2011 Training Camp / Preseason Observations, News & Tidbits Thread (2 Viewers)

[Faust]

Observations on the Buccaneers

It looked a little bit like Josh Freeman turned into Drew Brees on Friday night.

Playing just a little more than a quarter, Freeman completed passes to seven different players as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers opened their preseason with a 25-0 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Freeman completed nine of 13 passes for 73 yards and also ran for a touchdown before leaving with the Bucs holding a 13-0 lead.

Some other observations on the Buccaneers.

[*]Tampa Bay’s defense had as much to do with the fast start as the offense. Rookie middle linebacker Mason Foster, who appears to be headed for a starting job, recovered a fumble to set up Freeman’s touchdown. On Kansas City’s next possession, safety Sean Jones recovered a fumble and the Bucs followed that up with a field goal. Tampa Bay’s second-team defense even recorded a safety late in the second quarter.

[*]Nice to see the Bucs throw a pass to running back LeGarrette Blount. They’ve talked about getting him more involved in the passing game. Looks like the Bucs are serious about that.

[*]Second-year receiver Dezmon Briscoe had four catches for 60 yards. The coaches have been high on Briscoe since late last season and he has a chance to open the season as the starter opposite Mike Williams. Arrelious Benn is coming off major knee surgery. Benn is progressing well, but the Bucs don’t want to rush him. With Briscoe, they might be able to buy Benn some more recovery time.

[*]Not a bad outing by backup quarterback Josh Johnson. His agent might want to copy the tape and ship it around the league because Johnson can become a free agent next season.

[*]The Bucs used their first two draft picks on defensive ends Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers in hopes of improving the pass rush. The rookies have yet to make an impact, but third-year defensive end Kyle Moore had two sacks and reserve linebacker Dekoda Watson had 1.5.

 

[Faust]

Observations on the Falcons

So far anyway, that trade up to get Julio Jones is looking pretty darn good for the Atlanta Falcons.

The rookie wide receiver had a great debut Friday night as the Falcons opened their preseason with a 28-23 loss to the Miami Dolphins. But Jones was instrumental to the Falcons jumping out to a 17-0 lead during the time when both teams were using many of their starters.

Jones, the sixth overall pick in the draft, made an immediate impact on Atlanta’s offense. Although the first team only played three series, Jones made two catches for 43 yards and also ran for 12 yards on a reverse. The Falcons weren’t trying to hide their regular-season plans for Jones. They opened the game with a pass intended for the rookie. That didn’t work, but just about everything else did.

Jones’ first catch came on a short drag route that turned into a 21-yard gain. He also caught a downfield pass from Matt Ryan. Jones earned first downs on his first three touches.

Some other observations on the Falcons.

[*]While much of the early talk will be about Jones, the Falcons showed signs they might be more explosive on defense. Defensive end John Abraham and cornerback Brent Grimes came up with interceptions early in the game.

[*]Ryan missed on his first four passes, but completed his next six. His final one was a bullet to Harry Douglas for a touchdown.

[*]Interesting that the Falcons went with John Parker Wilson as the second quarterback after Ryan. Chris Redman has been the backup.

The Falcons already know what they have in Redman, but he’s carrying a salary-cap figure that’s more than $3 million. If Wilson (12-of-19 for 111 yards with an interception) shows he’s ready to take a step up the ladder, Redman could be a cap casualty later in camp.

[*]Michael Turner ran well, but didn’t play long. It was interesting to see how quickly the Falcons got Jason Snelling on the field. He had missed a big chunk of training camp before re-signing with Atlanta. Looks like the coaching staff was trying to help Snelling make up for lost time.

[*]Defensive end Ray Edwards, the team’s biggest signing in free agency, did not play after an offseason knee operation. Kroy Biermann got the start in his place.

 

[Faust]

Bengals, Steelers Week 1 preseason recap

The Cincinnati Bengals and reigning AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers made their 2011 preseason debuts Friday.

Here are some observations:

Lions 34, Bengals 3

The Good

[*]Bengals running back Cedric Benson looked sharp. Benson rushed for 37 yards on six carries. The Bengals' offense will be leaning on Benson a lot this season, and he looks ready.

[*]Middle linebacker Rey Maualuga was active. He recorded five tackles and two tackles for a loss in limited action. Maualuga looks more comfortable moving inside. He played outside linebacker the past two seasons.

The Bad

[*]It was a rough debut for rookie quarterback Andy Dalton. His first throw against Detroit was intercepted. His second throw sailed wide on third down. Dalton's third pass attempt resulted in a sack. He didn't do much against Detroit's first team but moved the ball some against Lions' backups. Dalton showed decent accuracy. He finished 11-of-15 for 69 yards and an interception. But the rookie still has a lot of work ahead.

[*]The Bengals didn't look ready to play. That was the most concerning thing. Detroit came out with a lot of energy and pounded Cincinnati on offense, defense and special teams. The Bengals' offense struggled to move the football. Their special teams fumbled the first kickoff and missed a field goal. The defense didn't stop the bleeding by allowing two early touchdowns. Detroit led 24-3 at halftime.

Redskins 16, Steelers 7

The Good

[*]Pittsburgh backup running back Isaac Redman continued his good summer. Redman led the Steelers with 42 rushing yards on five carries. He had a nice 22-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Redman is having a great training camp and he is firmly entrenched as Pittsburgh's No. 2 running back behind starter Rashard Mendenhall.

[*]Backup receiver Antonio Brown led the Steelers with four receptions for 64 yards. Brown came on strong late last season. He continued that momentum Friday. His longest catch was for 29 yards. Brown is competing for the No. 3 receiver job with veteran free-agent signing Jerricho Cotchery.

The Bad

[*]The Steelers failed to avoid injuries. No. 1 cornerback Ike Taylor hurt his thumb against Washington. Steelers president Art Rooney II told Pittsburgh station KDKA that Taylor's thumb is broken. Teammate and safety Ryan Clark also suffered a stinger and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger appeared to have a minor hand injury.

[*]The Steelers didn't do anything to calm concerns about their pass defense. Starting corner Bryant McFadden didn't play and Taylor was injured in the game. But Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman had a lot of success through the air against Pittsburgh. He was 19-of-26 for 207 yards and a touchdown. Grossman had a 109 passer rating.

 

[Faust]

Observation deck: Redskins-Steelers

We knew earlier in the week that Rex Grossman was a confident quarterback, when he said he expected the Washington Redskins to win the NFC East this season. Friday night, in Washington's 16-7 preseason victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Grossman played like a confident quarterback. He looked cool and in control, playing the first half behind a surprisingly sound offensive line and going 19-for-26 for 207 yards and a touchdown.

Now, the first reaction will be to say that Grossman has seized the lead over John Beck, who missed the game with a groin injury, in the competition for the Redskins' starting quarterback job. But I'm not sure it's that simple. The Redskins' coaches believe Grossman can run their offense as well as, if not better than, Donovan McNabb did in 2010. They believe he's competent as can be, and nothing he did Friday night showed them anything they didn't already know about Grossman. The reason this is a competition at all is that Mike Shanahan and Kyle Shanahan believe Beck has more upside and athleticism. They want to see how Beck handles himself against hostile competition, under the bright lights in a situation with something (i.e., the starting quarterback job) on the line. The groin injury robbed them of that chance this week, and they'll hope they can get him in there next week so the competition can begin for real.

What Grossman's performance did Friday was maybe allow the Shanahans to sleep a little bit more easily. What they saw reinforced what they thought things would look like if they ended up going with Grossman. But as far as the Grossman-Beck competition is concerned, I'm not sure it's really started yet.

A few more observations from Washington's surprisingly impressive effort in its first preseason game:

1. Ryan Kerrigan can contribute right away. The first-round draft pick is still getting up to speed, as a leg injury cost him several early training-camp practices. And he will need to continue to work on his coverages and get used to playing on two feet as a linebacker rather than out of the three-point stance in which he played as a defensive end at Purdue. But Kerrigan can rush a passer. He showed that several times, making his way swiftly into the backfield from the side opposite Brian Orakpo and getting hits on Steelers running backs and quarterbacks. He may not be a fully finished NFL product by Week 1, but the Redskins can start him at outside linebacker if they want to and just send him after quarterbacks all night, and they'll get plenty of value out of that.

2. Tim Hightower will be the starting running back as long as he holds onto the football. Mike Shanahan thought he got a steal when he acquired Hightower in a trade with Arizona during training camp's first week. You saw Hightower look good running the ball, but what really jumps out to Shanahan is the help Hightower can provide in the passing game -- as a receiver and as a blocker. Ryan Torain will still get a long look once he gets back from his hand injury, but Hightower is the clear leader to be the starting running back in Week 1.

3. Lots of Evan Royster. Once Hightower was out of the game, the rookie running back who got the vast majority of touches was Royster, not Roy Helu. Helu didn't get a carry until there were about eight minutes left in the third quarter, and the work he got at that point seemed to be aimed at getting a breather for Royster, who came right back in. As Rich Campbell, the fine Redskins beat writer for the Washington Times, pointed out on Twitter, Shanahan likes to give running backs "whole games" to allow them to establish rhythm before he evaluates them. Did the same thing, Campbell says, last season with Willie Parker and Larry Johnson. By that logic, we should expect to see a preseason game at some point in which Helu gets a ton of carries. Helu looked explosive in the fourth-quarter action he saw, and I'm sure they're eager to take a longer look at him.

4. Trouble in the secondary? There were a couple of first-half plays on which Steelers receivers got well past Redskins cornerbacks and would have had big plays if the passes hadn't been overthrown. Some of the secondary problems could have to do with communication issues, since both starting safeties were out with injuries. But newcomer Josh Wilson bears watching at corner as the preseason goes along.

5. Mixed results on the defensive line. I thought there were times when it got pushed around, but the defensive line had its moments. Kerrigan's tackle of Mewelde Moore on that third-and-two probably wouldn't have happened if new nose tackle Barry Cofield hadn't gotten quick penetration and held his spot. Moore ran right into Cofield a split-second before Kerrigan grabbed him. Rookie Jarvis Jenkins also was able to produce some pressure, Stephen Bowen sacked Byron Leftwich and there were plenty of early plays on which the line cleared room for a fired-up London Fletcher to get into the backfield and make plays.

6. Veteran receivers. Whoever the quarterback is, they'll be happy to have Santana Moss and Jabar Gaffney, two professional, veteran route-runners. The young receivers? Meh. Niles Paul made a nice play. Aldrick Robinson kept dropping the ball on kick returns. And Leonard Hankerson had a bad drop, which only matters because that's the thing about him that everybody's watching. The drops.

7. A good night for Graham Gano. While the quarterback competition may not have begun yet, the kicker competition may be over. Newcomer Shayne Graham missed badly from 29 and 49 yards. Gano made his two field goals from 32, 34 and 45. Maybe they brought in Graham just to pressure Gano into doing better, but he didn't exert much pressure Friday, and Gano looked fantastic.

All in all, if you hadn't been following any of the preseason coverage, you'd have tuned in Friday night and thought the Redskins looked pretty sharp. Keep in mind: This is a rebuilding team. So good signs from Friday night can be good signs for the future even if they don't end up portending anything great for 2011. As for 2011 ... One thing they'll almost certainly be able to do is beat outside expectations. Remains to be seen, of course, if they have any chance of living up to Grossman's.

 

[Faust]

Titans camp report: Work in progress on both sides of ball

Observation deck

1. Jake Locker has lucked out. Needing time to develop, Locker landed in the right spot. Matt Hasselbeck will lead the team and mentor Locker until he's ready. Locker said he is learning all the little details of the position as well as the study habits and techniques he needs from the veteran. Hasselbeck said he really enjoys helping Locker, whom he truly likes, and he doesn't seem very threatened by Locker's presence on the roster. Hasselbeck is doing a very good job of trimming the amount of words the quarterbacks need to say to get the play called and that is really helping Locker become comfortable in the huddle.

2. The Titans are set at corner, but what about the pass rush? It was clear at practice that Cortland Finnegan, Jason McCourty and Alterraun Verner are very capable cornerbacks. That means the Titans will be a good nickel secondary, but is the pass rush there? They have to find a way to make up for the 17 sacks that Jason Babin, Tony Brown and Stephen Tulloch generated last year; all three are no longer with the team. Derrick Morgan, who only played four games in his rookie season before going down with a serious knee injury, Jason Jones and ex-Chief Shaun Smith all have to deliver. That's a tall order and this team may have to blitz more than they have in the past, especially against division opponents like Indianapolis and Houston.

3. The wide receiver group needs a leader. The Titans need consistent play out of their wideouts to move forward as an offense. Hasselbeck told me he really likes Kenny Britt, who new head coach Mike Munchak thinks has a chance to be a true No. 1 wide receiver that forces double coverage. The current No. 2, Nate Washington, caught just one touchdown pass in six division games. It's time for Damian Williams to step up. Physically, the second year wide receiver looks ready to take the next step after catching 16 passes as a rookie. Marc Mariani could be a factor, since he'll be active on game days as a returner. This might be an area where the club looks to the free-agent market in the next week or two.

4. Munchak is cleaning up the locker room. The former offensive line coach took over head-coaching duties from Jeff Fisher, who left the organization in the offseason after 16 years at the helm. Munchak wasted no time making his mark in the locker room. "We got rid of hats in the building, loud music in the locker room, head phones in the weight room," Munchak said. "We did it to focus better on the daily responsibilities and establish some discipline." The players I talked to seemed to be OK with the new rules. Many admitted to me that it was about time.

New guy watch

» Akeem Ayers. The rookie linebacker from UCLA has created quite a buzz after stepping right into the starting lineup as the Sam linebacker. As one defensive player said about Ayers: "He is playing like a guy that has been in pro football for a few years." Ayers has pass rush skills and could be an excellent blitzer to go along with his linebacker duties.

» Derrick Morgan. While not technically a new player, Morgan is like a having a first-round pick all over again for the Titans, who only got four games from him as a rookie. Munchack was quick to point out Morgan worked very hard at his rehab during the offseason, which was extra tough because the club couldn't have contact with him. Titans All-Pro left tackle Michael Roos told me Morgan has looked good in one-on-one pass-rush situations. GM Mike Reinfeldt said, "Morgan doesn't want to take a minute off during practice. We have to be smart with his return but he does look good."

Overheard

"We want him in camp and when he does we are prepared to offer him a deal to make him the highest-paid running back in the NFL. He doesn't have to practice until the deal is done, but he needs to learn the new offense. Mike was clear with me that he is ready to negotiate if and when Johnson shows up but I think the negotiations may have to happen before the great running back even shows up."

--Reinfeldt on Chris Johnson

Prediction

The Titans lost four defenders that accounted for 330 tackles and 17.0 sacks in 2010. The defense did pick up a few guys like Barrett Ruud, Shaun Smith and Jordan Babineaux. They will be asked to duplicate their levels of production in recent seasons. Right now, I see the Titans as a work in progress with an outside chance at eight wins.

 

[Faust]

Williams quickly eliminating doubts about switch to linebacker

Observation deck

1. Mario Williams looks natural at outside linebacker. I had some doubts about the Texans' decision to move Williams to linebacker, especially at his size, but coach Gary Kubiak gave an honest assessment of the situation.

"We're not trying to fool anyone that Mario is going to be in coverage a lot," Kubiak said. "He's rushing the passer."

After watching a 2 1/2-hour practice and talking with the people that have to block Williams, any doubts about his transition are gone.

