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raiders72001
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Date Joined Mar 2005
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Posted 8/23/2005 8:12 AM (GMT -5) |
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THURSDAY'S GAME 8/25/05
Atlanta Falcons - QB Rotation: Michael Vick, Ty Detmer, Matt Schaub.
Most Falcons veterans will be used sparingly in the preseason, coach Jim Mora said. Vick took just 27 snaps all last preseason and just three in the 2004 exhibition opener. Mora indicated he'd probably follow last season's strategy of limiting Vick.
Defensively, the Falcons were easy pickings through the air and on third down last week. Five defensive starters were out, which was a factor. But 31 first downs allowed the Titans to dominate the time of possession — 43 minutes to 17.
Offensively, the passing game — including protection (three sacks allowed) — remains an area of concern. Though coach Jim Mora said he expects flanker WR Peerless Price to be ready to play Thursday at Jacksonville (bruised ribs and a concussion), it could be too early to know if he'll be healthy enough to suit up.
An emphasis on protection for QB Vick: The coaches have tweaked the offensive line schemes a bit after surrendering 50 sacks last season, but it still needs work.
The Falcons have shown no signs of learning from their penalty woes, racking up 10 against the Titans to give them 30 penalties in three games for a total of 220 yards.
Jacksonville Jaguars - QB Rotation: Byron Leftwich, David Garrard, Quinn Gray, Nate Hybl.
RB Fred Taylor is expected to make his first start of the preseason here.
QB Byron Leftwich completed his first eight passes, and then nine of 10 on a second-quarter drive and finished 14 of 21 for 125 yards. More importantly, Leftwich wasn't sacked as the offensive line was more solid than last week when he was sacked four times in four series.
The Jaguars also may have discovered a budding star in sixth round draft choice Chad Owens. Owens started as the third receiver ahead of veteran Troy Edwards and first round pick Matt Jones.
Secondary thin: CB David Richardson (ankle) missed last week's game. Rookie Scott Starks has been starting along with second-year pro Chris Thompson. Veteran free agent CB Kenny Wright has also been seeing time. "We're going to continue to shuffle those guys through and make it competitive," Del Rio said. "We just want to get a good, thorough evaluation before we make any decisions."
Carl Smith is the new offensive coordinator. He is a proponent of play action, something you will see a lot with his QBs in preseason. Smith said, "We're going to use the whole field this season."
FRIDAY'S GAMES 8/26/05
Cincinnati Bengals - QB Rotation: Carson Palmer, Jon Kitna, Casey Bramlet, Craig Krenzel.
Secondary thin: CB Myles didn't play in the second half last week because of a groin injury, and CB Rashad Bauman (stinger) left the game injured and didn't return.
Philadelphia Eagles - QB Rotation: Donovan McNabb, Mike McMahon, Andy Hall.
With Terrell Owens out of the lineup, the Eagles' have a trio of young receivers getting to play in Greg Lewis, rookie Reggie Brown and Billy McMullen.
The two injuries of biggest concern after Saturday's game were CB Dexter Wynn's sprained right ankle and WR Justin Jenkins' sprained right knee. If Wynn's injury is serious, the Eagles will need to find another punt returner. In his absence, Robert Redd handled punt returns Saturday night, but there's no guarantee that the wide receiver will make the squad.
"I don't like seeing him run during preseason," Andy Reid said when asked about Donovan McNabb's big run the last game.
San Diego Chargers - QB Rotation: Drew Brees, Philip Rivers, Cleo Lemon, Craig Ochs.
This is a short week for the Chargers after playing Sunday against the Rams.
The Chargers are the only team in the NFL that returns all 22 starters on offense and defense, plus their punter, kicker and long snapper.
Minnesota Vikings - QB Rotation: Daunte Culpepper, Brad Johnson, Shaun Hill.
CB Fred Smoot (right knee) should be ready to make his first preseason appearance Friday.
Running backs thin: Rookie RB Ciatrick Fason will miss two to three weeks, and RB Michael Bennett "dinged up his neck" Friday,
Mike Tice said Travis Dorsch will get a chance to do some punting Friday.
Starting Center Matt Birk had been expected to make his preseason debut Friday, but now there is question whether the Vikings center will be ready for the Sept. 11 regular-season opener against Tampa Bay.
