Pro FB Notebook
Preview Weekend 3-NFL Preseason schedule
Chargers-Seattle….Philip Rivers will start and likely play entire first half….RB-Melvin Gordon has just 6-carries in preseason-needs lots more live action…WR-Donnie Inman likely out with concussion from a week ago….Interesting battle shaping up for extra WR slots involving ex-Ram Austin Pettis…and rookie free agent Tyrell Williams-Western Oregon….Defense coming off strong outing in Arizona…Will it cause havoc for Seahawks QB-Russell Wilson…Seattle surprising (0-2)…lots of problems in offensive line and nagging injuries in defensive front….S-Kam Chancellor continues his long holdout…Real test if Hawks use Marshawn Lynch-Christian Michael as starting RBs againgst Chargers leaky run defense.
New England-Carolina…QB-Jimmy Garoppolo very strong performance throwing last weekend (28-33)…Patriots sign WR-Reggie Wayne to augment battered wide receiver corps….Injuries real issue in Panthers camp with loss of top two wide receivers, starting center, and now top defensive end….Cam Newton went just (4-10) passing last week.
Tennessee-Kansas City…QBs-Zac Mettenberger and lst round pick Marcus Mariota both playing well….Mariota does not make mistakes…has thrown only one interception since camp opened…..Mettenberger played really well last year before getting hurt….Strange situation with Chiefs…team moving ball and getting more production with backup QB-Chase Daniel that with hi priced Alex Smith….Getting ball down the field in passing game still issue-remember last year, no wide receiver caught a touchdown.
Detroit-Jacksonville….Lions think defense will be very good despite loss of Ndomakong Suh….Matthew Stafford WR corps looks strong….Lots of praise for 2nd year Jaguars QB-Blake Bortels-growing on the job.
Pittsburgh-Buffalo….Steelers have to replace leader in OL-with loss of C-Maurkice Pouncey to ankle surgery….Pittsburgh young secondary playing consistent…Bills still without RB-LeSean McCoy…..real QB-derby after EJ Manuel played so well last week.
Minnesota-Dallas…QB-Teddy Bridgewater growing under Norv Turner teachings….Waiting to see breakout game from WR-Mike Wallace….RB-Adrian Peterson not playing preseason games…….Cowboys miserable in first two games playing all backups….Assume Tony Romo-Dez Bryant get on the field….RB-Darren McFadden, ex Raider, hurt again, hamstring again.’
Cleveland-Tampa Bay…QB-Johnny Manziel had good weekend throwing ball but came up with sore elbow-may not play this weekend….QB-Jameis Winston impressive in Bucs win over Bengals as was RB-Doug Martin…Bucs may be better than anyone thought.
Atlanta-Miami…QB-Ryan Tannehill having fabulous camp-looks like star in the making…Injuries and lack of depth hurting Miami defense….Falcons run game a mess with nagging injuries to kid RBs supposed to carry the load, Tevin Coleman and DeVante Freeman.
Jets-Giants…Tom Coughlin’s G-Men shredded by injuries on defense….six safeties hurt in camp…now LB-Jon Beason also injured….Eli Manning just (4-14) last weekend….WR-Victor Cruz, coming off knee surgery, now has calf problem….Jets trying to protect QB-Ryan Fitzpatrick since he will be the starter in place of injured Geno Smith…Coach Todd Bowles has his hands fulls with 2-suspensions, 3- major injuries and a player fight in camp.
Chicago-Cincinnati…..Jay Cutler comes off (8-9) passing performance-looks like he is dialed in with new offense….John Fox has defense playing better as a unit….Bengals coming off lousy loss in Tampa….team does not look right on offense despite success of QB Andy Dalton-WR-AJ Green….Defense looks better.
Washington-Baltimore….RG3-injury list now includes concussion….Kirk Cousins seems to move team better…Lots of injuries this preseason for Coach Jay Gruden…..Ravens got blitzed-burned last weekend….Wondering if team missed NT-Hloti Ngata..Joe Flacco had rough weekend last weekend loss.
Philadelphia-Green Bay….Packers reeling with season ending loss to WR-Jordy Nelson and injury to RB-Eddie Lacy…..Eagles piled up nearly 500-yards last weekend with Chip Kelly using everyone, using lots of different plays….Jury still out on QB-Sam Bradford, though Mark Sanchez played well. What becomes of ex-USC-QB-Matt Barkley? Interesting battle between Darren Sproles-Kenjon Barner for return jobs.
Colts-Rams…Indianapolis has yet to unleash all its weapons…Poor outing last weekend by OL-DL in loss….Rams Nick Foles has had two games-limited snaps-at quarterback…St. Louis pass rush looks superb.
49ers-Broncos…Tell me it’s not Colin Kaeperneck against the world? San Francisco seems to be lacking firepower on both sides of ball….Lots of new replacements on defense for all those who left, including Aldon Smith, Justin Smith, LBs and DBs. Broncos saw Peyton Manning go (8-14) passing from under center-no longer shotgun driven offense…RB-Ronnie Hillman impressive first two games…Montee Ball dropped to 3rd team running back.
Houston-New Orleans….Texans name QB-Brian Hoyer as starter, but what will they be like without Andre Johnson and Arian Foster on offense? Saints looked explosive with ball last year, guess anyone can play with Drew Brees, he is so good. Too bad he cannot play defense. Saints looked terrible that side of the ball.
Arizona-Raiders…QB-Carson Palmer sharp two games in a row. Cardinals could be very dangerous once they get Michael Floyd back to join rest of WRs. wonder if RB-Chris Johnson has anything left-could be a great pickup. Defense did beat up Chargers first unit last weekend. Raiders evolving as team. QB-Derek Carr-WR-Amari Cooper look great. Lots no names on defense, but playing well for Jack Del Rio. Any progress is better than what we have seen in recent years.
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