"Now he gets a running start at you, explodes into you and then makes his move," offensive tackle Eric Winston said of Williams. "He's harder to block now than ever before."

Defensive end Antonio Smith added, "Mario now realizes that he can bull rush anybody, and he's playing like a guy that can dominate every play."

2. Owen Daniels is having a great camp. Andre Johnson said Daniels is having his best camp with the Texans. Matt Schaub explained that a healthy Daniels really takes some pressure off Johnson by splitting the safeties in the passing attack. Daniels said that he's more than a year removed from his injuries and feels quicker than ever. This looks like it could be a Pro Bowl season for the veteran tight end.

3. The offense is ready to play a real game. The Texans were able to send three different offensive groups on the field for a live two-minute drill. Even the third unit, led by rookie QB T.J. Yates, looked in control of the package. Schaub was quick to point out that everyone is back on offense except fullback Vonta Leach. Leach's replacement, Lawrence Vickers, has picked things up quickly.

4. More to come from Arian Foster. In talking with the running back, Foster said the sky is the limit for the offense. Don't forget, along with leading the league in rushing last year, he also caught 66 passes and it looks like the Texans are expanding his role in the passing game.

New guys to watch

» J.J. Watt. Immediately put on the first-team defense, Watt told me he needed to prove to his teammates through hard work and production that he belonged. According to Smith, who plays the opposite defensive end, "J.J. can do it, he's doing it every practice and he makes us better."

» Brooks Reed. Has not established the reputation that Watt has, but Reed is viewed as a high-energy guy who is learning a new defense. The 3-4 scheme being installed by coordinator Wade Phillips is going to need outside linebackers who can rush the passer. At this point, Reed is one injury away from having to deliver. Keep a close eye on Reed this preseason. There's cautious optimism that he'll contribute this season.

» Johnathan Joseph. Not new to the NFL, of course, but Joseph is a welcomed addition. Kubiak said Joseph came right in and became the leader of a secondary that lacked an identity last year. Johnson said that Joseph pushes him in every practice. Another player told me, "Andre isn't used to having a teammate challenge him that much in practice and it's good for him."

Overheard

1. I talked with owner Bob McNair, who has expectations the franchise will have its best year yet. As McNair said, "We have the talent and now is the time."

2. Kubiak on leadership, "I'm looking for guys to take over when the leaders are down. We had an example of that today when Johnathan Joseph didn't practice and someone from the secondary had to step up and they didn't do a good job of it."

Prediction

For the past three seasons, the prediction was it's the year Houston goes to the playoffs. Of course, it never happened. This year, there is a lot less talking and a lot less media attention, both good things. The Texans are more concerned about getting the job done than talking about it. They have the talent to win 10 games, but depth could be an issue if injuries occur. The offense will score and the defense will be better, but how much? There's a realistic chance the Texans will be a wild-card team this year.

 

[Faust]

Postcard from camp: Texans

Excerpts:

Three Observations

1. Arian Foster's body is not yet as willing as his mind. In the offseason the third-year back bid to strengthen his qi -- the mind-body energy flow at the foundation of much of Chinese medicine and philosophy -- in weekly yoga sessions (looking most to perfect his breathing) and through a summer reading list that includes Sun Tzu's The Art of War. While a hamstring injury has kept Foster from showcasing his physical dividends, he left no doubt about his stoutness of mind in conversation. Hint that he might be foolish for not holding out for a deal that more closely matches his league-leading rushing production in '10, and he'll scoff, "Who is your demographic?" and then quote you an income figure for the average American family. Solicit his take on the parallel predicament of the Titans' Chris Johnson (who has taken a more hard-lined negotiation tack), and Foster will tell you, "I think Chris Johnson is a grown man and he needs to do whatever is best for him and his family." Ask why it's more important for him to go into a game relaxed (specifically, with Janelle Monae's The Archandroid bumping on his iPod) as opposed to fired up, and he'll paraphrase, "an old proverb that says if you can control your breathing you can have the strength of 10 tigers." Count me among the eager pre-order customers for Foster's post-retirement book: Zen and the Art of Media Cycle Maintenance.

2. The defense is getting after it. Granted, defense usually has the early leg-up on offense in camp. But this group had an unmistakable hop in its step. It was more than just players flying around the ball; it was the types: You had DBs shooting running gaps, defensive ends jumping passing lane and linebackers marauding inside the hashes. There was even one genuinely scary moment when safety Maurice Rolle collided with fellow rookie Terrence Toliver over the middle, but both walked off unhurt. There's no question switching to a 3-4 scheme and importing intense leaders to the secondary such as corner Johnathan Joseph, safety Danieal Manning and coach Vance Joseph has brought much-needed swagger to this group. "The pass breakups, the interceptions, the hands on balls -- I've never seen as many as this year, and Coach Kubiak has pointed that out as well," said third-year linebacker Brian Cushing. "We felt very liable for a lot of the game's last year. Now, we're starting with a clean slate, a whole new outlook." Yeah, a scary one.

3. Matt Leinart may turn out to be a great player yet. The fifth-year vet had considered reuniting with former USC coach Pete Carroll in Seattle, where he'd have a good chance of becoming a starter again. But in the end he decided to re-sign with Houston as a backup because the offense here fits him so well. That much was obvious in his practices with the second string, which have been starter-level crisp -- a veritable clinic in sound mechanics, sure decision-making and accurate passing. The display is a testament to the work Leinart put in back in his native California and to a system that plays to his strengths as mover in the pocket. At Arizona, Leinart said, "we were more spread out -- four wides, three wides, get the ball out quick. Here, there's more play-action under center. It's a lot more stuff that fits my style." Leinart isn't threatening Matt Schaub's job, but he gives the Texans one heck of an insurance policy.

Step on Up

Mario Williams, outside linebacker. After years of terrorizing passers as a defensive end, the top pick in the 2006 draft moves up a level in Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme. For Williams, the transition brings technique changes like standing up instead of starting from a three-point stance. (The sight alone of the 6'6," 290-pounder bearing down on the line of scrimmage isn't for the feint of heart or fair of pants.) But otherwise, the overall mission remains the same: sack up. And Phillips' defense has a knack for manufacturing league leaders of that sort like DeMarcus Ware, whom Williams spent time studying during the offseason. Which of Ware's skills would Williams most like for himself? "How he gets off [the line] and how his two-point stance allows him to be fluid off the ball for such a tall guy," Williams said. "I was really looking at stuff like whether he leans in a little more, or how he turns his feet before he takes off. Looking at those fundamentals helped out."

New Face, New Place

Wade Phillips, defensive coordinator. What does it say about the NFL's biggest intrastate rivalry (because, you know, everything's bigger in Texas) that the Texans would stoop to bringing in a former Cowboy to them help get into the playoffs? That question got a chuckle out of Phillips. "They brought in a former Cowboy," he said. "But they also brought in a former Charger, a former Eagle, a former Falcon and a former Oiler. I've been a few formers." Part of the reason Phillips keeps having to find new employment is the fact that he's never won a playoff game in four attempts as a head coach. What makes him such an attractive job candidate is that he knows how to get there -- and fast. Of Phillips' 11 career playoff appearances, seven have come in his first season with teams. For the Texans, who have yet to crash the postseason party, merely showing up could be enough to guarantee Phillips gold-watch job security.

Looking at the Schedule

Early games against pass-happy teams like Indianapolis and at New Orleans don't bode well for a secondary that's still congealing, and North division clashes against Pittsburgh and at Baltimore will take a toll on the offense. But if the Texans hover above .500 through their Week 11 bye, the South will be there for the taking.

 

[Faust]

Early take on Newton and Clausen

It’s safe to assume Ron Rivera isn’t going to decide on a starting quarterback Saturday night, Sunday or any time soon.

That’s probably the smartest move the new coach of the Carolina Panthers can make. He needs to let the competition between No. 1 overall draft pick Cam Newton and second-year pro Jimmy Clausen play out and unfold naturally. There will be an obvious answer, but it’s not apparent just yet.

Clausen almost made it easy for the Panthers to just hand the job straight to Newton when he was intercepted on the third offensive snap of Saturday night’s exhibition with the New York Giants. In a scene straight out of his disastrous rookie year, Clausen threw a pass to a receiver (DeAngelo Williams) who wasn’t facing the ball and linebacker Michael Boley, who never has been accused of being a playmaker, intercepted it and returned it for a touchdown.

But Clausen bounced back, later connecting with tight end Greg Olsen on a touchdown pass. Clausen also showed some savvy, once wisely throwing the ball away when everyone was covered and getting away from pressure a couple of times.

Clausen played the first quarter and completed four of seven passes for 61 yards. Newton took over at the start of the second quarter to loud cheers from the crowd in Bank of America Stadium.

Newton was far from perfect, but he didn’t have any disastrous plays like Clausen’s interception. He never looked lost and he also flashed some big-play ability. The numbers (eight of 19 for 134 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions) weren’t spectacular, but there were memorable strong throws to Olsen and Armanti Edwards.

There were several times when Newton made good throws that were disrupted by good coverage. But, keep in mind, Newton was playing with second- and third-team wide receivers, who had trouble getting separation from defensive backs and Edwards didn’t help when he failed to hold onto a nice pass from Newton in the third quarter.

Give Newton a healthy Steve Smith, who sat out with an injured finger and the results might have been spectacular. Newton, who played into the fourth quarter, didn’t have the luxury of playing with running backs Williams and Jonathan Stewart and played behind backups on the offensive line.

Rivera has plenty to think about that as he reviews the film and ponders who will start next week’s game at Miami and who will start the regular-season opener at Arizona.

My thought, at least so far, is the Panthers should go with Newton. He has way more upside than Clausen. Plus, as Clausen’s interception suggested, Newton might not have as much downside.

 

[Faust]

Browns Week 1 preseason observations

CLEVELAND -- The Pat Shurmur era began for the Browns Saturday night with a 27-17 victory over the Green Bay Packers.

Here are some observations:

The Good

[*]Browns quarterback Colt McCoy was sharp. He led two touchdown drives for the first-team offense in the first half. McCoy made several nice throws, which included a rope over the middle to tight end Ben Watson and a 27-yard touchdown pass to receiver Josh Cribbs. This was a very good start for McCoy's 2011 season. He finished 9 of 10 for 135 yards and a touchdown. "I thought he was pretty sharp," Shurmur said of McCoy. "He executed well. He was pretty efficient with his throws."

[*]Cleveland's pass rush looked improved. Defensive ends Jayme Mitchell and Marcus Bernard were among the Browns who recorded a sacks. Cleveland had four quarterback sacks total. Brian Smith's sack and forced fumble in the third quarter also led to a 43-yard fumble return for a touchdown by linebacker Titus Brown.

[*]Overall, it was a solid coaching debut for Shurmur. The offensive play-calling made sense and gave that side of the ball confidence. The Browns also came out with energy and effort, which is what you look for this time of year. These are good things the Browns can build on in the preseason.

The Bad

[*]Cleveland's first-team defense still needs work. The Browns drew a tough assignment with Green Bay's offense. They held the Packers to a three-and-out on the opening drive. But Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers got hot and led a seven-play, 73-yard drive on his second try. Cleveland's second-team defense also gave up 10 points in the second quarter against Green Bay's second-team offense.

[*]Browns backup quarterback Seneca Wallace was inconsistent. He threw for 99 yards, one interception and had a 55.8 passer rating. Wallace is a nine-year veteran and knows this West Coast offense well. He also went against Green Bay's backups Saturday night and didn't have his best game.

 

[Faust]

Observations on the Panthers

Now we know for sure that John Fox no longer is coaching the Carolina Panthers.

If you saw their preseason opener (a 20-10 victory against the New York Giants) on Saturday night, there was plenty of evidence.

There was offensive creativity. There were passes to the tight end. Young quarterbacks were allowed to take shots down the field and not forced to play like each mistake would be their last. Oh, and we also saw quite a bit of Armanti Edwards.

All of the above were either illegal or heavily frowned up on in the Fox regime. Under Ron Rivera, they all are encouraged.

We still don’t know for sure if Cam Newton or Jimmy Clausen will open the season as the starting quarterback, but we do know whoever wins that competition might actually have a chance. Clausen and Carolina’s offense had no chance last season as Fox took conservative offense to a whole new level.

In new coordinator Rob Chudzinski’s system, it’s pretty obvious the Panthers are going to use their tight ends a lot and, once Steve Smith gets back from an injury, they could have a deep passing game.

Heck, Edwards could even be a part of the deep passing game. The wide receiver, who Fox refused to play as a rookie, caught a 36-yard pass from Newton to help set up a field goal late in the first half. More importantly, Edwards had two very impressive punt returns.

Some other observations on the Panthers.

[*]Without Smith and David Gettis, who will miss the season with a knee injury, the wide receivers had trouble getting separation from defensive backs. Smith’s return will help and we all know what he can do, but the Panthers need someone else to step up on the outside.

[*]Newly-acquired tight end Greg Olsen got off to a very nice start. He had three catches for 58 yards and caught a touchdown from Clausen. Olsen’s performance brought back memories of Wesley Walls and Jeremy Shockey's going to get his share of passes.

[*]Speaking of tight ends, Gary Barnidge, who currently is No. 4 on the depth chart, is helping his cause. He had a nice game and could challenge Ben Hartsock for the third tight end job.

[*]Running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart only made cameo appearances, but both ran well. As much as we talk about the new offensive scheme, Williams and Stewart are too good for the Panthers to go too far away from the running game.

[*]Speaking of running back, Mike Goodson has plenty of talent and he showed it last season when Williams and Stewart were banged up. But Goodson had trouble holding onto the ball Saturday night. He’s not going to earn playing time if that continues.

[*]There’s strong competition for the backup spots in the defensive secondary. A couple of young guys who helped themselves with good performances were R.J. Stanford and Jordan Pugh.

[*]Derek Anderson, who was brought in to provide a veteran presence for Newton and Clausen, connected with rookie Kealoha Pilares on a fourth-quarter touchdown pass. It was a short throw and Pilares took off down the sideline. Pilares also had a nice tackle on the punt coverage unit early in the game.

 

[Faust]

Thoughts on Titans, Colts on Saturday

We bounced between the Titans-Vikings and Colts-Rams games Saturday night on the Internet, trading focus on one in exchange for a sense of both.

A quick reaction to each …

Tennessee Titans 14, Minnesota Vikings 3

Significant action for a first-round rookie quarterback before halftime is about as interesting a thing as there can be in the preseason, and Jake Locker relieved Matt Hasselbeck early and played to the half.

Locker was solid. A miscommunication on one throw to Marc Mariani left me wondering if the receiver broke the wrong way or the quarterback threw to the wrong spot. But even when Locker dropped a snap, good things happened for him. He picked the ball up, moved to his right and found Yamon Figurs for a 45-yard touchdown.

Locker made several good throws and reacted well to pressure, finishing 7-for-10 for 89 yards and the score. The Titans didn’t give the ball away, took it away twice, minimized the miscues and didn’t suffer badly for them.

So in Mike Munchak’s first preseason game at a head coach, the Titans showed the sort of discipline and poise he and his staff have preached. They’ll find plenty to pick apart but plenty to build on too. They had to be pleased overall.

St. Louis Rams 33, Indianapolis Colts 10

With Peyton Manning on the sideline in street clothes, the Colts saw Curtis Painter start and Dan Orlovsky play the bulk of the game. Painter threw one pick, and Orlovsky two, helping position the Rams for short, easy scoring drives. St. Louis scored on seven of its first nine possessions.