Buffalo Bills - QB Rotation: J.P. Losman, Kelly Holcomb, Shane Matthews, Tory Woodbury, Kevin Thompson.
Offensive line thin: Guards Lawrence Smith and Ben Sobieski were ruled out for the year.
Defensive Coordinator Jerry Gray has been blitzing often. Gray looks at the depth chart and likes what he sees. In this pass-happy era of the NFL you can never have enough good cornerbacks, and the Bills have plenty of them. Starters Nate Clements and Terrence McGee played in the Pro Bowl last season.
Chicago Bears - QB Rotation: Chad Hutchinson (first half), rookie Kyle Orton (3rd Q), Kurt Kittner, Jeff Blake.
The starters are expected to play at least through the first half, and RB Thomas Jones ought to play.
Offensive coordinator Ron Turner will install a game plan for Friday's exhibition against Buffalo with the hope that the specific scheme, along with another week to settle into his role, will help QB Chad Hutchinson be more productive. Hutchinson's overall numbers in the preseason fall short of Orton's. Hutchinson is 17-for-28 for 178 yards with the two interceptions and a 49.4 passer rating.
The Bears lost starting QB Rex Grossman (ankle) for 3-4 months.
The Bears have a new offensive coordinator in Ron Turner. He is bringing in his version of the West Coast offense. His offense is geared toward receivers as opposed to backs and tight ends in the passing game. Turner said, "We definitely are going to continue to be aggressive."
Pittsburgh Steelers - QB Rotation: Ben Roethlisberger, Tommy Maddox, Charlie Batch, Brian St. Pierre.
Washington Redskins - QB Rotation: Patrick Ramsey (1st Q+), Mark Brunell (2nd Q+), rookie Jason Campbell (3rd Q+).
Coach Joe Gibbs said he intends to split the snaps evenly among his top three quarterbacks Friday against Pittsburgh.Gibbs said, "Our game plan would be roughly a third, a third and a third."
The Redskins are short on cornerbacks.
New England Patriots - QB Rotation: Tom Brady, Doug Flutie, Rohan Davey, rookie Matt Cassel.
After receiving no playing time against New Orleans, QB Rohan Davey appears to be the odd man out. Bill Belichick has yet to declare Flutie or Cassel as the No. 2.
The Pats have allowed 303 rushing yards in two games this preseason, including 196 yards in the first half last week when the starters and primary backups were on the field. They've experimented liberally with different personnel groupings. But when Saints backups run down your throats, flags go up. Prize free agent LB Chad Brown got stiff-armed to the ground and allowed long gains twice in the first quarter. As replacements for Tedy Bruschi and Ted Johnson, Brown and fellow free agent Monty Beisel have yet to instill confidence.
Green Bay Packers - QB Rotation: Brett Favre, rookie Aaron Rodgers, Craig Nall, J.T. O'Sullivan.
Craign Nall and J.T. O'Sullivan are locked in a battle for the third and final quarterback berth behind Favre and Rodgers. The team wants to see a little more of what Nall can do. In two preseason games as the first quarterback to enter the game behind Favre, Rodgers has completed 6-of-15 passes for 28 yards.
Secondary thin.
Even if TE Ben Steele's back/neck injury isn't serious, the Packers face problems without starter Bubba Franks in camp. Steele has been inconsistent and the Packers desperately need a receiving weapon at TE to make their offense work the way they want. Their other receiving TE David Martin has been sidelined by a groin injury and remains mired by inconsistency. Without Franks, Martin and Steele, the Packers were limited Saturday. "We have to get David Martin right now," OC Tom Rossley said.
Defense not 100%: Cletidus Hunt’s return date is up in the air because he still has swelling in his knee. Rookie LB Kurt Campbell was scheduled to have surgery to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament this week. Safety Mark Roman (hamstring), LB Na’il Diggs (knee) and DT Kenny Peterson (elbow) are ailing. Because of injuries, Donnell Washington and James Lee are expected to start at the defensive tackles, while Ahmad Carroll and Mike Hawkins are likely to start at the cornerbacks.
Jim Bates is the Packers new Defensive Coordinator, their third new one in three years. The defense is running more coverages than the basic two-deep scheme of a year ago.
