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Quick look at Thursday's Games

The preseason is upon us, and while the outcomes of the games aren't very important, it's always interesting to see how the rookies and second year players are doing.  Here's some stuff I noticed from the bits of the Browns' game I saw and looking at the stats/game summaries elsewhere.  Feel free to add other observations (especially if you saw any of the action)

Jets vs Browns:  Both Cleveland QB's looked decent (Anderson's numbers don't include a sizable PA call), especially for the first game of the preseason.  I don't like Quinn, but he looked good in the short passing game.  I didn't see him throw anything downfield and he did throw an int, though.  Rogers and Williams didn't do anything terribly impressive while I was watching, but I was watching pretty casually.  My hope for Rogers is that he's a better 4-3 UT than 3-4 NT (i.e. better at penetrating than achoring).  The stats show he had 2 tackles on runs of 3 and 5 yards, so good news on that front, although it really doesn't mean much.  Those 8 yards were the bulk of Thomas Jones' total for the day, so don't get too excited.  The big news, though, is that Favre is a Jet.  Did you know Favre is a Jet?  Favre is a Jet.

Giants vs. Lions: Manning wasn't great, and Kitna (perfect QB rating on 7 attempts) and Calvin Johnson both looked very good.  If Johnson and Williams can play well together, they could have a scary passing game.  They also probably have the best QB in the NFC north now (funny, huh?), so they really could go 10-6 this year.  Other than a big run by Jacobs, no one could run the ball, which basically means nothing.  Andre Fluellen, a 3rd round 3-4 DE prospect we passed on had a sack. 

Ravens vs. Patriots: Brady didn't play and all the backup QB's were ugly (3 ints, 50%, 4 ypa).  One of these days all those "probable, knee" injuries will catch up to Brady, and Matt Gutierrez will be waiting.  LaMont Jordan (I didn't even know the Pats had him) had a good day running against 2nd and 3rd teamers, but Moroney was bad (6 for 6yd, long: 6yd).  The Ravens couldn't run either.  Boller put up his classic numbers (11 for 15, 102 yd, 0 td, 1 int, 1 fumble), and the other QB's weren't impressive.  Against the scrubs, Flacco was 0-3 with a fumble.  NE's top 3 picks all made the stat sheet with tackles.  Crable had 4 tackles, .5 sacks, and an int off Boller.

Saints vs. Cardinals: It's early, but the Saints could have an even better passing attack than before.  First off, all 3 QB's looked very good.  Secondly, Meachem (first round WR last year) has been great in camp and had a very impressive showing (4 for 129 yd, 1 td) in his first pre-season game this year.  Colston and Shockey didn't play, but you know they'll be productive.  Finally, if Adrian Arrington doesn't get arrested, he could prove to be another 7th round steal at WR.  Reggie Bush, on the other hand, put up his classic numbers (7 for 22, 3.1 ypa), so the running game could really drag down the offense.  Maybe they should follow New England's lead and just go 4 wide all day.  They have the players.  On the other side, Leinart got the start and put up some good numbers himself.  None of the draft picks (ther than Arrington) stood out.  On the last play of the first half, though, Orien Harris sacked Brian St. Pierre. 

Chiefs vs. Bears: I didn't look too closely, but the only thing that stood out was that team midget Garrett Wolfe had 89 yards from scrimage and had 2 big plays. 

Did I miss anything?  Did anyone get to watch DTV or local games and see anything interesting that ESPN didn't say? 

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Bears game

For those who care…

Orton Vs. Grossman is still a painful spectacle to watch. Grossman fell over taking a snap, and Orton while scrambling just dropped the ball. How Jerry Angelo does not go grab Chad Pennington I do not know. I’ll take a weak arm that is accurate over the circus Chicago’s been playing for 4 years.

The Bears defense looks vulnerable against the run. They’re fast and can get to the QB well, but I’m not convinced they’ll hold up against the run. They’re looking colts-like minus Bob Sanders.

KC looked good. Granted it’s preseason but both QBs performed well. Bowe is one hell of an athlete and showed it a few times. LJ looks to be in better form although he made a few mental mistakes that you’d prefer a vet not to make.

Devin Hester continues to get more cheers when he comes out for punt returns then any other play. Any coach that kicks to him this season deserves a quick kick to the head. The Bears offense shouldn’t scare anyone. Give them decent field position with directional punting. Just don’t let that kid break one.

One bright spot. Matt Forte (second round pick at RB) looked really good. He hit the holes well, shrugged some tackles and caught the ball well out of the backfield.

by Chicago Steeler on Aug 8, 2008 12:22 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The sheer obstinance

of refusing to even give another QB a casual chance in Chicago has puzzled me. Those two must have some damned incriminating pictures.

Oh, and isn’t Williams out for the season?

by Desroko on Aug 8, 2008 3:30 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Thanks

That sounds like some amazing QB play. It’s funny, Grossman has looked so good at times, but now he just looks like a boob. I don’t know if it’s a confidence thing or what. Have fun with Chris Williams, I guess.

by BadMaafala on Aug 8, 2008 3:34 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Jordan

Just one comment – I think LaMont Jordan should have a decent to good year for the Patriots. The Patriots just seem to have a knack for picking up guys that weren’t in the best situations (Antowain Smith, Corey Dillon) and getting a few good years out of them. Damn them..

by smashmouthsteel on Aug 8, 2008 2:06 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah...

When free agency comes along Bellicheat and co can be found down at the crossroads with a blood filled pen and the smell of brimstone…

They do get ridiculously good results from FA it seems. Somebody’s got to be trading souls somewhere.

by SCSteeler on Aug 8, 2008 2:34 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

There have been some Mike Vrabels, but there also have been Roosevelt Colvins. With the exception of the Moss and Welker trades, most of their “big signings” haven’t worked out, while a good number of their cheap washed up ones have. Donte Stallworth didn’t make a huge impact, and for all he’s making, Adalius Thomas hasn’t exactly revitalized their LB’s.

by BadMaafala on Aug 8, 2008 3:31 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I guess the perception doesn’t live up to the hype. I must admit that Vrabel was on the mind…

by SCSteeler on Aug 8, 2008 3:35 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

"Donte Stallworth didn’t make a huge impact"

I was surprised by that. Hopefully the browns won’t have any better luck with him.

"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."

by showtime on Aug 10, 2008 11:49 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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