Indianapolis doesn’t typically put a lot of emphasis on preseason results and the Colts got little going on either side of the ball.

Twelve first downs, just 10 pass completions and only two third-down conversions are hardly numbers the Colts will be happy about as they rehash the game in the offensive meetings rooms.

The defense was put in bad spots by the turnovers and was on the field for 34:18. Rams starting quarterback Sam Bradford had time to make decisions unhurried and St. Louis quarterbacks were not sacked.

But the Colts will hardly pull out any hair over how things went -- a veteran team is used to such results in the preseason, and minus Manning it was hardly a surprise.

 

[Faust]

Observation deck: Giants-Panthers

The New York Giants could have used a feel-good preseason opener Saturday night. No, I don't think you can read much into these preseason games. You don't know which teams are game-planning and which aren't. You can make judgments on individual efforts in certain cases, and get a sense of what teams might be planning in terms of playing time and defensive and offensive alignments. But when we say a team looked good or bad in a preseason game, we are not making any predictions or judgments about the way the season will go based on that.

All of that said, after a week in which they got knocked around in free agency and faced questions about whether their offseason plan was sound or even extant, the Giants could have used a match that left them feeling good about things. Kind of like the one the Redskins had Friday.

They didn't get it.

Yeah, some good things happened in their 20-10 exhibition loss to the Carolina Panthers. Jason Pierre-Paul was the star of the first half, looking fast, athletic and hungry as he recorded two sacks. Both punters looked good, third receiver candidates Domenik Hixon and Victor Cruz had nice moments, and Michael Boley ran back an interception for a touchdown on the first series of the game. But all in all, it wasn't a good night. There were tackling issues, communication issues and special teams issues. The backup offensive line was so bad that it may have gotten kicker Lawrence Tynes hurt.

Other than the Tynes thing, none of this is cause for any reason concern. Just because they were sloppy Saturday night doesn't mean anything about the season. I'm just saying, given the way their fans were feeling in the wake of the free-agent departures of Steve Smith, they could have used a better performance.

Here's some stuff I saw:

1. Pierre-Paul looks like a monster. The Giants' 2010 first-rounder has been getting a lot of snaps with the starters in practice with Osi Umenyiora sitting out, and he looked fantastic Saturday night. Two sacks, pressure on almost every play, quickness off the edge, athleticism, determination -- everything you want in a pass rusher. If Umenyiora wants to continue to sit out because of his contract, the Giants have some tape they can show him of a guy who looks like a very capable replacement. If Umenyiora wants to come back, the Giants have even more depth on the offensive line and can keep Mathias Kiwanuka at linebacker. Pierre-Paul's rapid development would be a very useful thing for the Giants.

2. Other good stuff from the defensive line. We saw encouraging play from the defensive tackles, too, with Chris Canty getting into the backfield, Rocky Bernard getting a sack, rookie Marvin Austin playing well in the second half and the Giants generally producing a lot of pressure with their defensive front. As expected, they moved Kiwanuka up to the line in passing downs, and they did the same thing with Adrian Tracy when he replaced Kiwanuka in the second quarter. Tracy played well, helping generate the pressure that led to the Bernard sack as well as Alex Hall's. The Giants are looking for depth at linebacker, and Tracy could help if he plays like this.

3. The punters look good. The coverage? Not so much. Matt Dodge hit a couple of nice punts, including one that looked a little bit like a Jeff Feagles directional special. But Steve Weatherford was one of the best punters in the league the last couple of years and hits the ball farther than Dodge does. Could be tough for Dodge to win this competition. And regardless of who wins it, the coverage team will just have to do a better job. This is one area that actually does mean something in preseason, because the guys on special-teams coverage units should be playing hard and trying to win roster spots. They were miserable all night until Cruz came up with a big solo tackle on a punt return in the third quarter. A guy like Michael Coe, who has an opportunity with the Giants losing so much depth at cornerback, needs to come up bigger than he did on Armanti Edwards' long first return.

3a. Also, one punt-related question: Why in the world did Tom Coughlin call for a 56-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter when Tynes is coming off knee surgery and he's trying to get a look at two punters? Just wondering. Seemed like a weird decision. Tynes, who is also the only kicker I've seen so far this preseason who hasn't been able to kick it through the end zone on kickoffs, missed the attempt.

4. William Beatty -- some good, some bad: The new starting left tackle got manhandled a bit on the first two offensive series, looking overwhelmed and doing a lot of reaching and grabbing as he was getting beaten off the edge. But he seemed to settle in and looked much more authoritative and aggressive on the next few series. He stayed in longer than did the other starting offensive linemen, and it's no coincidence. Whether Beatty is ready to handle his new full-time job will go a long way toward determining how well the Giants handle their transition to this new offensive line assignment.

5. Brian Witherspoon was a bright spot. The Giants' starting secondary looks as though it should be very good (though there did seem to be some communication issues there early on). The question is whether they have depth behind the starters, with Prince Amukamara and Bruce Johnson hurt. Witherspoon was a star of the second half on special teams as well as at cornerback. A guy to watch as the preseason rolls along.

6. Quick hits: It was fun to watch top draft pick Cam Newton get his first game action for the Panthers. He beat Giants rookie Tyler Sash with a great throw on his first drive, but Sash and Coe made good plays to help keep him from capping that drive with a touchdown pass. ... It appears as though Hixon is the leader for that No. 3 receiver spot. He got a lot of work in the slot in the second half with Sage Rosenfels throwing to him. ... I thought Danny Ware looked all right as a third-down back catching screen passes. ... The word on Tynes was a thigh contusion, which is better than a knee injury for sure.

More on the Giants on Sunday, as you'll get my "Camp Confidential" report on them. Meantime, let me know what you thought.

 

[Faust]

Camp Confidential: Giants

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. The new offensive line. When they cut longtime center Shaun O'Hara and guard Rich Seubert on the first day of free agency, the Giants signaled a decision to change an aspect of their team that hadn't changed much over the past six or seven years. They signed free-agent center David Baas from San Francisco, moved Diehl inside, and gave the starting left tackle job to 2009 second-round draft pick William Beatty. So there are questions that must be answered about how quickly the newly configured group can jell, how smooth the relationship between Baas and quarterback Eli Manning will be and, perhaps most importantly, whether Beatty in his third NFL season is ready for the responsibility of protecting Manning's blind side.

"In the case of William Beatty, it's time," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "We've had him here. He's talented. He's had an opportunity to learn. He's practiced against some of the best. We've had some defensive ends around here that can play. So it's time. It's his turn."

Beatty started four games in his rookie season and two last season as he was being groomed for this opportunity. He's perhaps the best example of the Giants' belief in their ability to groom their own replacements for departing veterans rather than having to hit the free-agent market to do so. Now, he must prove that their faith in him was justified.

2. Can Osi Umenyiora be happy? Upset about his contract, the Giants' star defensive end has sat out practice and demanded that the team rework his deal or trade him to a team that will. Neither of those things appears likely to happen, though the Giants have offered an olive branch in the form of some 2011 incentives depending on the number of sacks Umenyiora gets this year. He had his knee checked out last week and there's a sense he could return to practice Monday. The way Jason Pierre-Paul played in Saturday night's preseason opener only helped the Giants' leverage in this situation. They believe Pierre-Paul, their 2010 first-round pick, can be a capable replacement for Umenyiora at the defensive end spot opposite Justin Tuck. Of course, if Umenyiora wants to come back and play, they'll be thrilled to be able to rotate three such weapons at the defensive end spots. It would also enable them to put Mathias Kiwanuka at linebacker and leave him there.

3. Manning's safety valves. As the Giants' passing game evolved over the past couple of seasons, Manning relied heavily on Smith and Boss as targets when things broke down. Both are gone. The Giants hope that 2009 third-round pick Travis Beckum is ready to replace Boss. Beckum is a good receiver, but he doesn't have Boss' size or blocking ability. And they're trying everyone from Mario Manningham to Domenik Hixon to Victor Cruz in Smith's old slot-receiver role in the hopes that someone can play the position the way Smith did. Top receiver Hakeem Nicks appears poised to have another big year, and the Giants can use Manningham on the outside as they did last season. But Manning is justifiably concerned about who will be there for him when a play inevitably breaks down, and tight end and slot receiver are positions that need to be sorted out before camp ends.

"When we've gotten in trouble in the past, we always had Steve in the slot, and that's kind of all we worked on -- Steve's in the slot, there you go, he's got it down," Manning said. "And so last year, when he got hurt, we were in trouble. No one else really knew how to play it. So this year we're putting everybody -- Hakeem is in there, Manningham's getting in here, we're getting a lot of people in there to get them to learn some of it, so that'll probably create some more opportunities for us to move guys around and get some mismatches."

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

Linebacker has been a weak spot for the Giants the past couple of years. Unable to add outside free agents because of cap concerns, they'll address it by moving Kiwanuka there for first and second downs. But much will still fall on the shoulders of Jonathan Goff, who enters his second season as starter at middle linebacker in the Giants' 4-3 defense. "I'll have better composure this year," Goff said. "Last year, being my first year, was a little bit of a learning experience for me. This year, I think we're all on the same page to move forward as a defense and get better. It's just natural now." Goff is responsible for communicating the calls from the sidelines and for making any front-seven checks. (The coverage checks are the responsibility of the safeties.) He knows he'll need to take a stronger on-field leadership role for the defense to play more consistently this season.

AN 'EXPLOSIVE' PHILLIPS

Two years ago, Kenny Phillips was on the verge of breaking out as one of the top safeties in the NFL. But he lost his 2009 season to a left knee injury, spent the 2009-10 offseason rehabbing the knee and wasn't the same player when he returned in 2010. This year, Phillips said, he was able to condition himself the way he normally would for a season, rather than have to rehab, and believes it has made a huge difference. "Just being more explosive," Phillips said. "Last year, just seeing the field, it was kind of difficult at times, because I'd been away from the game, to be able to break on the ball -- to actually see it and then be able to get to it. But this year, now, everything is just fluid. My technique and everything is sound. I just feel good about everything this year." Phillips said he learned a lot last season playing and working with veteran safety Deon Grant (who remains an unsigned free agent), and that, with his physical ability fully restored, he believes he'll be a better player.

OBSERVATION DECK

[*]Hixon could be a very important player for the Giants if he's recovered from his knee injury. He showed ability to play that slot receiver position when he was healthy, and will get a chance to show it again, though it seems clear the Giants would like to have multiple options there in case something goes wrong.

[*]Linval Joseph, the 2010 second-round pick, would seem to have the playing-time edge at defensive tackle over 2011 second-round pick Marvin Austin. But each brings impressive size and agility to the position, and between them the Giants should be able to capably replace Barry Cofield, who signed with Washington.

[*]The starting secondary of Phillips, Antrel Rolle, Terrell Thomas and Corey Webster looks excellent in practice. The question is whether there's enough depth behind those guys if there's an injury. Cornerbacks Michael Coe and Brian Witherspoon and safety Tyler Sash have a chance to earn playing time with Prince Amukamara hurt and Grant not re-signed. Witherspoon has been impressive on special teams and looked good in Saturday's game. Sash appears to be very athletic, but he needs to play with more discipline.

[*]Kiwanuka at linebacker is a work in progress. No question he has the ability to play it, but he overpursued Saturday at times the way a defensive end might.

[*]Even before he left Saturday's preseason game with a thigh injury, kicker Lawrence Tynes looked as though he might be cause for concern. Having missed a few practices as he recovers from knee surgery, Tynes was unable to boot kickoffs out of the back of the end zone the way it seems every other kicker in the league has so far this preseason. And he missed a couple of field goals (though the first was a 56-yarder he shouldn't have been asked to try). Worth keeping an eye on to see how he looks the rest of August.

[*]As for punters, Matt Dodge has looked better than he did in his difficult rookie season, but it's going to be tough for him to beat out Steve Weatherford, who's just better at the job.

 

[Faust]

Panthers' Newton, Browns' McCoy show flashes of brilliance

The third night of preseason football continued to provide answers to some of the looming questions that dominated the offseason. While one game will certainly not serve as a definitive evaluation on a player, it does provide an opportunity to make projections based on flashes of talent and potential.

Here are some of my observations from watching Saturday's five preseason games:

Cam Newton has the skills to be a special player. The No. 1 overall pick had an up-and-down performance in his debut, but there is no denying his spectacular talent. He is a remarkable athlete with the size, agility and arm strength that coaches covet in a quarterback. Although his footwork and mechanics are unrefined, his natural ability allows him to overcome his technical deficiencies to make jaw-dropping throws while falling off his back foot. Granted, he narrowly missed a few big-play opportunities due to his failure to deliver pinpoint passes on time, but also connected on a few deep balls that only a handful of quarterbacks in the league could make in those situations. With only a little more than a week of practice under his belt, the Panthers have to be encouraged by the potential of their new franchise quarterback.

The marriage between Colt McCoy and Pat Shurmur is going deliver big results in Cleveland. The rookie head coach has implemented a plan that caters to McCoy's strengths, and the Browns' impressive offensive debut against the Packers showcased the unit's potential. McCoy, who connected on 9 of 10 pass attempts for 134 yards with a touchdown, looked comfortable operating within a scheme that featured a mixture of movement, play-action and drop-back passes. While most of the throws could be considered high-percentage, quick-rhythm tosses, the second-year QB took enough deep shots to keep defenders from clamping down on the Browns' underneath routes. With Peyton Hillis likely to attract eight-man fronts on a consistent basis, McCoy will enjoy more big nights from the pocket in Shurmur's efficient scheme.

Shawne Merriman is back. After spending parts of the past three seasons on the sideline due to a host of injuries, the three-time Pro Bowler looks like he has regained his past form. He flashed the explosiveness that had been lacking in his game in recent years, and looked like the dominant force that terrorized the league during his first three seasons. While the Bears' woeful offensive line should temper the excitement surrounding Merriman's two-sack performance, it was the way he created consistent pressure that was most impressive. He bull rushed his way past blockers on the way to the quarterback, and his ability to win with second effort showcased the explosiveness that had been lacking in his game. With three more games to hone his skills, Merriman very well could be the force the Bills were looking for to juice up their defense.

The Colts need a better backup plan for Peyton Manning. Nearly every team in the league would be in the same predicament without their starting quarterback, but the Colts' backups -- Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky -- lack the ability to keep the offense afloat in the four-time MVP's absence. Their ineptitude was on full display against the St. Louis Rams, as the duo combined to finish 9 for 16 for 166 yards with three interceptions. Painter, in particular, looks unprepared to handle the responsibility of directing the offense as a starter. He is repeatedly late with the delivery of his throws, and his ball placement leaves something to be desired. His interception on the third play of the game was the result of a poor throw that sailed over the intended receiver's head. Though he came back to deliver an accurate 41-yard strike to Pierre Garcon down the sideline, his overall inconsistency as a passer should force to Colts to reconsider their options at the backup spot.

Jason Pierre-Paul is on the verge of becoming a star. The second-year pro was regarded as one of the best athletes in the draft when he entered the league as the 15th overall pick as a season ago, but he is quickly becoming a dominant pass rusher. He overwhelmed Jordan Gross in a little over a quarter of play in the Giants' preseason opener, and showcased the freakish skills that should prompt the team to keep him in the starting lineup if and when Osi Umenyiora returns. Pierre-Paul recorded two sacks and generated a pressure that led to a Jimmy Clausen interception. His ability to wreak havoc against one of the league's better offensive tackles suggests that he is capable of duplicating that kind of production throughout the season. Given the immense talent that surrounds Pierre-Paul along the line, it is very likely that he posts big numbers as an edge rusher against isolated matchups.