Baltimore Ravens - QB Rotation: Kyle Boller, Anthony Wright, rookie Derek Anderson.
RB Jamal Lewis is expect to make this first start.
From last week's practice: "You can see it in coach Brian Billick's face at times. Three times QB Kyle Boller threw long TD passes, and twice he was intercepted for TDs. One of the interceptions was on a slant-in pass to Clarence Moore, a replay of the interception Boller threw against the Falcons. A lot of times Billick just shakes his head in approval or disappointment."
New Orleans Saints - QB Rotation: Aaron Brooks, Todd Bouman, Kliff Kingsbury, rookie Adrian McPherson.
Offensive line thin: The Saints are thin at tackle with backups Jon Stinchcomb and Spencer Folau injured, so guard/center Jamar Nesbit was asked to give right tackle a shot when the team returned to practice this week.
Defensive line thin: Starting strongside LB James Allen has missed most of camp with a bruised bone in his knee. Dtarting defensive tackle Brian Young left the Patriots game with a strained MCL in his knee.
NY Giants - QB Rotation: Tim Hasselbeck (1st Q+), Jesse Palmer (2nd Q+), Jared Lorenzen.
QB Eli Manning (elbow) will miss Friday's game against the Jets and that his status is week-to-week. QB Tim Hasselbeck figures to start in Manning's absence on Friday.
Revenge game? These teams scrimmaged two weeks ago and a lot of fierce words were said after the Jets hit harder than normal in a scrimmage.
NY Jets - QB Rotation: Jay Fiedler, Brooks Bollinger, Chad Pennington.
The Jets secondary is suddenly looking like a team strength with the addition of Ty Law, rookie CB Justin Miller, rookie safeties Kerry Rhodes and Andre Maddox and the emergence of first-year S Oliver Celestin. Second-year man Eric Coleman, a starter last season, and Celestin are the starters at safety. Celestin can also play some cornerback/nickel back.
Mike Heimerdinger, the former offensive coordinator with the Titans, is the new offensive coordinator.
Carolina Panthers - QB Rotation: Jake Delhomme, Chris Weinke, Rod Rutherford, rookie Stephan LeFlors.
Coach John Fox plans a similar QB rotation to last week. "The plan is we'll play the starters into the second quarter or maybe the whole second quarter, depending how the game goes," Fox said. "That goes for Game 3 and then we back off in the fourth one."
The Panthers ten straight exhibition wins came to an end last week.
Cleveland Browns - QB Rotation: Trent Dilfer, rookie Charlie Frye, Josh Harris, rookie Lang Campbell, Doug Johnson.
QB Doug Johnson didn't play last week because of a sore arm.
Cleveland's secondary took another hit when CB Gary Baxter left last week's game with a concussion. Cleveland started the game with three defensive backs inactive: Daylon McCutcheon (migraine headaches), Brodney Pool (concussion) and Michael Lehan (leg injury). The Browns signed Ray Mickens to a one-year deal Thursday, and he played against Detroit.
Cleveland has a new head coach in Romeo Crennel, who ran Bill Belichick's defense in New England the past five years. Crennel is switching Cleveland's defensive scheme to a 3-4. The new defense features not only a new scheme and coordinator, but six new starters in nose tackle Jason Fisk, RDE Alvin McKinley, LB Matt Stewart, RCB Gary Baxter and safeties Sean Jones and Brian Russell.
Arizona Cardinals - QB Rotation: Kurt Warner, Josh McCown, John Navarre, Chris Lewis.
Offensive line thin: Starting center Alex Stepanovich will be out for the rest of the month. Injuries to right tackle Oliver Ross (knee) forced Nick Leckey, a center, and Ian Allen to play on the front line. And Cardinals coach Dennis Green is giving rookie Elton Brown every chance to win the starting job at right guard. Rookie guard Elton Brown's debut was rough. He was part of a line that couldn't adjust to the blitz. Dennis Green said he was "absolutely" concerned about the offensive line's health and performance.
Oakland Raiders - QB Rotation: Kerry Collins, Marques Tuiasosopo, rookie Andrew Walter, David Rivers, Bret Engemann.
Rookie QB Andrew Walter (groin) is ailing.
