Chickillo! ...And Other Early Camp Observations
2015 Preseason Preview
by PalmerSucks
August 4, 2015
The hillsides are dotted with fans, the tents have been raised and the sweaty millionaires are sucking on water hoses again. And while some training-camp aspects never change, the Stillers team that comes into Latrobe this year is decidedly different.
Dick LeBeau’s departure opens the door to what we’re told will be a more aggressive defense, featuring a bunch of new faces to replace the departed household names. One of these newbies is rookie Anthony Chickillo, who provoked this comment in my draft review back in May:
“…the Stillers make probably my favorite pick, Anthony Chickillo of The U. “Captain Relentless” has that proverbial no-quit motor and the charge of a stuck bull. Just ask the all-stars he terrorized at the East-West Shrine Game (that is, if you can coax them out from underneath the bed.)”
Frankly I was surprised Chickillo lasted as long as he did – I thought he’d be drafted by the end of third round. I was also a bit surprised the Stillers took him, as I’d thought they’d finished their OLB shopping on day one. Fortunately their better sense prevailed.
I singled out Chickillo because I think he has the potential to be this year’s Martavis Bryant, a guy who comes out of nowhere to make a splash. So far Chickillo is on track, as from all accounts he’s made quite an impression in camp. He’s shown drive, burst and yes, that motor I mentioned before.
The son of former Jets and Chargers lineman Tony Chickillo, Anthony Jr.’s fine football instincts run in the family. (In fact, don’t be surprised if at this stage he shows more feel for the game than Bud Dupree.) However, unlike Bryant, Junior’s path to success will be a bit more challenging. Bryant plays a position that was begging for help last season; Chickillo, on the other hand, enters an already crowded linebacker corps. What’s more, he’ll have to show he can make the classic 3-4 switch from DL to LB. So if he’s to make the team, Chickillo will likely have to enter through the special-teams door.
Still, watch for number 40 this Saturday. I believe he’ll make the most of his opportunities whether covering kicks or running down quarterbacks.
A few other observations:
--The Stillers finally showed some personnel-management skills in signing Brandon Boykin from Philly. No doubt this has to do with Golson’s health status, but the fact is they’d been trying to sign Boykin for some time. Boykin’s an excellent slot corner, who, in three years of playing part-time notched 7 interceptions – that’s half of what Ike Taylor did playing full time during that period. Like with Golson, of course, there are questions about his height. The fact is, though, Boykin’s a short corner -- with big ball skills.
--Boykin’s arrival complicates things for Dri Archer, whose role with the Stillers is already cloudy. Besides playing corner, Boykin can return kicks. I’ve ranted more than once about the team’s cluelessness in how they employ Archer, but that’s only part of the story. Archer, I believe, lacks the natural instincts of most NFL running backs – he’s a guy who needs to be lined up wide as well as in the backfield to be effective. The Stillers claim they have “plans” for Archer to be “more involved” in the offense this season, so we’ll see.
--Archer caught an unfortunate break – literally – when Eli Rogers out of Louisville went down with a cracked hoof. Rogers had impressed with his return skills and I’m disappointed we may not get to see him in live action. Of course, there’s one guy who isn’t all that unhappy: Dri Archer.
--Please please PLEASE someone from among the group of Taj Boyd, Devin Gardner and Tyler Murphy do something to end the Landry Jones era! With Gradkowski questionable to play right now, we should get closer looks at all three. I’m kind of intrigued by Gardner, who showed Slash abilities at Michigan.
--Jarvis Jones has added some pounds – now let’s see if he can add some heart.
--I’ll have my eye on rookie TE Jesse James out of Happy Valley. He’s huge, and has better get-downfield ability than most people give him credit for. If he can show he can block, he has a chance to fulfill the dream – my dream -- and replace Matt “No-YAC” Spaeth. I like James and hope his time comes sooner than later.
--DeAngelo Williams is another terrific acquisition. I still haven’t given up on Josh Harris, though, who makes a capable #2 if given the chance. Once Bell returns, the Stillers should have their deepest RB corps in years.
--Of all players to make an impression, Roosevelt Nix – fullback Roosevelt Nix – has been a standout. Yes, at fullback, the game’s forgotten position. A college defensive stalwart converted to offense, the powerful, stocky Nix reminds me of another Kent Stater: James Harrison. I call Nix “the Lumberjack” because he cuts hard and lays the wood.
--As expected, Doran Grant has looked solid. Why he’s listed 4th on the depth chart at corner is beyond me.
--With Bryant sitting out, expect to see more of Sammie Coates. Here’s his chance to show his hands actually aren’t made out of tennis racquets. The similiarities between him and Bryant are obvious: both are big, fast downfield guys who both had their catching abilities questioned coming out of college.
--I’m hearing about the “great camp” Cam Thomas is having. I don’t care how much you work on it, you can’t coach away getting manhandled like Thomas did last season. I’d much rather see the promising rookie Walton take his spot. On the other hand, Mike Mitchell’s struggles last year do have explanations – he was covering for a past-his-prime Troy Pola, and, as we’ve recently learned, was playing through an – ouch – torn pelvic abductor muscle. I still believe in Mitchell’s athletic ability, and think he’ll come on this season.
--Dupree’s size-speed ratio blew people away at the combine. Personally, I hope he turns out to be the next L.T. But great players show they’re great in pads, not shorts. For my money, Chickillo is actually the better football player. That may sound funny to some, but A.C. strongly reminds me of another converted lineman who played LB in Pittsburgh: Mike Vrabel. Plus I think he’s a total Joey Porter kind of guy.
Time will tell. For first-rounders like Dupree, who don’t have to worry about making the team, camp’s a different kind of experience. It’s the Chickillos, the later-rounders, who have to fight just to earn a roster spot. That’s what makes each preseason such compelling drama.
The 2015 season will feature a lot of new blood, and on defense watch out for a new one-gap look courtesy of Butler, and a new Cover-2 tint courtesy of Tomlin. (This should free up Heyward and Tuitt in ways Aaron Smith could only dream.) The troops may be green, but the look will be fresh.
Comments? Address ‘em to PalmerSucks@Stillers.com