 

[Faust]

Ryan's ambition fueled by humbling halt to 2010 season

Observation deck

1. Quarterback Matt Ryan has seized control of this team. After last season's loss to Green Bay in the NFC playoffs, when he threw two tough interceptions and the Falcons came out of character, Ryan took things hard -- but not in a hang-my-head-down-I-need-to-go-somewhere-to-clean-out-my-head hard. He got film from coaches before the lockout, studied during the lockout when he wasn't orchestrating player workouts, and put in the time to enhance his game. In Atlanta's preseason-opening loss, Ryan led the Falcons to a 17-0 lead before fans could order popcorn.

Ryan was relentless in executing the offense and putting pass after pass on the mark during practice Sunday. Once the three-hour morning session wrapped up, he took backup Chris Redman to a side field and ran gassers while the rest of the team filtered into the locker room, which is customary. Ryan wants to be great, and for his team to win he clearly won't be outworked while trying to reach his goals.

2. Cornerback Dunta Robinson, who signed a six-year, $57 million free-agent contract last season, looks like he's back to form. Robinson got off to a slow start last season, then suffered a concussion and injured his knee on the memorable head shot on Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson. He came on as the season went on and now that he's fully in tune with the scheme, Robinson looks really, really good.

"People don't remember he missed 30 practices in training camp because of his hamstring," coach Mike Smith said. "It was huge for him to be able to participate in all these practices. He progressed at the end of last season and is playing at the level that we anticipated."

3. One of the most underrated position coaches in the NFL could be Falcons offensive line coach Paul Boudreau. He has crafted a nasty offensive line, which retained two core free agents in left guard Justin Blalock and right tackle Tyson Clabo -- one of the nastiest players in the league who was in the Pro Bowl last season. With the loss of right guard Harvey Dahl in free agency, Boudreau has inserted massive 6-foot-7, 310-pound guard Garrett Reynolds next to Clabo. Atlanta doesn't look as if it's missed a beat. The unit is a sum of its parts, and Boudreau has coached up the talent to where there is notable depth behind a very strong first unit.

4. Defensive end John Abraham, 33, looks as fresh as ever. Coming off a season with 13.0 sacks and two forced fumbles, the highly underappreciated Abraham could actually have a bigger season due to the acquisition of defensive end Ray Edwards. Other than defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux, Abraham hasn't had a consistent presence to complement him. Now he does. To reinforce this point again, Abraham is much more than a pass rusher, too.

5. I will state this now: safeties William Moore and Thomas DeCoud could emerge as the top back-end tandem in the NFL within the next year. Both can run, have good size and have great instincts.

New guys to watch

» Ray Edwards. Edwards is coming off knee surgery, so he's been limited to individual drills in practice and did not play in the preseason opener. The Falcons like the fact that he has the size, makeup and resume of what they want at the position. They also like that he can play the run and pass. The past few seasons they'd have to rotate pass rushers (Kroy Biermann) with run stoppers (ex-Falcons DE Jamaal Anderson), which would tip the defensive play call.

» Jacquizz Rodgers. There was a lot of buzz about the former Oregon State running back when he was drafted in the fifth round, but he's deep on the depth chart and has an uphill climb. Antone Smith and Gartrell Johnson are currently behind Michael Turner and Jason Snelling. Rodgers, at 5-foot-6, has some scatback potential, but was physically overmatched in pass protection in the preseason opener against Miami.

» Kerry Meier. He's entering his second season, but the 6-foot-3, 220-pound wide receiver is going to be a nice No. 4 wideout. Meier was impressing before he got hurt (knee) last season and he's back at it now.

Overheard

The acquisition of Julio Jones could take some of the offensive focus off Pro Bowl wide receiver Roddy White, but White has been very welcoming of the rookie. Don't expect that to change. Though White loves the fact that he's finally being recognized as one of the top wide receivers in the game, he likes that he finally might have someone other than TE Tony Gonzalez that can draw double coverages away from him.

Prediction

Ryan will have his best season to date. He's got more options, but more importantly he's going to be a better player. He's one of the most driven players I've ever seen. I'm not sure that translates into a deeper playoff run because the defense has to play tougher and create more turnovers -- an element has been the key for the last two Super Bowl champs.

 

[Faust]

Patriots practice 17 observations

Excerpts:

Brady-to-Ocho connection gets work. There were two long passes from quarterback Tom Brady to wide receiver Chad Ochocinco during 11-on-11 work on Sunday. Both plays went for touchdowns, including an impressive diving effort by Ochocinco on one reception. These were the highlights of the day for the thin crowd. Wide receiver Wes Welker also got in on the action, fending off cornerbacks Devin McCourty and Leigh Bodden to come up with an underthrown pass from Brady intended for Deion Branch; in game action, Brady would have been sacked on the play, as Woodhead was tossed aside by blitzing linebacker Jerod Mayo.

Mallett continues to see increased reps. Rookie quarterback Ryan Mallett saw his fair share of action on Sunday afternoon, the second straight day he has seen a noticeable increase in reps. His accuracy still is inconsistent, with one particularly ugly pass hitting tight end Will Yeatman in the ankles on an underneath route.

Gostkowski eased back in. After several days of rookie Chris Koepplin handling the end-of-practice field goals, Stephen Gostkowski took over the duties on Sunday afternoon. He missed wide left and wide right on two deeper kicks, but otherwise looked impressive. Before the drill, Gostkowski was seen successfully hitting 60-yard field goals on the unused practice field, so it's safe to say that Gostkowski is showing few ill effects from his season-ending quad injury from last year.

 

[Faust]

Twitter:

Evan Silva

Running backs rising after Week 1 of preseason: 1) Tim Hightower 2) Jahvid Best 3) Stevan Ridley 4) Mike Tolbert 5) Felix Jones

Jane McManus

by MattWaldman

Ryan again praised his RB Bilal Powell. Starting to be a regular thing in his press conferences

Chris Nimbley

by MattWaldman

Rex also says he likes what he's seen from Bilal Powell but he'll still be developmental back

 

[Faust]

Young Browns showing promise behind McCoy's growth

CLEVELAND -- Here are five things to take from the preseason opener between the Browns and Packers, with one team rebuilding, and the other defending a championship ...

1. The Real McCoy

Is it too early to anoint Colt McCoy? Probably. But I can say that, having been around the Browns this week, there are a lot of good signs about the way the kid's handling himself.

Here's another: Last night, between his own chances with the ball, McCoy stood and watched Aaron Rodgers operate the West Coast offense he's trying to master. The second-year quarterback was -- as the Packers went into hurry-up mode on a touchdown drive -- trying to keep up and call out plays as Green Bay ran them.

McCoy told me he spent a lot of time watching tape of Rodgers in the offseason, and it was "cool" being able to recognize what he was looking at in real time at a quickened pace. It's a little thing, yes, but another example of how thorough McCoy is. The fact that he went 9 for 10 passing for 135 yards and a touchdown, spreading the ball to six different receivers, didn't hurt, either.

Nor does the way he approached that success, explaining to me after the game, "We're not patting ourselves on the back by any means. ... We have to make the same improvements as we made last week to this week. Last week, we played in a scrimmage, we didn't look that good. So we come back, we work, we get our spacing right, our receivers do a great job of winning matchups. The point is we have to continue to make those jumps each week if we want to be ready to go in the regular season."

2. The value of workouts

The Browns spent a lot of time conducting player-run workouts spearheaded by McCoy during the offseason, and players said last night was proof of their worth. The Packers -- who held no such sessions -- saw things a little differently.

"There's football, so all hope is restored," All-Pro Clay Matthews told me. "We feel good about where we're at. Obviously, there's room for improvement. We need to get better, there's no doubt about that. But we can do that."

Rodgers' 21-yard touchdown pass to Greg Jennings -- his last attempt of the game and an absolute laser of a back-shoulder strike -- was the kind that required timing and symmetry between quarterback and receiver. So it seems as if those guys haven't missed a beat. And that whole drive -- a hardly interrupted, 73-yard march in which Rodgers completed all six of his attempts and ran the no-huddle attack deftly -- was another example that Green Bay needed the work less than most.

Of course, these are two teams in very different positions going into the season.

3. It comes from within

The Packers stood largely pat during the free-agent frenzy of the last few weeks, but there are several areas where improvement can be expected from the champs, for two reasons. First, this team remains loaded with ascending players. Second, a number of guys will be coming off injury.

Tailback Ryan Grant looked spry last night and proved he's still able to turn the corner on a defense in his first game action since getting hurt last year, finishing with a modest 13 yards on three carries. Next week, Jermichael Finley, who could be a real difference-maker at tight end, should make his return to game action. Finley went through some warmups with the team, but the staff decided to play it safe with him.

Then there's veteran Charles Woodson, who broke his collarbone in the Super Bowl. Woodson, as he has the last few years, sat out the preseason opener as a maintenance measure. But he told me -- while wearing a weighted vest for a pregame workout last night -- that he's pushed himself hard in practice. He's taken less time to pace himself during camp this summer than in any of his years as a Packer.

4. Trial by fire

We've heard a lot about how rookies across the league are going to be hard-pressed to get on the field this fall. Someone should pass the memo along to Pat Shurmur and his staff.

The Browns have shown no qualms about tossing their rookies into the fire, and some didn't look out of place running with the first team. Cleveland's first two draft picks, defensive tackle Phil Taylor and defensive end Jabaal Sheard, have run with the first unit since Day 1 of camp, and both started against the Packers.

On offense, Greg Little -- the receiver who came with one of the picks acquired in the Julio Jones blockbuster -- played with McCoy's group and stayed in when Seneca Wallace took over. He was up and down, catching two of the five of balls thrown his way, but got the valuable reps the staff wanted to give him. Of course, all of this is also a recognition of where the Browns are at as a team still tearing down some things and trying to get younger.

5. Football first

The Indians are in the middle of a pennant race, and were playing across town at the same time as the Browns, drawing a nice crowd of about 30,000. But I don't think there's any question of where this city's mind was at around 8 p.m. ET, which was seeing McCoy running Shurmur's offense for the first time.

Football's become the most popular sport, at one level or another, in almost every U.S. market (exceptions being a couple Northeastern cities, St. Louis and maybe Los Angeles). It always has been that way in Cleveland, in the cradle of the professional sport, and really across this entire state.

One thing's for sure: When a group of football people come in and finally give the city a winning football team -- what might just be taking place under Mike Holmgren, Tom Heckert and Shurmur -- this is going to be one cool place for those folks to work.

 

[Faust]

Five takeaways from Cowboys-Broncos preseason game

Tim Tebow stole all the headlines in Thursday night's Cowboys-Broncos game. But there were plenty more things learned during Dallas' 24-23 win. Here are five of them:

1. The Cowboys line bears watching, and its growth could determine where this season goes for Dallas. Jason Garrett wants to be more physical, and it'll start there. He started two rookies and a second-year undrafted free agent, and they weren't awful. Starting tailback Felix Jones was sprung for 22 yards on three carries on the first drive, and Dallas went 56 yards before settling for a field goal on that one. First-round pick Tyron Smith stayed in at right tackle long after some other starters departed, and was fine, outside of what appeared to be a mental mistake on a Broncos blitz.

2. Looking at the Broncos, you can see the fingerprints of what John Fox's Panthers were in their heyday. First drive, Denver churned out runs of 4, 6, 5, 12, 7 and 6 yards. The last five of those runs were consecutive, the first four between the tackles. For one reason or another, the Broncos got pass-happy on first-and-goal, and the drive stalled. But you can see the emphasis. Also, it was pointed out to me that Knowshon Moreno sprinted onto the field prior to the game, something he used to do at Georgia, but hasn't done as much as a pro. The point was made in explaining how the third-year back seemed to have a "spark" last night.

3. The preseason is a time for backup quarterbacks to make themselves marketable. The two guys playing the second half certainly did that. Quinn was 8 of 14 for 120 yards and a touchdown, and seemed to be in command of Mike McCoy's offense, going deep into his reads and doing a nice job of distributing the ball. Cowboys third-stringer Stephen McGee might have turned in the best effort of any of the six quarterbacks who played, completing 14 of 24 passes for 208 yards, three touchdowns and a pick. The former fourth-round pick made a spectacular play on a fourth-and-goal from the 13, finding Dwayne Harris to pull the Cowboys to within a point, and then won the game on a scramble play, hitting tight end Martin Rucker on the run for the game-winning two-pointer. At worst, McGee seems ready to be a capable No. 2, though in Dallas he's still behind Jon Kitna.

4. Whither Martellus? The Cowboys spent a second-round pick on Martellus Bennett in 2009. He didn't play against the Broncos, and might be in danger of dropping to third on the depth chart. Second-year pro John Phillips, coming off a torn ACL, was very solid (four catches, 25 yards) all the way around, and at this point might be a better option to complement Jason Witten at the position.

5. Rob Ryan has some work to do with that defense. On the first snap, he somehow got DeMarcus Ware a free run at the quarterback, but the aforementioned Broncos success tackle-to-tackle was ugly for Dallas. To be fair, they didn't have Pro Bowler Jay Ratliff in there. But Ryan has traditionally worked with bigger players at those interior positions, so it'll be interesting to see how much he works to adjust to Dallas' smaller, quicker personnel (which fit Wade Phillips' system better) along the defensive line. Based on his track record, you have to think he'll figure it out.

 

[Faust]

Camp Confidential: Detroit Lions

Excerpts:

THREE BIG ISSUES

1. Backus' status: The Lions are equipped to absorb injuries at many positions, but left tackle isnt one of them. Foxs injury has only exacerbated the issue and left the Lions using players who would otherwise be relegated to their third team at the most important position on the line.

Torn pectoral muscles usually require season-ending surgery. The Lions havent revealed the severity of the injury, but their insistence that Backus will be ready for the regular-season opener suggests the muscle isnt completely torn. Backus hasnt missed a game in his 10 previous seasons, and quite frankly the Lions are banking on his durability in this instance.

"You've just got to go on history there," coach Jim Schwartz said. "He has started 160 straight games. … Jeff is obviously experienced and is a hard worker and doesnt need every single rep in training camp. We can afford to take it slow with him and get him back the right way rather than have to rush him back too soon."

In the end, the question isnt likely to be whether Backus plays, but if the injury has (temporarily) diminished his effectiveness. After all, an offensive lineman needs full extension and strength in his arms to ward off pass-rushers.

2. Stafford's return: I know it might ring hollow for those of you concerned about his health, but Stafford was zinging the ball all over the field during my time in Lions camp. He is now completely at ease in coordinator Scott Linehans offense and clearly bulked up this offseason to better prepare for the rigors of a 16-game season.

I saw Stafford loft 25-yard touch passes into the back of the end zone just as easily as he rifled 30-yard ropes over the middle. I realize that practice throws don't always predict game performance, and I know that his biggest challenge is durability and not ability. But to the extent that he could over three days of camp, Stafford sure looked like a quarterback who is ready to break through to NFL stardom.

"It's hard because hes missed a lot of time on field," Linehan said. "But you can see the ownership hes taken in this offense. He spends a lot of time with the players, with the system and in the building. Its not just me talking in the meeting rooms anymore. Hes spot-on. Hes going to have a great career. I really think that."

3. Secondary issues are now secondary: The Lions' systematic rebuild of their defense is now two-thirds complete. Theyve built one of the best defensive lines in the game. They have three credible starters at linebacker. All that remains is the secondary.

Right?