WR Ronald Curry, who has been slowly strengthening his surgically repaired Achilles tendon, could make his exhibition debut Friday. WR Jerry Porter (hamstring) also is expected to return to full practices this week.
With P Shane Lechler likely unavailable the next couple of weeks, the Raiders have signed free-agent punter Bryce Benekos. He will back Gary Cook.
Lineup changes: The Raiders showed a 4-3 defensive front in their official starting lineup, with Bobby Hamilton and Tommy Kelly at the ends, but came out in the nickel. They quickly reverted back to a 4-3, with Derrick Burgess and Ed Jasper moving in and out of the starting base defense.
Tennessee Titans - QB Rotation: Steve McNair, Billy Volek, rookie Gino Guidugli.
Titans QB Steve McNair has come to camp roughly 25 pounds lighter than he was last season, helping his quickness.
Offensive line changes: With LT Brad Hopkins scheduled to serve a one-game suspension when the Titans play their regular season opener on Sept. 11 in Pittsburgh, the offensive line will get some extra valuable experience Friday in San Francisco. Rookie Michael Roos is expected to fill in for Hopkins, with Jacob Bell, David Stewart or Todd Williams in line to fill in at right tackle, the spot Roos is expected to occupy when Hopkins is on the field. The changes for offensive line coach Mike Munchak's unit could be especially tough because Pittsburgh has a 3-4 front, which is far less common than the 4-3 most teams run.
Norm Chow is the new offensive coordinator.
San Fran 49ers - QB Rotation: Rookie Alex Smith, Tim Rattay, Ken Dorsey, Cody Pickett.
The 49ers suffered a tragedy Saturday when rookie LB Thomas Herrion died after collapsing in the locker room after Saturday's game against the Broncos.
Offensive line thin: G David Baas (pulled hamstring) might miss training camp. C Jeremy Newberry (knee) is recovering from offseason surgery. LT Jonas Jennings (finger) and Justin Smiley (bruised left calf) are ailing. Baas' injury has the most impact. The second-rounder was expected to compete for a starting spot.
Secondary thin: CB Randee Drew has a stress fracture in his foot and is out indefinitely, CB Shawntae Spencer (hamstring) is ailing.
Mike Nolan is the new 49ers head coach (former defensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens).
SATURDAY'S GAMES 8/27/05
Tampa Bay Bucs - QB Rotation: Brian Griese, Chris Simms, Luke McCown.
Offensive line thin. The Bucs have had to scramble to put together a first and second unit for team drills. Though LT Derrick Deese (foot sprain) and Jeb Terry (knee sprain) will likely remain sidelined, LT Anthony Davis and LG Matt Stinchcomb are close to returning. "We need to get our starters back," Jon Gruden said. "I'd like to see our starting offensive line, whoever they are."
Miami Dolphins - QB Rotation: Gus Frerotte (first half), A.J. Feeley (3rd Q), Sage Rosenfels, Brock Berlin.
The Dolphins will prepare a more detailed plan for winning Saturday night's preseason home opener against Tampa Bay. "We'll put more preparation for this particular team," Nick Saban said. "I don't know how that will affect our ability to perform in the game. It will be interesting to see how we respond and play." Although plans have not been cemented, Saban has said he would likely let some starters play into the third quarter this game.
QB Gus Frerotte has essentially won the job over A.J. Feeley. Coach Nick Saban said. "Right now we feel that Gus Frerotte is a little bit ahead of A.J. Feeley, in terms of where we are from an offensive standpoint." Saban said the competition is by no means over, but he wants to give Frerotte a chance to develop chemistry with the rest of the first-team offense.
Offensive line thin. "We've had three games now, and we need to knock a hole in there more consistently so we have space to run the ball," Nick Saban said. "And we need to protect the quarterback more consistently."
RB Ronnie Brown is expected to play against Tampa Bay on Saturday.
Defensively, Miami has changed from a 4-3 to a 3-4.
Houston Texans - QB Rotation: David Carr (first half), Tony Banks (3rd Q), Dave Ragone, B.J. Symons, Preston Parsons (see below).
The Texans' starters will play more than they did in the loss to Denver or the victory over Oakland. "We've been looking at a lot of young players in our first two games, but in this game, we're going to play the starters a little longer and do more game-week preparation," coach Dom Capers said Sunday.
