensah has outstanding field vision and punished the blitz with explosive throws downfield. This was the best I've seen Luke Nickel look since he's been here. His placement was outstanding all day.

- Israel Briggs continues to show high-level athleticism at TE. He's up to 230 pounds (he was 195 in spring) and has difference-making potential. I expect him to play right away and factor into this offense. Elija Lofton is back in the 230s himself and looks significantly faster and healthier than he did in spring and last camp.

- Competition is the theme at OL. There was much more rotation with the 1s than there was in spring, and I saw at least 8 players get reps with the starters. Expect Ben Congdon to play early and often. Canon Pickett is also on an accelerated track after being limited with injury in spring.

- Girard Pringle Jr. was back after missing most of spring with an ankle injury. He's as explosive as you remember. Jordan Lyle also had multiple big runs.

 

Trenches were the strength of team last year and now it seems to be the skill guys as the alpha groups. Briggs hype is loading . Nice to hear Canon Pickett get a mention. I personally have minimal worries about the OL considering 1 month of camp and first 4 games of schedule are perfect for them to gel. Got my eyes fixed on TE, linebacker, and QB2 battle.

Well, we are going to need trenches to be a strength of the team any year we want to go where we want to go…I’m hoping they surpass every group, which will open up the skill guys to do their bit

 

Well, we are going to need trenches to be a strength of the team any year we want to go where we want to go…I’m hoping they surpass every group, which will open up the skill guys to do their bit

Here is how I view it. Our trenches are significantly better than every team we’ll face in the regular season, and probably better than most teams we’d face in the playoffs. To me, that’s what matters most. It’ll be this way every year. Yes, we have a lot of new pieces on the oline, but it’s still one of the best units in the country

Our DB and WR rooms are the two deepest position groups on the team, which is why they’ll be labeled as our two biggest strengths.

 

I love that's it's finally ok to get excited about these practice reports!

 

Well, we are going to need trenches to be a strength of the team any year we want to go where we want to go…I’m hoping they surpass every group, which will open up the skill guys to do their bit

I couldn't agree more! However while we lost 4 starters from last year's OL I still think they will be a strength overall as we enter year 5 of Mario/Mirabal and we have been stockpiling talent. I think we will need our 1st 4 games to work out the kinks and in general I see this OL being better in December/January than September/October. On the other side of the trenches on the DL we are deep and talented despite losing Bain and Mesidor to the NFL and dismissing Hayden Lowe. Again, barring injury I expect this group to be a significant factor in the playoffs.

 

Here is how I view it. Our trenches are significantly better than every team we’ll face in the regular season, and probably better than most teams we’d face in the playoffs. To me, that’s what matters most. It’ll be this way every year. Yes, we have a lot of new pieces on the oline, but it’s still one of the best units in the country

Our DB and WR rooms are the two deepest position groups on the team, which is why they’ll be labeled as our two biggest strengths.

Agreed. Both lines will maintain a high level of play despite the losses as we begin to "reload" as opposed to "rebuild".

Our CB and WR groups are flat out ridiculous. Just look at the top 7-8 of each group. Just recently I named a top 7 at WR and CB then at CB I realized that I had forgotten Chris Ewald. Then at WR I had overlooked both Milan Paris and Vance Spafford. They may be true freshmen but these kids came here to compete not mess around until their Junior/Senior years. This isn't the Manny Diaz era anymore. These kids are serious about football and even more serious about working and competing.

 

Well, we are going to need trenches to be a strength of the team any year we want to go where we want to go…I’m hoping they surpass every group, which will open up the skill guys to do their bit

True. Last year was insanely good performance of both lines. Not sure we can expect a repeat of that level. But I think we will still be good. Score more points on O and create more turnovers via INT's and we will go VERY far if not all the way as long as special teams does its job.

 

Agreed. Both lines will maintain a high level of play despite the losses as we begin to "reload" as opposed to "rebuild".

Our CB and WR groups are flat out ridiculous. Just look at the top 7-8 of each group. Just recently I named a top 7 at WR and CB then at CB I realized that I had forgotten Chris Ewald. Then at WR I had overlooked both Milan Paris and Vance Spafford. They may be true freshmen but these kids came here to compete not mess around until their Junior/Senior years. This isn't the Manny Diaz era anymore. These kids are serious about football and even more serious about working and competing.

Agreed. Going back to late 80s, I can't recall a Canes team that had this kind of depth at WR and CB.