The Lions weren't as worried about their secondary during the early portion of training camp as some other people were. Safety Louis Delmas has been a constant presence, having regained his health following offseason surgery on his groin. Cornerback Chris Houston re-signed after a brief foray on the free-agent market, strong safety Amari Spievey reported to training camp in good physical condition and new cornerback Eric Wright has been a consistent playmaker during team workouts.

I saw Wright end a team drill with a strong anticipatory interception of Stafford. A few days later, defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham had this hyperbolic but revealing assessment: "To me, theres only one athlete like this in the NFL. And hes old. Thats Champ Bailey. [Wright] is a pure, one of the most outstanding athletes to come out of the draft in a long time."

The Lions have some decent depth behind Wright and Houston. Aaron Berry has again impressed coaches when he has been healthy, and the Lions should get back Alphonso Smith (foot) before the start of the regular season.

The secondary might be a weak link on a relative scale, but it might not be as weak as some might have feared.

BEST RELATIONSHIP

A second consecutive offseason spent working together has left Stafford and Calvin Johnson in position to do some serious damage. Its obvious to anyone watching Lions practice that the two have developed a level of chemistry that only time can bring.

"I feel like he trusts me that I'm going to put the ball in a good place to give him a chance," Stafford said, "and I definitely trust him when I put it up there that he's going to come down with it or nobody is."

Injuries have limited the two to 13 games over the past two seasons, but there is a feeling in Lions camp that the pair is ready to break out in 2011. The duo got off to a strong start Friday night on a back-shoulder touchdown pass to end the Lions first possession.

UNANSWERED QUESTION

What is the true impact of Leshoures injury? Its hard to know because were not entirely sure how the Lions planned to use Leshoure and Jahvid Best. Was Leshoure going to be the change of pace? Or was Best?

If Leshoure continued his early-camp performance, its very possible it could have been the latter. Best himself said the team had given him no indication whether he would get 20 carries per game, 10 carries per game or fewer.

"I was figuring that about midway through the preseason it was really going to start to show," Best said.

So what now? For the short term, at least, Best is firmly entrenched as the No. 1 back. In Friday nights preseason opener, Best was either the ball carrier or the intended target on seven of 11 plays run by the Lions first-team offense.

But if the Lions aggressive move to draft Leshoure told us anything, it's that they dont want Best carrying the entire load. The first candidate to be his running mate is newcomer Jerome Harrison, who was the first back off the bench Friday night. Its too early to know if Harrison is up to the job, but the Lions really want to get Best some help -- from somewhere.

OBSERVATION DECK

For the first time in a long time, place-kicker Jason Hanson isnt guaranteed a spot on the roster. For that matter, the Lions also have a legitimate challenger to punter Nick Harris in Ryan Donahue. But Hansons roster battle with Dave Rayner has generated some attention. Schwartz said that "everyone on our 90-man camp roster has a chance to make the team." He noted that Hanson is kicking "very well," as is Rayner. "Its a good situation for us," Schwartz said. Both kickers were booming kickoffs well into the end zone during my stay at camp. (Given the NFLs shift of kickoffs to the 35-yarde line, thats to be expected.)

Cunningham joked (I think) that he "took the over" on the pre-camp weight of Spievey and defensive tackle Sammie Lee Hill. He was pleasantly surprised. The Lions are especially pleased with the way Spievey has taken ownership of his position. He looked lean and active during the early part of camp and appeared healthy as well. "Amari's in great shape," Cunningham said. "His communication skill is much higher than it was, and he and Delmas really know each other."

Most linebacker groups have a run-stopping plodder who is an obvious candidate to leave the field in the nickel. But with DeAndre Levy, Stephen Tulloch and Justin Durant, the Lions really dont have one. Tulloch was leaving in the nickel during the portion of camp I watched, but he is a quick linebacker in his own right, and Schwartz insisted the Lions will mix and match their nickel lineups this season. "Our group gives us the flexibility to do that," he said.

Coaches couldnt stop raving about Rashied Davis impact on the locker room. "Theres a guy I cant say enough about," Linehan said. "Thats the kind of pro you want to have. Im able to show the young guys that this is a 32-year-old veteran that is a special-teamer. Been in this league X amount of years because he just does everything 100 percent and right. Thats just been a great example for those guys."

One of my favorite sights of Lions training camp the past two years: veteran defensive end Kyle Vanden Boschs insistence that he touch the ball on every play. Sometimes that means reaching one step over from his current position. Often, however, it means chasing a ball carrier as far as 30 yards downfield. By the way, it appears Vanden Bosch is fully recovered from neck surgery that ended his first season with the Lions.

Will Wright re-establish his career with the Lions? He has the raw skills to do so, and now he has a defensive line that will, without question, make his job easier. "The D-line plays hard and its relentless," Wright said. "Its contagious. From a total defensive standpoint, those guys rub off on us, especially the defensive backs."

 

[Faust]

Camp Confidential: Buffalo Bills

Excerpts:

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. Will Ryan Fitzpatrick be better? Yes. Fitzpatrick was a decent quarterback in 2010 -- 3,000 yards, 23 touchdowns, 15 interceptions -- especially considering that he was basically thrown into the job after the Bills gave up on former starter Trent Edwards. Fitzpatrick also has far more advantages coming into this season, despite not having an entire offseason to work with coaches. The major areas that he needs to improve? Accuracy and consistency. What he doesn’t have to worry about any longer? Proving to his teammates that he can lead this team and knowing whether the job is his alone. “Last season was interesting, but my whole career has been about being ready to show what you can do when the opportunity comes,” said Fitzpatrick, who spent his first five NFL seasons as a backup before getting his shot as a full-time starter three games into 2010. “One of the good things we have as an offense is that we have a lot of guys who’ve spent an entire season playing together and getting familiar with each other. When you look at the offenses in New England and Indianapolis, that continuity is what makes them so successful, and now we’re one step closer to that.”

2. Can Shawne Merriman return to an elite level? As long as he’s healthy. Right now the three-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker thinks that the strained Achilles that limited him to only three games last season won’t be an issue. The bigger challenge for him is finding a comfort level after registering only four sacks over the past three seasons. The Bills are banking on his getting up to speed in a hurry. For a team that tied for 27th in the NFL in sacks last season (with 27), having a rejuvenated Merriman harassing opposing quarterbacks would be a much-needed blessing. “I don’t feel like I need to respond to people who’ve been counting me out over the last couple years because all you have to do is watch me practice,” said Merriman, who had 43.5 sacks in his first 60 career games. “It’s definitely been hard [not playing] but I also feel like I’ve done everything I’ve needed to do to get back. I can see good things happening this season.”

3. What role will C.J. Spiller play in the offense? One of the more disappointing aspects of the Bills' offense in 2010 was the lack of productivity from Spiller. Drafted ninth overall in last year’s draft, he was supposed to bring breathtaking speed and elusiveness to the Bills. Instead, Spiller wound up with only 283 rushing yards and 24 receptions in his rookie season. Those numbers should increase now that Buffalo has a less crowded backfield (the team traded Marshawn Lynch to Seattle midway through last season) and a greater sense of urgency about involving Spiller. “We need to get him more touches,” Gailey said. “We need to find more ways to get him in space so he can use that speed. He’s already grown as a runner because he’s better at running inside, and he’s shown more patience. The one thing I’d really like to see him improve on now is ball security. He had some problems with fumbles last year [spiller had five fumbles and lost three], and we can’t have that.”

WELCOME SIGHT

Roscoe Parrish: The Bills' offensive players know that Parrish has developed into a valuable receiver after being used mainly as a returner early in his career. They realize it even more now that he’s healthy. After missing the last eight games of 2010 with a broken wrist, Parrish has been impressing teammates with his trademark speed and quickness. The explosiveness he brings to the offense after sitting out half a year also hasn’t gone unnoticed. “Now that he’s back, you remember how much he means to this offense,” Fitzpatrick said. “He really adds another dimension.”

PLAYER TO WATCH

Brad Smith: Don’t be surprised if Smith becomes a more dangerous playmaker in the Bills’ offense. He made his name as a kick returner/wide receiver/Wildcat quarterback with the New York Jets, and rule changes should allow him to increase his playing time in Buffalo. The NFL agreed to abolish the rule requiring teams to determine a third quarterback on game-day rosters -- that player could participate only in emergency situations, and his presence would prevent the team from using any other quarterback during a game. Now a player like Smith can be used far more often in Wildcat situations. Even if Smith appears as a quarterback in three or four plays a game, his involvement won’t limit his coaches’ options. “We were going to use him in a similar role anyway, but that rule really helps,” said Gailey, who has gained a reputation for finding creative roles for versatile players. “Now you don’t have to wonder about whether he needs to be listed as a third quarterback who can only play in emergency situations or if he can be used as a Wildcat quarterback whenever we like. It’s going to make a big difference.”

OBSERVATION DECK

[*]Rookie defensive end Marcell Dareus hasn’t needed much time to make a strong impression on his coaches. Wannstedt called him a “special kid with the right approach to the game,” and Gailey thinks it shouldn’t take long for Dareus to prove why he was worthy of the third overall pick in this year’s draft. “He’s a big, physical guy and he’s got an edge to him,” Gailey said of Dareus, who's 6-3 and weighs 323. “You have to like that about him.”

• Even though the Bills lost their second-best tackler from last season -- strong safety Donte Whitner -- the loss may not be as troubling as it looks. Though he was a strong presence in run support, the team thinks strong safety George Wilson can help the Bills more in the playmaking department. When Whitner was injured two years ago, the tandem of Wilson and Jairus Byrd gave the secondary a bigger boost with their pass defense skills.

• The emphasis on stopping the run is going to put more pressure on the Bills cornerbacks this season. Gailey believes he has the personnel to handle the increased responsibility, and Terrence McGee is essential to this approach. He has spent more time covering slot receivers in training camp, which will allow Leodis McKelvin and Drayton Florence to handle outside receivers when the defense faces three-receiver looks.

• Wide receiver Donald Jones is another player worth watching. When asked about teammates who have caught his eye early in training camp, Fitzpatrick said Jones had elevated his game in his second season. An undrafted rookie in 2010, Jones was a nice surprise in camp and finished with 18 receptions. This year he’s using his size and strength to make himself a tough receiver to handle at the line of scrimmage.

• The Bills recognize that their biggest challenge this season will be learning how to change expectations. Gailey has talked about the difference between hoping to win and expecting to win, and his players believe they can make great strides. Fitzpatrick agreed that last season, too many players were worried about losing their jobs as the team transitioned into Gailey’s tenure. This year, there is far more comfort and a sense of purpose on a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 1999. “We definitely need to take the approach that we deserve to win,” Fitzpatrick said. “And we have a chip on our shoulders. We hear all the people talking about how tough the AFC East is, and nobody mentions our name. That can be fuel for our fire, and we have to believe we can surprise people.”

 

[Faust]

Bills observations

Sacks!: The Bears might have the worst offensive line in football, but Buffalo deserves a lot of credit for sacking Chicago quarterbacks a whopping nine times. Shawne Merriman stood out in this capacity. If he is now close to the player he was just a few years ago in San Diego, that will be exactly what the Bills need so badly at outside linebacker. Merriman abused J'Marcus Webb -- who has no business starting at left tackle -- with regularity. Merriman won his one-on-one matchup with power, quickness and technique, which is very encouraging. Chicago was wise to get Jay Cutler out of the game even before the first quarter wrapped up. Cutler’s backup, Caleb Hanie, also could have done a better job of getting the ball out quicker.

Marcell Dareus: The rookie played terrifically in his debut for the Bills. I wrote last week what Dareus can do for this team from a schematic standpoint. We saw much of that against the Bears. He was particularly effective lined up at defensive tackle in the Bills’ four-man front, abusing Chicago’s right guards. Time and continuity should help the Bears’ line, but clearly Dareus brings a ton to the table. Dareus runs and changes directions extremely well for such a big man.

Bills OL needs work: As awful as the Bears’ offensive line looked in Week 1 of the preseason, Buffalo’s wasn’t all that spectacular either, particularly on the interior. Henry Melton is a real up-and-comer as Chicago’s 3 technique, and his quick get-off and penetration skills gave the Bills’ guards a tough time on numerous occasions. Running against the Bears should be a very difficult chore once again this season. Melton might make it tough on many guards this season.

…as does the run defense: While Chicago could not protect its passer, the Bears did open holes in the run game. Marion Barber was quick to get downhill. He was decisive and showed a better burst than I remember from his final days in Dallas. The Bills did not handle his physicality very well and too often failed to get him on the ground when given ample opportunity. Kahlil Bell, a similar type power runner, also gave Buffalo’s depth players a hard time.

Wideouts minus Evans: Lee Evans is now in Baltimore, so there is now a golden opportunity for one or several of the Bills’ young receivers to step up. While the quarterback ball placement didn’t help the cause early, no one out of this stable really stepped up against the Bears. It also should be noted that C.J. Spiller spent some time in the slot as well. His role needs to increase.

Brad Smith: We got a glimpse why the Bills signed Smith from the divisional rival Jets. They plan on using him in a wide variety of ways. He lined up as a Wildcat quarterback as a run threat, which could be a regular thing for the Bills on third-and-short situations. We already know that he is an upper-echelon kickoff returner and can be a factor on the edge or slot as a wideout, where he got some work in this game as well. He also threw the ball. Chan Gailey has a very good history of maximizing the talents of players similar to Smith.

 

[Faust]

Rookie QBs show promise in first preseason action

Week 1 of the preseason is almost in the books, with one game (Jets at Texans) remaining Monday night. So what have we learned so far? A great deal. Not enough to draw firm conclusions about players or teams, but enough to shed some light on both. Let's start with the new players at the game's most important position: quarterback.

Newton: Short-term sacrifice, long-term gains

If we learned anything from watching Carolina's 20-10 win over the Giants Saturday night, it was that Cam Newton obviously possesses the raw talent to be a franchise quarterback deserving of the first overall pick. This was not a stellar performance, but rather a peek into the true potential, the real talent that Newton possesses. Newton needs all the reps he can get -- to help him both mentally and physically, as he adapts to the speed of the game. The best move the Panthers can make for the future is to play Newton as much as possible now, in the preseason, and prepare him to start the regular season. They will take some lumps in the short term, but it will help make the Panthers a legitimate playoff team in a few years.

Locker: Work in progress

The Titans signed veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to play right now while they work on first-round pick Jake Locker's mechanics, trying to improve his overall accuracy and fundamentals. And based on one game, their work has paid dividends. Locker was more accurate and more precise with his throws in a 14-3 win over the Vikings. It's not perfect yet, and when the games get faster, it will be interesting to see if he can continue to use his new fundamentals under pressure. When the Titans took Locker, they knew he was a work in progress. So far they are making strides.

Gabbert: Not ready to unseat Garrard

Blaine Gabbert was forced into the starting role in Jacksonville's Thursday night loss to New England, as David Garrard was nursing a back injury. Gabbert was not overwhelmed by being pressed into the starting role but he was not overwhelming in his performance, which was hampered by drops and a subpar receiving group. Gabbert will need much more time and a better supporting cast around him as he grows. However, his early performance did not show the command or the skill set to displace Garrard as the starter just yet. It's early, but based on one game, Gabbert won't beat out Garrard -- especially because Jack Del Rio needs to win this year.

