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Hi Folks, Good Monday to you. We've had a full slate of preseason games under the belt and things are definitely shaking. We've got the News and Notes you'll want so let's get to it. JSITE NEWS A.
From The Gut Strategy Article
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. CHI - RB Jones Limps Off Jets Practice Field2. TEN - Titans QB Young Sidelined For Breaking Curfew 3. JAX - Jaguars Rookie WR Broussard Continues To Impress 4. MIA - Dolphins Starting LT Carey Hurts Knee; Should Be OK 5. TB - Buccaneers Looking To Add A Fullback 6. BUF - RB Jackson Shines In Preseason Game Against Saints 7. CIN - Filling RB Spot Tops List Of Bengals Concerns 8. CAR - Panthers HC Fox On Hot Seat? 9. HOU - Texans QB Schaub Unimpressive In Debut 10. DAL - WR Stanback Returns To Practice Field 11. CLE - Despite Miscues, QB Frye Gets Leg Up 12. MIA - QB Green Struggles In First Action As A Dolphin 13. CAR - Panthers New Zone Blocking Scheme Working Well 14. DEF - NE - Patriots, CB Samuel Remain At Stalemate 15. DEF - IND - Colts Proceeding With Caution With FS Sanders 16. DEF - ARZ - OLB Okeafor, OT Ross Could Be Out For Season CHI - RB Jones Limps Off Jets Practice Field Source: Associated Press, ESPN New York Jets starting RB Thomas Jones limped off the practice field after injuring his lower right leg Sunday. There was no immediate word on the severity of the injury, but it appeared to be either to his ankle or calf. Jones was untouched during running back drills when he went to plant his right foot and fell. He immediately took off his helmet and untied his shoe before he was examined by a trainer, who wrapped his lower right leg. He walked very gingerly, but was able to put weight on the leg. Jones also was clearly able to move his ankle. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Coach Mangini learned how to talk to the media regarding injuries from the master, Bill Belichick so it's not surprising we're not hearing much on this. It doesn't appear to be overly serious but we'll certainly be watching it for you. Jones is a guy that has battled injuries but also has proven to be one of the tougher RBs around fighting through issues. TEN - Titans QB Young Sidelined For Breaking Curfew Source: Jim Wyatt, Nashville Tennessean Tennessee Titans QB Vince Young watched as the Washington Redskins beat the Titans 14-6 at LP Field. Young did not play because he broke curfew by spending Friday night at home instead of at the hotel where the team stays during camp. One of the organizational policies is that players with less than four years experience are required to stay at the hotel. "I made a decision to not allow Vince to play in the ball game for violating a team rule, period. End of story,'' Coach Jeff Fisher said. "He will be back practicing Monday with his teammates. He is our starting quarterback and we like him. He is going to be a good quarterback. ... I am done talking about it.''[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] In the big picture, not a big deal. Young made a mistake and he paid a price for it. I'd seriously doubt he makes the mistake again and it was a chance for coach Fisher to lay down the law a little. Young will start next week and be fine. JAX - Jaguars Rookie WR Broussard Continues To Impress Source: Michael J. Wright, Florida Times-Union The Jacksonville Jaguars competition for roster spots at the receiver position continues to rage on, with rookie John Broussard still turning heads. He will likely earn a spot on the roster and his performance in the last two outings (including the scrimmage) may even warrant consideration as a regular contributor. Broussard finished with three catches for 66 yards against the Miami Dolphins. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I'm not sure there's a receiving corps in the league more up in the air than Jacksonville's. Earlier this year, the word was that last year's starters, Matt Jones and Reggie Williams were in danger of making the team, much less holding onto their starting jobs. Ernest Wilford and Dennis Northcutt are solid. Charles Sharon is getting lots of attention and rookie Mike "Sky" Walker is one of my personal favorites. Now Broussard's in the mix too. It's a jumbled bunch right now and hopefully we'll have some separation here soon. The good news is that Byron Leftwich has lots of good targets. MIA - Dolphins Starting LT Carey Hurts Knee; Should Be OK Source: Omar Kelly, South Florida Sun-Sentinel Miami Dolphins starting LT Vernon Carey injured his right knee in the first quarter of the Dolphins' 18-17 win over Jacksonville and never returned to the game. He suffered the injury blocking for tailback Ronnie Brown on a sweep to the left side. Carey was able to walk off the field on his own and rode a stationary bike on the sidelines for five minutes. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We'll keep an eye on this one for your but it looks Carey will be OK. As it is with any offensive line, the left tackle plays a key role and they need him healthy. TB - Buccaneers Looking To Add A Fullback Source: Bucs Beat, St. Petersburg Times With the loss of veteran Mike Alstott, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are working out several free-agent fullback prospects, including Jerald Sowell, who spent last season on Tampa Bay's roster. If a new fullback isn't signed, veteran RB Michael Pittman may slot into the role. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Alstott wasn't much of a fantasy football contributor but he was a significant part of the Tampa team from a real NFL angle. He'll be missed. BUF - RB Jackson Shines In Preseason Game Against Saints Source: Chris Brown, BuffaloBills.com RB Fred Jackson has not been in the spotlight during training camp behind 1st-round pick Marshawn Lynch, 4th-round pick Dwayne Wright and veteran RBs Anthony Thomas and Shaud Williams in the depth charts. But on Friday night Jackson was given the biggest on field opportunity in a game situation and he made the most of it leading the Bills in rushing with 49 on eight carries (6.1 avg.) and a touchdown. He also added a pair of receptions for good measure. "Just going in you have to know that opportunities are going to be limited so you just go out there and make the best of it," said Jackson. Head coach Dick Jauron was so taken by Jackson's performance he went out of his way to mention him in the opening comments of his postgame press conference. "I would be remiss if I didn't mention Freddie Jackson because he did stand out in that football game," Jauron said. "I think anybody that watched it would notice Fred Jackson, the effort he gave and the plays that he made were really good ones." Jackson recognizes that the Bills offensive backfield is loaded with talented and determined rushers, but he claimed they all set goals as a group. "We are a very competitive bunch and we love competing with each other," Jackson said. "It was just a night where we set goals to see what we could do."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Jackson won't have an impact with Buffalo this year barring injuries to the players above him on the depth charts but his performance is worth noting. It's still a good story though. CIN - Filling RB Spot Tops List Of Bengals Concerns Source: Mark Curnutte, Cincinnati Enquirer With rookie tailback Kenny Irons lost for the season with an ACL tear, the Cincinnati Bengals will take extended looks at Kenny Watson, Quincy Wilson and Curtis Brown in the remaining preseason games. The play of the backup quarterbacks has been underwhelming, so Carson Palmer had better remain healthy. The team's three rookie defensive backs - cornerback Leon Hall and safeties Marvin White and Chinedum Ndukwe - should become fine NFL players, but they are young and learning. Too much should not be expected too soon from the trio; there will be growing pains. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We think it'll be Kenny Watson backing up Rudi Johnson but we'll have to watch how it plays out over the next couple of weeks. Assuming Johnson stays healthy, it won't really matter too much though as Johnson is a workhorse. CAR - Panthers HC Fox On Hot Seat? Source: Ira Kaufman, Tampa Tribune Last year's 8-8 mark doesn't sit well with Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, especially with dynamic playmakers like WR Steve Smith and DE Julius Peppers anchoring both sides of the ball. QB Jake Delhomme, is no longer the only viable option at quarterback after bringing in free agent David Carr. Rumors are percolating in Charlotte of a return to coaching by Bill Cowher. The rumors are suggesting the ex-Steelers coach and Raleigh resident will replace John Fox and resurface with the Panthers in 2008 following a one-year hiatus. "That's part of the game, I don't blink at that," said Fox, 49-38 in Carolina since taking over a 1-15 team in 2002. "I've said to Jake that in this profession, we're under attack. That's why we get compensated like we do. You can't shy away from that."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I doubt that the Panthers would make a move here but if they did, there are teams that would like to have John Fox. I'd expect you'll see them rebound this year and for this talk to fade. HOU - Texans QB Schaub Unimpressive In Debut Source: USA Today QB Matt Schaub's first pass for the Houston Texans was for 2 yards. His second one was dropped. Schaub, who replaced David Carr after backing up Michael Vick for three years in Atlanta, had an inauspicious debut going 3-for-5 for 25 yards. On his second and last series, Schaub looked a bit better, finding Andre Johnson for a 15-yard gain and Owen Daniels up the middle for 8 yards. The Texans had to settle for a field goal that put them ahead 3-0 after Schaub overthrew a wide-open Kevin Walter in the end zone on third-and-4. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] It's tough to read too much into one preseason game. But it would have been nice to see Schaub look great. I still say I can't recall a player receiving this much hype after doing so little at this level. It's not quite Scott Mitchell like but it's still a little worrisome to me. I have a sneaking suspicion we see David Carr play well in Carolina and Matt Schaub doesn't look all that different than Carr did in Houston. Let's hope not though for the Texans' sake. DAL - WR Stanback Returns To Practice Field Source: Associated Press, ESPN Isaiah Stanback's conversion from college quarterback to NFL wide receiver has finally begun with the rookie making his practice-field debut with the Dallas Cowboys. Stanback is an intriguing enough athlete that the Cowboys used a fourth-round pick on him. Ultimately, HC Wade Phillips hopes to make Stanback a versatile threat in the mold of Hines Ward and Antwaan Randle El. That'll have to be down the road, though, because of his delayed start. "We're going to start at receiver and see what he can do," Phillips said. "I think he can do a lot of things. He's a really gifted athlete. ... That's why we drafted him." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Our reason for keeping an eye on Stanback is really more from an angle of what it could mean for QB Tony Romo. If he were to be used in special goal line packages, that could vulture a few TDs that Romo might have seen. Stay tuned. CLE - Despite Miscues, QB Frye Gets Leg Up Source: Associated Press, ESPN While rookie QB Brady Quinn remained on the sidelines, QB Charlie Frye got a leg up in the battle for the starting job in Cleveland. Frye completed 12 of 15 passes for 122 yards, but also botched a swing pass in the backfield that was returned 56 yards for a touchdown by Kansas City's Benny Sapp in the first half. Moments later, Frye's mismanagement of the clock in the closing seconds cost Cleveland points. Derek Anderson went 7-of-16 for 76 yards, underthrew several passes and never seemed to get into a rhythm. