This is my Jet Stream debut so I will do my best to keep up with the veteran Cimini who is taking some much needed time away to do some of our special section preview stories.
I don’t have eyes like Rich Cimini and notice everything that goes on at practice but I am learning. I guess you can call me Rich’s Padawan learner (that’s Star Wars terminology for an apprentice who does training under a Jedi Master).
First the notable injured players: Laveranues Coles (leg) went through a limited practice, running some light routes with the other receivers and quarterbacks. I saw Brett Favre throw one lob at the end of a play to Coles and that was about it. Coles did some running on the side as well.
Shaun Ellis (broken hand) did some jogging and conditioning on his own during practice. Also, Eric Mangini confirmed that WR David Clowney (collarbone) will miss some significant time.
Favre looked sharp in practice for the most part, zipping balls as usual. He did struggle for a couple of plays in the hurry-up portion – throwing one interception to Darrelle Revis - but that was more because of what appeared to be miscommunication with the receivers.
Favre found his emerging favorite target – Jerricho Cotchery – a number of times for completions and Wallace Wright made a couple of impressive catches that drew cheers from the crowd. Rookie quarterback Erik Ainge struggled a bit, throwing two interceptions.
Rookie cornerback Dwight Lowery got some work with the first-team defense and he had one of the interceptions on Ainge.
After practice, Favre talked about how he would like to see the offense simplified a bit and talked at length about the terminology being thrown his way. It sounds like Mangini and OC Brian Schottenheimer are listening to Favre a bit and trying to work things out. Mangini has changed some of the terminology and some of that may have to do with Favre and former players like Chad Pennington going to division rival Miami and Victor Hobson going to the Patriots.