Ponder: Some hesitation, some promise

Christian Ponder took over for Donovan McNabb, who looked rusty Saturday in his Vikings debut. Ponder looked hesitant with the ball at times; when the play was not as scripted, he did what most young quarterbacks do -- he ran. Watching Ponder play, you could see his mind was moving faster than his body, which resulted in some hesitation. However, when the play was clean and in rhythm, he delivered the ball on time and accurately. Right now, Ponder clearly would not be a good option for the Vikings on opening day. That said, I am not sure McNabb will be one either.

Dalton: Not a good start

Bengals rookie Andy Dalton struggled Friday night in Detroit -- and that is being kind. He did not look decisive with the football, nor did he have a great command. He was under pressure from the Lions' front, but he was not impressive with his arm or location of the football. From his first pass of the game -- which was intercepted -- to his last, Dalton never looked like a pure thrower. He did not look like someone who could drive the ball when the pocket closed on him. I am confident Dalton will be better next week with more work, but whether he can make all the throws the NFL game requires is yet to be determined.

Kaepernick: Not ready for prime time

Colin Kaepernick entered San Francisco's game on Friday facing all the heat Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams could muster. Predictably for a rookie, Kaepernick was not prepared to handle all the blitzes -- nor were his offensive teammates. In fairness to Williams, he was just running his defensive scheme in order to get his unit ready for the Packers on Sept. 8. Kaepernick was too careless with the ball (if he doesn't keep the ball closer to his body, he will set a record for fumbles in one season), too low with his delivery (he had several passes batted down on three-step drops), and he looked to run too often. Kaepernick played slow. With former No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith stumbling, the 49ers left the bayou wondering if they had a quarterback on their roster for 2011.

Mallett: Looking good

In New England's Thursday night win over Jacksonville, Ryan Mallett played like the first overall pick in the draft, not a third-rounder. He was quick-minded with the football and accurate on every level. He put the ball in the end zone and looked like a 10-year veteran running the two-minute drill. Mallett clearly showed to everyone he was not a third-round talent. According to my sources, he has been a great person and teammate in New England. Mallett was by far the best rookie quarterback and will get a huge amount of work this week in Tampa. Mallett is involved in a steep competition for the backup job in New England as current No. 2 Brian Hoyer also played really well. The third-year pro has the look of a bona fide NFL starter.

 

[netnalp]

Giants left tackle Will Beatty pleased with his practice against Osi Umenyiora

By Mike Garafolo/The Star-Ledger

Half of the story in today’s practice was Osi Umenyiora’s return to the field.

But maybe we didn’t focus on the most important half: the guy blocking him.

As much as Umenyiora looked pretty good coming off the ball and agile in his pass-rush moves, Giants left tackle Will Beatty handled him very, very well. He nudged him up the field when Umenyiora tried to get the edge and stood his ground when Umenyiora tried to bull rush him.

“Today I showed a vet, Osi Umenyiora, how much I have grown and prepared this off season,” Beatty wrote on his Facebook page after practice. “I'm glad to have the opportunity to practice my skill on a great pass rusher in the NFL.”

Frankly, with storylines flying all over the place these past few weeks, maybe we’ve overlooked how impressive Beatty has been so far in camp and in the preseason game against the Panthers on Saturday. He had plenty of 1-on-1 matchups in Carolina and handled them all well. And while he’s allowed the occasional pressure in camp, he’s more than protected everything on Eli Manning’s blind side.

And now that you’ve seen what Jason Pierre-Paul did against Jordan Gross, perhaps it’s even more impressive when I tell you that, in all the times I’ve watched Pierre-Paul go head-to-head with Beatty this camp, Pierre-Paul has never beaten him badly.

That’s not to say Pierre-Paul hasn’t gone through or around Beatty at all. I mean, I only have two eyes and I can’t focus on that matchup on every play. And there have been a few times when Pierre-Paul fought hard and might have created a pressure or something in a live game. But I can recall off-hand lots more of instances of Beatty handing Pierre-Paul his lunch than I can the other way around.

And you know what, one of the questions I and the Giants’ coaches had about Beatty coming in was how tough he could be on a consistent basis. He’s shown it on the field and I think he showed a little of it in that Facebook post, too. That was quite the bold statement there … and I admire it.

We’ll see if I’m saying the same things about Beatty in a few weeks and months.

* * * *

INJURIES

TE Travis Beckum (hamstring), DB Brian Jackson (back), LB Clint Sintim (knee) and Umenyiora were the guys returning to action.

QB Sage Rosenfels missed the session with strep throat. Rosenfels apparently played through the ailment in Saturday’s game against the Panthers, which makes his performance there that much more impressive.

WR Sam Giguere was seen leaving the facility in his car, but Tom Coughlin said that wasn’t an indication he had been waived. Coughlin said Giguere has a “serious groin” injury.

CB Prince Amukamara (foot), DE Dave Tollefson (back), K Lawrence Tynes (quad) and DBs Jarrard Tarrant (shoulder) and Woodny Turenne (calf) did not practice.

The Giants said DB Joe Burnett didn't practice because of a hamstring injury, but as you'll notice below he was in there for much of practice.

* * * *

THE STARTERS

LB Michael Boley has the hot hands. After his pick six the other night in Carolina, he grabbed another interception today on a slant over the middle in red-zone drills from Manning to Beckum.

Beckum made a couple of nice catches this afternoon. He had a pair on well-run routes in 1-on-1 drills, the first being an out route with S Tyler Sash grabbing at the back of his jersey and then an in cut in front of S David Sims. (Sash was later grabbing at TE Bear Pascoe on a touchdown as well.) Beckum’s best play was a leaping catch on a seam route over LB Spencer Paysinger late in practice.

CB Terrell Thomas was mad at himself when he allowed WR Michael Clayton to fool him with a step to the outside and then a cut inside for a TD in 1-on-1s. He was even madder in 7-on-7 passing drills when he had an interception go through his hands. I was wondering why he let WR Victor Cruz behind him in his zone but it soon became clear he was again trying to bait the quarterback (in this case, Manning) to throw a ball he could make a play on. He did but he couldn’t finish. Still the ball also went through Cruz’s hands after the tip, so no harm done.

Safeties Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips were heeding the advice of safeties coach David Merritt, who always tells his guys to test their ability to rotate in practice. On one play, Rolle went down into the box as he anticipated the snap but it was a hard count by Manning and he was stuck down there. No problem. Thomas just rotated from his position over the slot to the deep half on the other side of the field and they went with a two-high look that provided great field coverage. Interesting stuff to watch from three confident guys.

In my game recap, I talked about RG Chris Snee and RT Kareem McKenzie blocking on a run for RB Brandon Jacobs on the edge. Snee showed his ability on the edge again today when he pulled around the corner and whacked Boley. Snee is outstanding blocking in space, as he has shown many times over the years, including on WR Mario Manningham’s touchdown against the Cowboys last year.

With Tynes out of action, Ps Steve Weatherford and Matt Dodge handled short field goals. Weatherford was 2-for-2, Dodge was 1-for-2 as he shanked his second attempt wide left.

Coughlin wasn’t happy with C David Baas on one play. That would be due to the fact DT Chris Canty was in the backfield untouched. Baas is still working out the kinks.

I’m still waiting for DT Linval Joseph to bust out. He always looks like he’s right there but doesn’t quite finish his plays. For example, against Carolina, he would get great extension off the ball but as soon as you’d expect him to shed the blocker, he’d get locked up again. He did a bit of the same today in practice as well and Snee didn’t let him go. One play later, he sort of finished the play by getting rid of Baas, but it took a while. Joseph has all the tools; he just has to learn to make things happen more quickly.

* * * *

THE BACKUPS

TE Christian Hopkins had a nice spin move on a short stop-and-go routes to blow past Jackson in 1-on-1s. WR Todd Watkins then followed by beating Burnett for a TD, with Cruz then completing the trifecta with a touchdown on a short, quick slant past Rolle. The offense was hot at that point and in 1-on-1s in general.

One other Cruz highlight: he drew DB Darnell Burks up on a well-run route to open up space for WR Domenik Hixon in the end zone.

What a matchup today between LB Phillip Dillard and FB Henry Hynoski. Those two met head-on a couple of times with mixed results. Dillard got on the board first when he slammed into Hynoski and got him moving backward. But Hynoski came back with a huge stick on Dillard on a lead run. The last meeting was a bit of a stalemate. Dillard blasted Hynoski, but Hynoski held the block. Dillard then delivered the wood to OL Mitch Petrus on another play. Dillard was looking for contact today and he found it.

TE Jake Ballard had a breakthrough practice with a couple of receptions up the seam. He caught one up the right side over a tumbling LB Jonathan Goff (thanks to a great ball from Manning) and then hit the left side to get past Dillard (thanks to a great ball from QB David Carr).

CB Brian Witherspoon, fresh off a big game against Carolina in which his technique was almost flawless at times, turned his hips a bit too soon on a comeback route WR Duke Calhoun sold as a go route. A rare mistake by Witherspoon, at least as this camp has gone.

To be fair to Witherspoon, Calhoun had a great practice. He made the offensive play of the day when he leaped to catch a deep ball from QB Ryan Perrilloux up the right sideline and over Burks, who landed on the side of his head when he came down while Calhoun kept running for the TD.

Great coverage all around on one play in red-zone drills from DB Michael Coe, CB Aaron Ross and Jackson. Coe was tight to WR Devin Thomas on an out route while Jackson and Ross were all over WR Jerrel Jernigan up the middle.

* * * *

THE YOUNG GUYS

Perrilloux had a terrific session today. He caught Sims napping on one play and hit Clayton in stride on a deep ball. Later, he threw the aforementioned seam ball to Beckum and hit Devin Thomas on a deep in cut in front of Burnett.

I saw some physicality from LB Jacquian Williams in 9-on-7s, which is a good sign considering the Giants have pegged this guy as more of a “run-and-chase” linebacker. Whenever he sticks his nose in there, that’s what they want to see. Williams had another stop at the line on RB Andre Brown later in team drills

Big hit from OT Jarriel King on Paysinger. He’s an interesting guy, that King. He’s got great size (6-5, 321) and he’s not afraid to be physical. I’ll have to watch him more closely in the next game.

DT Marvin Austin came through on one play and was giving Petrus issues. I don’t think it was Petrus who let him through, just that once Austin penetrated he was all over Petrus.

Paysinger had a good-looking pass defensed on a wheel route for Brown up the left sideline. The rookie LB got his hands in there to knock out what was a good pass from Carr. Brown wasn’t happy he lost that mini-battle there.

I was surprised DE Justin Trattou didn’t make more noise in the preseason opener, given the amount of time he spent in backfields last week during practice. He was penetrating again today and was in there to stop RB Charles Scott.

I’m starting to notice LB Mark Herzlich’s form could be cleaner. Last week, I noted he came through with his head down. Today, he actually turned his back while trying to beat a block. I’m not sure if he was attempting a spin move of something, but once you have your back to a blocker, that’s an easy finish for the guy on offense. That guy was Pascoe, who easily pinned Herzlich there.

* * * *

And finally, the Giants signed former Packers and Ravens S Derrick Martin, according to Martin's agent. The fifth-year veteran was a sixth-round pick of Baltimore and played in 28 games for the Ravens before being traded to Green Bay. Martin appeared in 14 games for the Pack in 2009 and played in five games last season before being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.

The 5-10, 198-pound Martin should bring plenty of energy to the Giants on special teams and could provide safety depth as well. He had one interception last season before getting hurt.

No word yet on a corresponding move for Martin, though Giguere's injury could result in his being waived/injured.

 

[5Rings]

great thread, thanks Faust

 

[Faust]

Camp Confidential: Houston Texans

THREE HOT ISSUES

1) How quickly can Phillips shape the defense?

He's coming off a poor term as head coach in Dallas, but his track record as a coordinator is excellent.

Players on the Texans' defense say he’s funny, yet pointed. He’s already infused the group with confidence, and he quickly identified things that amounted to easy fixes. Mario Williams’ false step should disappear, for example, and Kareem Jackson is unlikely to be seen in press coverages.

“Wade Phillips and [linebackers coach Reggie Herring] have brought a credibility and a confidence to the system that they run,” said end-turned-outside-linebacker Connor Barwin. “I feel like it carries over to us. You know if you do what you’re coached up to do that it’s going to work.”

The change from a 4-3 to a 3-4 isn’t as extreme as some imagine, because Phillips’ 3-4 doesn’t demand a gigantic space-eating nose tackle, and it doesn’t ask linemen to be responsible for two gaps. The linemen are really playing roles akin to what they did in the previous system, with Williams now standing up as an on-the-line backer on the weak side.

Creating that matchup as often as possible is key, and Williams should be the centerpiece of the retooling.

Though Williams didn’t look comfortable in the preseason opener, end Antonio Smith thinks offenses will really struggle with Williams and his bull rush.

“It has not been stopped in camp yet,” Smith said. “Since he decided to do it, I ain’t seem him lose. You know what you need to do to beat a person. I think that throughout this camp, he’s figuring out how to use that. He’s added it into his bag of tricks and he’s going to figure out how to use it along with his other moves.”

Matt Schaub and Johnson have both talked about how many more balls are contested and broken up in a typical practice. That difference suggests the new philosophy’s growing on a unit that’s needed not just players like Johnathan Joseph and Danieal Manning but also the sort of direction Phillips is providing.

2) Will Arian Foster be able to have another big season on the ground?

It wasn’t long ago that Steve Slaton ran for 1,282 yards. He’s disappeared since the 2008 season, however.

Foster said that what he did over 16 games last season proved him capable and that the notion of a fluke is ridiculous. But for the Texans’ offense to get better, he’ll have to follow up his 1,616-yard season and rushing title with another big showing.

“When you come out and have a season like that, then everybody wants to see what you’re going to do the next season,” Johnson said. “I think that is important for him, to come out and show people that he is the guy that he was last year.

“I think he’ll do it, there is no doubt in my mind. Because he works hard and he plays with a chip on his shoulder.”

Houston’s play-action can be spectacular with Foster running as he did in 2010. His style is perfectly suited for the team’s blocking scheme, which encourages him to cut once and take all he can get.

Another big year will go a long way toward setting the Texans’ course.

3) Do enough guys have killer instinct?

The Texans' slow starts and inability to finish were major issues last season. Better personnel and coaching will need to be accompanied by a killer instinct this franchise has too frequently lacked.

“You could put it that way,” tight end Owen Daniels said. “There’s definitely never been a lack of effort. I think it’s been missed opportunities at finishing games. ... We need to find something different this year in order to close out those games.”

A guy like Johnson, soft-spoken but intense, certainly has a personality you can win with. But are the Texans, in total, too low key? I think it’s a fair question.

“You’ve got to have that [killer instinct],” said Manning, one of the key newcomers. “... If you believe, all this other stuff is going to come into play: working together, supporting your man, pushing him, making him work hard, holding him accountable. All that stuff goes hand in hand. I’ve never seen a championship team that didn’t believe, that didn’t finish.”

BIGGEST SURPRISE

When they grabbed him during the 2010 season, I don’t think the Texans expected much from veteran cornerback Jason Allen. But the secondary was better with him than it was without him. Now, with a fresh start, he’s mounting a serious challenge to Jackson, the 2010 first-round draft pick. The team would be well served to go with Allen if things come out roughly even. Jackson’s seasoning would be better for now as a role player.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Antwaun Molden looks the part as a 6-foot-1, 200-pound corner. But the team has finally stopped talking up the fourth-year man from Eastern Kentucky. He’s not sturdy enough and doesn’t show enough gumption to be a factor in a group where he’s had a chance to add some depth. He had an interception in the preseason opener, but only after he committed a penalty that washed it away.