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] It's just one game though. Coach Romeo Crennel rotated QBs with alternating series which made it tough on both guys to get any kind of rhythm going. Next week we'll have a chance for Brady Quinn to show what he can do. The more I see of Anderson and Frye, the more I think Quinn may have a shot to play. If this team struggles as much as it looks like they may, the pressure will be on to see Quinn out there on the field. We'll see soon enough. MIA - QB Green Struggles In First Action As A Dolphin Source: Antonio Gonzalez, Associated Press, Lowell Sun Online Trent Green stepped onto the field as the Miami Dolphins new starting quarterback but left to boos and catcalls. Green struggled in his Dolphins debut, underthrowing receivers and managing just 60 yards on 6-for-15 passing with one interception. Green took every snap in the first half and led the Dolphins to just four first downs in six possessions. Miami coach Cam Cameron pinned much of the early woes on the offensive line. "He is still clever in the pocket," Cameron said. "We'll get our protection units squared away." [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This isn't a surprise as few 37 year old QBs improve at this point in their career. Green looks like a guy clearly on the steep downside of his career and I'm afraid things could get ugly in Miami for him. Boos after the first preseason game aren't exactly what Green was expecting. CAR - Panthers New Zone Blocking Scheme Working Well Source: Chris Smith, Footballguys.com The Carolina Panthers have moved from a power blocking scheme to a zone blocking scheme that appears to suit their personal along the offensive line. In the first test of the new system, the Panthers ran wild over the New York Giants. RB DeShaun Foster had 62 rushing yards on just 5 carries while RB Nick Goings had 50 rushing yards on 11 carries. Expect a much strong rushing effort from the Panthers in 2007. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Jeff Davidson is the new offensive coordinator in Carolina coming over from Cleveland and then New England prior to that. He appears to have the rushing game rejuvenated and DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams are hoping to benefit from that. It's dangerous to attach too much to one preseason game, but this was a nice start. DEF - NE - Patriots, CB Samuel Remain At Stalemate Source: Karen Guregian, Boston Herald Asante Samuel's absence from the New England Patriots training camp has now spilled over into preseason games. The cornerback, who led the league with 10 interceptions last season, remains in limbo, still unwilling to sign his one-year, $7.79 million franchise tender. Meanwhile, the Pats remain staunch in not wanting to surrender perhaps the one perk that would get him back in the fold: a promise not to franchise him in 2008. Most football insiders believe Samuel won't make good on his threat of sitting out until Week 10 of the regular season. The commonly held belief is that he'll return shortly before the third preseason game. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Count me in the group that thinks he'll be back in around the 3rd game. No way does Samuel leave that kind of money on the table. DEF - IND - Colts Proceeding With Caution With FS Sanders Source: Len Pasquarelli, ESPN Free safety Bob Sanders, the catalyst for the dramatic improvement of the Indianapolis defense versus the run in last year's playoffs, likely will not play until the third preseason game, as Colts officials continue to take a cautionary approach with the four-year veteran. Sanders, 26, is rehabilitating from a second straight offseason shoulder surgery. He has also been plagued by knee problems in the past, has been on the league's physically unable to perform list, and has not practiced yet in training camp. Coach Tony Dungy said that Sanders may begin practicing next week, but he probably will not play before the Aug. 25 exhibition matchup with Detroit. "We're kind of targeting the [third game] as far as getting him some game action," Dungy told local reporters.[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] It's been a while since I've seen one defensive player carry a defense like Sanders did last season. Especially with the loss of Booger McFarland, this team desperately needs Sanders on the field. Stay tuned. DEF - ARZ - OLB Okeafor, OT Ross Could Be Out For Season Source: Kent Somers, Arizona Republic The Arizona Cardinals starting OLB Chike Okeafor suffered a torn left bicep, and offensive RT Oliver Ross suffered a torn left tricep, according to a club official. Both players underwent MRIs on Sunday, which confirmed the tears. Both players are expected to seek second opinions, and if surgery is necessary, they likely will miss the rest of the season. Okeafor, who played the strong side, is a key part of the defensive plans for this year. He was having an excellent training camp. Ross was likely going to slot in as a backup with rookie Levi Brown starting. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Ross isn't a huge blow as he was likely going to be providing depth on the OL but Okeafor was going to be an important part of this defense. Let's see how the second opinions come back and then what kind of medical action is taken. That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great rest of your Monday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update. J |