WRs thin: With WR Jabar Gaffney (shoulder) and Derick Armstrong (foot) sidelined because of injuries, the coaches got to look at Sloan Thomas, Reggie Swinton and Jerome Mathis. The Texans are looking for a receiver to take the heat off WR Andre Johnson.
Houston wants to improve its running game. In preseason games, they want to see RBs rookie Vernand Morency and Tony Hollings as much as possible.
Dallas Cowboys - QB Rotation: Drew Bledsoe, Drew Henson, Tony Romo.
Issues in the secondary: Parcells said he's not even close to deciding who will start at free safety. For now, Lynn Scott and Keith Davis are rotating at the position. CB Lance Frazier (sprained left ankle) is also ailing.
The defense is still adjusting to their new 3-4 defense. Putting pressure on the quarterback, however, is a problem. Parcells blamed it partly on the inability of rookie DE Demarcus Ware and the outside LBs to make the transition from run stopper to pass rusher.
Indianapolis Colts - QB Rotation: Peyton Manning, Jim Sorgi, Travis Brown.
Secondary is thin, and young. Indianapolis Colts free safety Bob Sanders strained a leg muscle Saturday. Colts coach Tony Dungy said that Sanders, the hard-hitting heart and soul of his secondary, will miss "a little bit of time." The Colts are already without starting strong safety Mike Doss, who has missed most of camp with a groin injury. Joe Jefferson has moved from cornerback to safety to replace Doss. Second-year man Bob Sanders is the other safety, and they have rookie Marlin Jackson.
Denver Broncos - QB Rotation: Jake Plummer, Bradlee Van Pelt, Matt Mauck, Danny Kanell.
Secondary thin. Safety Chris Young will miss the season (knee injury), CB Roc Alexander (hamstring) is ailing along with CB Champ Bailey (hamstring). The Broncos signed CB Rod Babers and told Curome Cox he would be moving to safety.
The offensive line, whose depth already had been depleted by the offseason injury to P.J. Alexander and retirement of backup center Josh Sewell, may need another preseason game or two before discovering its renowned run-blocking rhythms.
Seattle Seahawks - QB Rotation: Matt Hasselbeck, Seneca Wallace, rookie David Greene, Gilbran Hamdan.
K.C. Chiefs - QB Rotation: Trent Green, Damon Huard, rookie James Kilian.
With backup QB Todd Collins out with a fractured passing hand, Damon Huard inspired little confidence on Saturday that he could be a viable replacement if Chiefs starting QB Trent Green were to suffer an injury. Huard completed just one of 12 passes, with two interceptions and a sack in the Chiefs’ 24-17 loss to Arizona.
LB thin: LBs Kendrell Bell (shoulder) and Keyaron Fox (hamstring) are ailing.
Wide receivers thin.
Offensive line in transition: Will Shields, the longtime foundation of the Chiefs’ line, hasn’t been on the practice field because of a bad back. They also have a new starter at right tackle, though HC Vermeil is more confident that situation will resolve itself. The Chiefs are happy with Kevin Sampson, who will probably win the job over Jordan Black.
MONDAY'S GAME 8/29/05
St. Louis Rams - QB Rotation: Marc Bulger, Jamie Martin, Jeff Smoker, rookie Ryan Fitzpatrick.
With QB Jamie Martin slowed by a nagging groin injury last week, coach Mike Martz decided to rest him against the Chargers and give Jeff Smoker some work as the team's No. 2 quarterback. Smoker was unimpressive, completing one of three passes for 17 yards. Martz said Martin will play this weekend in Detroit.
Secondary thin.
Offensive line is still a work in progress. Sunday marked rookie OT Alex Barron's debut in a Rams uniform. He played the entire second half, but coach Mike Martz was underwhelmed with Barron's play. "He didn't do very well," Martz said.
Detroit Lions - QB Rotation: Joey Harrington, Jeff Garcia, rookie Dan Orlovsky.
Joey Harrington's performance in the first two exhibition games has removed any doubt that he is the starting quarterback. Jeff Garcia will remain the No. 2 quarterback.
Fullback Cory Schlesinger is out six to eight weeks with a fractured fibula.
Ted Tollner is the new offensive coordinator. |
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