OBSERVATION DECK

• Joel Dreessen is consistently underrated. Dreessen can block and, while not as dynamic as Daniels, has a knack for finding open spaces and presenting himself to Schaub. The Texans have a lot of quality tight ends. Look for the team to put three tights on the field at times, when they can operate as a heavy package or shift Daniels, Dreessen, James Casey or Garrett Graham into space, depending on the defensive personnel. Anthony Hill is the blocker of the bunch.

• After facing questions about durability, Schaub’s played two full seasons. Now the questions are about play in the clutch. He needs to eliminate moments like the one where he threw an overtime pick-six against Baltimore last season.

• I expect the Texans to look closely at receivers when the league cuts down rosters. Dorin Dickerson currently looks to be fourth in line, but I saw him fighting some passes in practices and he’s still relatively new to the position. Jeff Maehl heads the undrafted group but didn’t look great either. Receiver depth is an issue.

• Inside linebacker Darryl Sharpton could be the best non-starter on the roster come opening day. He’s in a tough spot behind DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing, though injuries are often in play with Cushing.

• Myers is a key cog in making the Texans’ offensive line work, and he could be taking his place right alongside Jeff Saturday as an indispensable center in the division.

• The team could be an injury away from trouble at end and safety.

• Trindon Holliday’s speed is not enough for him to overcome his size as even a situational receiver. Plus, he seems easily hurt. The return jobs are open if the team wants to avoid using Jacoby Jones as the punt returner and Manning as the kick returner.

• Undrafted rookie Brett Hartmann beating out veteran punter Brad Maynard is a definite possibility.

• Count me among those not convinced that Matt Leinart can’t play. If this team needs a few spots starts, I bet he can do OK. One of the NFL’s quarterback-needy teams was foolish not to add Leinart to the mix. He’s better than a lot of guys with a chance to start some games this season.

• Lawrence Vickers is better equipped to work as the fullback than Casey, and he should get far more frequent opportunities to lead the way for Foster.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

This thread is AWESOME.

Great job, Faust.

 

[Faust]

What the Redskins see in John Beck

A few excerpts:

Beck missed practice last week and the Redskins' preseason opener Friday due to a groin injury. Rex Grossman, his nominal competition for the starting quarterback's job, played very well, leading some to believe Grossman had become the front-runner. But those who would say that haven't spoken with Shanahan, the Redskins' head coach, or his son Kyle, their offensive coordinator. When you talk to those guys, you get the definite impression that they want Beck to win this job, because they think he can be great.

"It's kind of funny that everyone gets so surprised about Beck, because everyone in the NFL thought Beck was somewhere from the best to the fourth-best quarterback in that entire (2007) draft when he came out," Kyle Shanahan told me. "That's why he went in the second round. And when I evaluated them, I thought he was the best."

"Anybody who watched him in college, he's a hell of a quarterback," Shanahan said. "If you look at his career, he really hasn't had an opportunity to show that he can or cannot do it. But everything we see in practice, everything I've seen with him, it's the exact same that he showed in college. He's a very good thrower. He can get rid of it quick -- very similar to Marc Bulger in his throwing motion, how he can just get rid of it at any time. He's got a lot of zip on his ball. He does have a strong arm. And when it comes to his mobility, he'll surprise people. He can move around in the pocket, he can outflank the defense, and he can move the chains with his feet, too."

This is why the Redskins want to see Beck, even having seen Grossman do well in his first crack at it. They believe Beck's athleticism brings an element that Grossman does not. What they don't know is whether Beck can handle the opportunity, since they don't think he's ever had it.

"He's very confident," Shanahan said. "He believes in himself, and he should, because he's a talented guy who should be a starting quarterback in the NFL. Now, we've got to see how he plays when the lights come on. We'll put him in the game and see how he handles the pressure of being the guy. If he can handle the pressure, we know he's capable from an athletic standpoint."

That's the word both Shanahans use when they talk about Beck -- "know," not "think." Kyle and Mike Shanahan project absolute confidence in their evaluation of Beck. They say the four games he started for the 2007 Dolphins -- a 1-15 team that ranks as one of the worst ever -- are a poor gauge.

"I've been doing this for a few years. I know people that can play," Mike Shanahan told me. "So I don't even worry about what people say. I know John Beck can play in this league. Why hasn't he played? Why hasn't he had a chance? I really don't care what the different thought processes are, but I know John can play in this league. He hasn't had a chance. Everybody needs a supporting cast, so we'll do the best we can to give him a good supporting cast -- him and Rex -- and give those guys a chance to compete."

 

[Faust]

Rapid Reaction: Texans 20, Jets 16

Thoughts from the Jets' 20-16 loss to the Texans in a preseason version of "Monday Night Football."

WHAT IT MEANS: Seven months after their crushing loss to the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game, the Jets began another Super Bowl quest Monday night. Rex Ryan’s cast of characters hasn’t changed much since then and, despite a loss to the Texans, there were enough positives to make it a successful preseason opener. They should’ve pulled it out, but rookie reciever Michael Campbell dropped a potential touchdown pass in the final minute.

ON THE MARK: After some spotty practice performances, quarterback Mark Sanchez (6-for-7, 43 yards) stepped up in prime time and was on point with every pass. His lone incompletion was a drop by backup tight end Matt Mulligan. With two starters missing from the offensive line, the Jets kept it conservative, calling only quick throws for Sanchez. But give him credit for his accuracy; that’s an area he’s working to improve. Sanchez was pulled after one quarter and, no, he didn’t want to fight Ryan to get back on the field.

KEY INJURY: The Jets lost backup center Rob Turner (lower leg) to a potentially serious injury. This injury won’t grab big headlines, but it’s costly because of Turner’s versatility. He can play center, guard, tight end and blocks in the wedge on kickoff returns. Turner, who started for the injured Nick Mangold, was carted off in the first quarter and replaced by third-stringer Robby Felix. Luckily for the Jets, Mangold should be back to practice this week.

THIN LINE: Just the other day, Ryan boasted that the Jets’ top seven offensive linemen are the best in the league. It’s not looking that way now. Not only is Turner out, but second-year lineman Vladimir Ducasse was awful.

Ducasse, who started for injured lineman Brandon Moore, allowed a sack at right guard and another at right tackle. The first sack came on the play in which Turner was injured; Ducasse’s failure to hold off defensive end J.J. Watt put Turner in a vulnerable position. Ducasse also got some work at left guard, where -- hooray -- he didn’t allow a sack.

If Turner’s injury is long term, the Jets will have to sign an experienced backup center. It’s a thin market. In fact, the best available center might be former Giant Shaun O’Hara.

THE PLAXICO VOID: The biggest story of the game -- Plaxico Burress -- wasn’t at the game. He was home, nursing an ankle injury and schmoozing with ESPN’s Mike Tirico in a phone interview during the fourth quarter. (In case you’re wondering, Burress reiterated that he expects to practice full on Wednesday.) Without Burress, the other new receiver, Derrick Mason, was in a prominent role. Mason caught all three passes thrown to him for 21 yards -- a solid debut, considering his lack of practice time with Sanchez.

THE ROOKIES: It was a nice start for the Jets’ draft class, especially nose tackle Kenrick Ellis (one batted pass), QB Greg McElroy (208 yards passing) and WR/KR Jeremy Kerley (32.5 average on kickoff returns). Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson started the game, but didn’t have any wow moments -- although he did have an offsides penalty. Running back Bilal Powell (nine carries, 25 yards) also played well and could push Joe McKnight for the No. 3 tailback job. McKnight left with a possible concussion.

KID QB: With backup QB Mark Brunell (finger) sitting out, McElroy played the second, third and fourth quarters, leading the offense to three field goals and a touchdown (2-yard scoring pass to Patrick Turner). McElroy lost a fumble on a strip sack, but he kept his composure and demonstrated some of the attributes that led the Jets to draft him in the seventh round -- smarts, poise and accuracy. Too bad he doesn’t have a gun.

WHAT A COMEBACK: Eight months removed from breaking his shin in a freak practice collision, safety Jim Leonhard was back on the field, back in the Jets’ starting lineup. It was a welcomed sight for the defense, which relies on Leonhard to make calls on the field.

INJURY WATCH: Linebacker Bart Scott hurt his left ankle/leg on the first play of the game. The replay looked bad, but he returned on the second series. He watched most of the second half with a huge wrap on his leg. Stay tuned.

INACTIVES: QB Mark Brunell, WR Plaxico Burress, C Nick Mangold, RG Brandon Moore, LB Brandon Long, G Trevor Canfield. The Texans played without RB Arian Foster and WR Andre Johnson, their offensive stars.

 

[Faust]

Observation Deck: Jets-Texans

The Houston Texans are scheduled for only one prime-time game in the regular season, Week 16 at Indianapolis. But the new-look Texans got the Monday Night Football spotlight on the opening weekend of the preseason.

Viewers saw a team already thinned out at running back get thinner as a revamped defense did some nice things in a 20-16 win over the New York Jets.

One man's quick observations…

1. The Texans lacked some of firepower, with Andre Johnson (finger), Arian Foster (hamstring), Brian Cushing (knee) and prize free-agent cornerback Johnathan Joseph (groin) sitting out. We saw more, sooner, of Jacoby Jones, Derrick Ward, Darryl Sharpton and Jason Allen as a result.

2. Ward started and didn’t last long before suffering a head injury, leaving the team with only Chris Ogbonnaya and Javarris Williams as its running backs. Houston tried running Ogbonnaya inside too much, but got him going more as a bootleg pass target for Matt Leinart. He caught a short touchdown pass among his team-high six receptions for 67 yards. He ran for the game-winning touchdown from a yard out with just under 2:00 left.

3. Ankle injuries to Antoine Caldwell and Kasey Studdard could mean the team could be thinned for a time at guard as well.

4. Matt Schaub hit on just 2 of 5 passes before yielding to Leinart. Schaub was just a touch off and two of his targets, Owen Daniels and Kevin Walter, were unable to pull in balls they got their hands on.

5. The Texans shouldn’t feel obligated to use James Casey as the first-string fullback just because he was the primary plan once Vonta Leach left. They later signed free-agent Lawrence Vickers. He shouldn’t be waiting until the second half for a chance to impact the game. He quickly had a 22-yard catch and run.

6. Second-string inside linebacker Xavier Adibi had a nice night, though he was unblocked on one of his two sacks. Another No. 2, outside linebacker Jesse Nading, was also productive with a sack and a forced fumble. Second-round pick Brooks Reed looked good, showing good burst at the snap. He had one good rush followed by a nice recognition in which he stopped chasing to jump and knock down a pass.

7. The late work of undrafted rookie outside linebacker Bryan Braman out of West Texas A&M is the sort that makes a guy impossible to hide for a practice squad spot. No matter the caliber of the people attempting to block him, he showed a knack for getting to the quarterback, even if he allowed rookie quarterback Greg McElroy to shrug out of a sure sack on the final possession of the game.

8. Will Demps fielded kickoffs and punts early on without much affect. Trindon Holliday was out hurt and the team wisely didn’t choose to look at Jones and Danieal Manning, veteran starters who didn’t need to be exposed to injury risk on special teams.

 

[Faust]

Five things to take away from Jets-Texans preseason game

The biggest headline from Monday night's meeting between the New York Jets and Houston Texans was all the star power that was missing -- Andre Johnson and Brian Cushing and Arian Foster and Plaxico Burress and Nick Mangold -- but there was still plenty to glean from the exercise:

1) The Texans showed a little bit on defense. The switch to the 3-4 still leaves plenty of questions, and yes, Mangold wasn't anchoring New York's line, but Houston hit Mark Sanchez and came up with a few stands. I still wonder if they have a true nose tackle to allow them to play the run the way, say, Casey Hampton would. They were a fired-up bunch, however, with Mario Williams screaming to his teammates pre-game about changing their culture and identity on defense.

2) Derrick Mason will be a factor. The guy is a borderline Hall of Famer and classic overachiever and he is fired up after the Ravens let him go. Spoke to him for a bit before the game and he definitely has a chip on his shoulder. Sanchez looked for him a lot and when Mason and Santonio Holmes were in the slot together, the Texans had no answers.

3) The Texans are running out of running backs. They were down to two before the game began, with Foster and Steve Slaton and Ben Tate all banged up, then Derrick Ward left with a head injury in the second series of the game. I know most of these injuries aren't thought to be long-term, but I can't help but wonder if a free agent like Clinton Portis, who once upon a time excelled in this zone scheme, might be worth a phone call. (Chris Ogbonnaya, the last back standing, had 16 touches and 86 combined yards in the first half alone.)

4) Will the Jets get vertical? As much as I love what Mason and Holmes can do, I can't help but wonder how long it will take Plaxico Burress to come around and who will help expand this offense? Might be a lot of dinking and dunking and I still have a feeling there will be a heavy dose of ground and pound as well (Shonn Greene had a nice preseason debut, by the way).

5) Matt Leinart bears watching. Maybe, just maybe, the light bulb is flickering on, at least a little bit. Coach Gary Kubiak has been heaping praise upon him and he made some plays against the Jets. He figures to see ample time this preseason and perhaps he will reward Houston's investment in him. Not sure he could be a downfield passer, but maybe he could be something of a game manager.

 

[Faust]

Redskins camp report: Most eyes fixed on QB competition

Observation deck

1. The quarterback competition is taking shape. John Beck was back at practice after missing time with a groin injury, and his passes were razor sharp. Still, he's a guy who hasn't started a game since 2007. Beck has his work cut out for him, especially after the way Rex Grossman looked in practice and during 26 pass attempts in the preseason opener. One thing that was clear during my visit, the competition is down to these two barring injury. The Redskins believe they can succeed with the winner of this battle. At this point, I would pick Grossman to win the competition.

2. The defensive line is headed in the right direction. Thank goodness Albert Haynesworth is gone, and the defense can focus on improving from its 31st ranking from a year ago. The Redskins took two solid defensive linemen from division opponents in signing Barry Cofield (Giants) and Stephen Bowen (Dallas). The Redskins' 3-4 defense will be on the move with all the quickness the two new guys possess. There's a chance the defense can stop the run with seven in the box and won't always need to bring a safety down to help.

3. The inside linebackers could provide more pressure. Brian Orakpo is already an established pass rusher, and first-round pick Ryan Kerrigan is emerging on the other side. That duo will force teams to go to fan protections at some point, which means the offensive tackles step out to block the outside linebackers and the guard steps out to block the defensive end. The Redskins will react to that protection scheme the same way the Pittsburgh Steelers do when LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison face it by blitzing the inside linebackers. Look for London Fletcher and Rocky McIntosh to get the green light to come after the quarterback this year.

4. Tight end Fred Davis could be in line for a breakout season. Chris Cooley is sidelined with a knee injury and Davis is taking full advantage of the situation. As Mike Shanahan said, "Fred is down to 242 pounds from 260 last year, and he's a lot quicker."

New guys to watch

» 1. Ryan Kerrigan. The rookie has pass rush skills and is working on his pass drops. He could have seven to nine sacks this year with what one teammate called "a tireless motor." Kerrigan will be challenged early in his zone drops to have proper angles, the depth of his drops, holding off routes, and not biting on teaser routes. Grossman pointed out a sign or Kerrigan's development, saying "Ryan cut under a route with a great drop and forced me to look elsewhere."

»2. Jabar Gaffney. You might wonder why Gaffney, a veteran receiver acquired in a trade with Denver, made this list, but he was a teammate of Grossman's at the University of Florida and they definitely have reconnected in a big way.

»3. Roy Helu. Coaches and front office people are very pleased with the speedy running back, who was drafted in the fourth round. He's a candidate for the third-down job and could potentially get some work on other downs.

Overheard

"Cofield's pass pressure from the nose tackle (position) in the first preseason game was something we hardly ever saw in the 2010 season."

--A Redskins coach

Prediction

There will be upward of 10 new starters this season, which is nothing new to fans who have watched the team try to buy a championship in years past. The difference this time is that the club went after character guys who understand they are here to compete for a job. The Redskins will be a tough out this year and could finish 8-8. With a little luck, they could get to nine wins and be a wild-card candidate.

 

[Faust]

NFC East training-camp reports

DALLAS COWBOYS

Juiciest story line: The lack of juice has been interesting, even with Rob Ryan. The new defensive coordinator has lived up to his name by being bombastic and fiery, but he hasn't been the lightning rod many expected. Instead, his juice mostly has been in his innovative system, which will use different personnel packages, unusual looks and pressure schemes. His comments about an "all-hype team" might not have been aimed only at the Eagles, but also at his brother's team, the Jets.

Player to watch: Most eyes are on first-round ORT Tyron Smith, one of the younger players in the NFL who is slated to start from Day One. But the team already is helping him by moving Kyle Kosier from left to right guard to be on Smith's hip with Montrae Holland currently out injured, and you can bet there will be a lot of multiple-TE formations to help Smith.

Strongest position: Linebacker could be scary good, especially with Ryan pushing the buttons. We know about DeMarcus Ware, and the other returning starters (OLB Anthony Spencer and ILBs Bradie James and Keith Brooking). But Sean Lee could unseat Brooking, and Victor Butler might be Ryan's most interesting toy. He has used Butler in a variety of spots: over the nose in a three-man line, standing up and rushing from different gaps. A few undrafted rookies — Oklahoma State's Orie Lemon and Boston College's Alex Albright — also have flashed. When second-rounder Bruce Carter gets on the field, look out.

Weakest position: The backups on the offensive line have no experience whatsoever. With Holland and C Andre Gurode hurt, Phil Costa (four NFL games) is a starter along with Smith (zero starts). Kosier is at a new position, and OLT Doug Free has only a year of starting under his belt. David Arkin, impressive as he has been in camp so far, is the best-looking backup. No one else has started an NFL game, which is frightening. Expect them to comb the waiver wire for help.

NEW YORK GIANTS

Juiciest story line: Clearly, the team needs some calm here, and it has to mend fences with DE Osi Umenyiora. Head coach Tom Coughlin doesn't want to compromise his values, but he also knows he can't have too many more bad vibes rippling through this team. Umenyiora, even when he wasn't completely satisfied last season, also turned in a monster campaign. They need him to play and play well.

Player to watch: Second-year DT Linval Joseph might be first in line to replace Barry Cofield, but second-round pick Marvin Austin will play a lot as a rookie if healthy. A hip flexor has set him back a bit in camp, but even missing last season hasn't dwindled the team's hope that Austin will be a big contributor in Year One. He might not be as stout as Joseph but is more athletic and could be a quality penetrator.

Strongest position: With receiver taking a hit with the loss of Steve Smith and the offensive line in transition, it's probably the offensive backfield with RBs Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs leading the way and some interesting depth with D.J. Ware, Charles Scott, Andre Brown and Da'Rel Scott. Not all of those backs will make the team, but they provide different styles and could make the run game more dynamic. It might have to be if the receivers are not up to par.

Weakest position: It remains linebacker, which was the weak spot last season. The move of Mathias Kiwanuka to a stand-up position on first and second downs should help put another playmaker on the field, and the team almost certainly will play with only one or two linebackers on the field in nickel and dime situations. It's just not an overly talented, deep or versatile position.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Juiciest story line: One of the more intriguing situations is at cornerback, where three Pro Bowlers still roam. Is there room for all of them? On the opening defensive series of the first preseason game, Asante Samuel was the left corner, and Nnamdi Asomugha was the right corner, with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie coming on at nickel. Depending on how the linebackers play, they could use their nickel package more often than not.

Player to watch: Casey Matthews is the starting middle linebacker until he's knocked from his spot. He has handled all the defensive signals from his first training-camp practice and so far has been impressive. Considering the linebackers are considered the most questionable spot on defense — and, of course, considering his last name — Matthews will be a man in focus this preseason.

Strongest position: Samuel might be a gambler, Asomugha might have only 11 career picks and Rodgers-Cromartie has been up and down since entering the league, but whom are we kidding? This kind of depth and talent at cornerback is rare. If you also consider that the Eagles have an experienced nickel back in Joselio Hanson and two recent draft picks in Trevard Lindley and Curtis Marsh, the depth is exceptional. Don't be shocked if Hanson — not Samuel — ends up on another roster.

Weakest position: Matthews might prove to be a quick study, but will he make plays? The same can be asked about the other projected LB starters, Jamar Chaney and Moise Fokou, both of whom are in new spots. The team doesn't value linebacker as much as other positions, so you often will see only two 'backers on the field.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Juiciest story line: Clearly, the QB battle will be the story of August. It appeared to be John Beck's job to lose, but Mike Shanahan since has softened that stance and hinted that Rex Grossman very much is in the mix. Grossman stunned some folks when he predicted the Redskins would win the NFC East, but we hear the bravado went over well in the locker room.

Player to watch: OLT Trent Williams, who had an up-and-down rookie season, showed up to camp looking more svelte and ready to go. Now he must master the all-for-one zone scheme that favors athleticism and precision over sheer power, and the sky could be the limit.

Strongest position: Chris Cooley's left knee injury isn't considered serious — yet. So, assuming he's healthy, tight end is in good shape with Cooley, Fred Davis, Logan Paulsen and Mike Sellers (who has moved from fullback). The secondary also could be a strength if some depth is found and the cornerbacks are more consistent. LaRon Landry, the Redskins' best defender last season, is still out with an Achilles tendon injury.

Weakest position: Until someone steps up, it's quarterback. There are myriad issues all over, but Beck and Grossman are questions until they step up and make plays — and do so in regular-season games. Beck has not taken advantage of a golden opportunity, having been slowed by a groin injury.

 

[Faust]

NFC West training-camp reports

ARIZONA CARDINALS

Juiciest story line: A heated battle has only just begun in the desert for the No. 1 RB job between former first-rounder Beanie Wells and second-round rookie Ryan Williams. Wells, who just turned 23, entered camp with a hardly secure hold on the starter's role over Williams, who has wasted little time showing off the skills that led the Cardinals to believe he was the best back available in the draft.

Player to watch: Second-year OLB O'Brien Schofield entered camp under the radar, but team insiders are intrigued by his pass-rush potential. With Joey Porter failing to meet expectations last season, the Cardinals remain in dire need of a consistent outside pass rusher. Schofield, who was held back initially as a rookie by a torn ACL suffered in a Senior Bowl practice, could be best-suited to fill the bill.

Strongest position: In one fell swoop, tight end went from being arguably the weakest position to the strongest position. Newcomers Todd Heap, a local product who offers a receiving dimension at the position that has been lacking for a long time, and Jeff King, a quality blocker, join third-round rookie Rob Housler and serviceable second-year pro Jim Dray. Housler is regarded by many as a younger version of Heap.

Weakest position: Outside linebacker. We already have mentioned Porter, who agreed to a pay cut, and Schofield, who has great potential but is unproven. The same goes for fourth-round rookie Sam Acho and third-year pro Will Davis, who is expected to challenge the aging Clark Haggans on the left side. Davis has some talent, but he also has had problems staying healthy.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Juiciest story line: Niners Nation is waiting with bated breath to see if Alex Smith, who had been given an increasingly shaky endorsement as the starting quarterback after signing a one-year contract, can fend off second-round rookie Colin Kaepernick. Head coach Jim Harbaugh opened the door for an open competition after Kaepernick looked better than Smith in the preseason opener.

Player to watch: Will new WR Braylon Edwards continue to foster his bad-apple reputation in the Bay Area? Harbaugh is counting on fellow Michigan alum Edwards, a former Pro Bowler, to keep his nose clean and fill a badly needed void at wideout with Michael Crabtree in mothballs for the third offseason in a row. With legal issues continuing to hover over Edwards like a hungry vulture, a compelling drama could be about to unfold.

Strongest position: Vernon Davis and a slimmed-down Delanie Walker could end up providing the most dynamic one-two punch in the league at tight end. Coming off a season in which he had a career-high 16.3 yards per catch (tops among NFL tight ends), Davis is once again widely expected to be the Niners' leading receiver in an offense expected to use plenty of two-TE formations. A friskier Walker could pose a big threat in the slot.

Weakest position: Red flags stick out like a sore thumb at wide receiver. Can Crabtree come back strong from his latest foot ailment and be ready to go full tilt in Week One? Will inconsistency, dropped passes and off-the-field baggage continue to weigh down Edwards? Can Joshua Morgan avoid his penchant for breakdowns? Can Ted Ginn Jr. become more of a downfield force than he was last season, when he pretty much became a nonfactor after hurting his knee in the season opener? You get the picture.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Juiciest story line: The roster turnover that reached ridiculous heights last year (284 transactions) is ongoing. Only 16 players from the team that head coach Pete Carroll inherited in January 2010 are on the 90-man roster. With a new starting quarterback (Tarvaris Jackson), a new No. 1 wideout (Sidney Rice), a new No. 1 tight end (Zach Miller) and major changes on both lines, at linebacker and in the secondary, the Seahawks are younger, bigger and deeper. But will they be better?

Rookie to watch: Kam Chancellor isn't just stepping in at strong safety for the departed Lawyer Milloy. The 6-3, 232-pound second-year pro also has stepped into a leadership role in the secondary and on the defense. A fifth-round pick in 2010, he provides the physical presence in the secondary that Carroll needs to play his style of defense.

Strongest position: You could consider dismissing our claim that running back is the strongest position, based on the fact that Seattle ranked 31st in rushing offense last season. But it was the team's injury-depleted offensive line that was primarily responsible for that lowly ranking. There is depth and a variety of skills to choose from among Marshawn Lynch, Justin Forsett and Leon Washington, who is another 12 months removed from his severely broken leg and showing even more quickness and explosiveness.

Weakest position: The lack of depth at linebacker has to be a huge concern. Draft picks Malcolm Smith and K.J. Wright and rookie free agent Mike Morgan collectively constitute a huge downgrade from last year's backups, who were led by the versatile Will Herring, a free-agent signee with the Saints. In addition, SLB Aaron Curry has yet to justify his first-round billing, and reclamation project Leroy Hill must stay healthy on the weak side, as well as stay out of trouble off the field.

ST. LOUIS RAMS

Juiciest story line: Will the Rams' free-agent frenzy pay off? The team signed 11 free agents in a 10-day span, including five projected starters (SS Quintin Mikell, ORG Harvey Dahl, WR Mike Sims-Walker, DT Justin Bannan and WLB Zac Diles). In addition, Cadillac Williams and Jerious Norwood shape up as solid backups behind offensive workhorse Steven Jackson.

Player to watch: After emphatically justifying his selection as the 2010 draft's first overall pick, QB Sam Bradford will try to pick up where he left off, in a revamped offense under new coordinator Josh McDaniels that is expected to be a lot more wide-open. Last year Bradford gained only 6.0 yards per pass attempt the lowest among starting QBs except for Carolina's Jimmy Clausen. Look for a big spike in that stat this season.

Strongest position: Dare we say running back? The lack of depth behind Pro Bowl RB Steven Jackson had been considered a major weakness for a long time. But Williams, a former No. 1 back with the Buccaneers who was very effective in spot duty behind LeGarrette Blount last season, and Norwood (career 5.3 yards per carry with the Falcons) would appear to have filled that void and provide a very attractive change of pace when Jackson needs a blow.

Weakest position: There's no denying the sudden quantity at wide receiver, with 12 contenders opening camp for six or seven WR spots. But the quality is a different story altogether. Slot machine Danny Amendola is certainly dependable, but after that, there are issues galore. Sims-Walker is a quality red-zone target (14 TD catches the past two seasons) but extremely erratic. Donnie Avery and Danario Alexander, meanwhile, have big-time injury concerns.

 

[Faust]

NFC North training-camp reports

CHICAGO BEARS

Juiciest story line: Will GM Jerry Angelo's strategy of signing retreads like WR Roy Williams and DT Amobi Okoye backfire? Angelo is betting that these players, signed to one-year contracts, will be motivated to put themselves in position to cash in next offseason. If Williams rekindles the magic and returns to the form he displayed playing for Mike Martz in Detroit, Chicago's passing game could take off.

Player to watch: This is Jay Cutler's third season in Chicago, his second season in Martz's offense, and Bears fans want to see him live up to the expectations they had for him when he was acquired in 2009. How will he respond after being ripped for not playing through an MCL sprain in the NFC championship game?

Strongest position: The front seven as a whole is solid, but the linebackers are the firm backbone of the team. MLB Brian Urlacher and WLB Lance Briggs are Pro Bowlers, and Nick Roach is a decent player on the strong side.

Weakest position: The personnel has changed at four of the five starting spots, but the story remains the same — Chicago's offensive line is a potential disaster. The Bears are counting on two young players — OLT J'Marcus Webb and ORT Gabe Carimi — to serve as bookends, Roberto Garza is a better right guard, but he's playing center, and OGs Chris Williams and Lance Louis are far from dependable.

DETROIT LIONS

Juiciest story line: Detroit is regarded as a potential sleeper after finishing 2010 strongly, but it plays in a tough division and already has seen two key rookies get hurt: DT Nick Fairley (foot) and RB Mikel Leshoure (Achilles tendon). Leshoure is out for the season, and Fairley is out for at least the first part of the preseason. If the Lions are to make a playoff run, this early adversity cannot throw them off track.

Player to watch: QB Matthew Stafford has missed 19 of his first 32 NFL regular-season games because of injury. The No. 1 overall pick in 2009, Stafford is exceptionally gifted. Now, all eyes are on how he fares in regular-season play after missing most of last season with a right shoulder injury. He was sharp in his preseason debut, throwing two TD passes.

Strongest position: The Lions' defensive line is the strength of the club. DT Ndamukong Suh already deserves to be mentioned among the best at his position. DE Cliff Avril is a promising, young pass rusher. Fairley could be a force once he gets healthy, catches up and learns the pro game.

Weakest position: The Lions have significant concerns at offensive tackle. OLT Jeff Backus (pectoral) is out for the time being, although he is expected to be ready for the regular season. ORT Gosder Cherilus is coming off microfracture knee surgery. The depth behind the starters is somewhat questionable, too.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Juiciest story line: With TE Jermichael Finley back in the mix after being limited to five games last season because of his second major knee injury in the past two seasons, will there be enough catches to go around in the Packers' power-packed receiving corps? Making that question even juicier is the fact that both Finley and up-and-coming WR Jordy Nelson are in their contract years, with Finley supposedly setting his sights on Vernon Davis-type money ($23 million guaranteed).

Player to watch: It's starting to look like first-round draft pick Derek Sherrod could be counted on to follow in the footsteps of 2010 first-rounder Bryan Bulaga and become an immediate starter on the offensive line. Supposedly destined to become the heir apparent for the aging Chad Clifton at left tackle, Sherrod opened camp holding down the starting OLG spot vacated by Daryn Colledge, who signed with Arizona. Sherrod's early play at the position has been up and down, which could trigger a takeover by third-year pro T.J. Lang.

Strongest position: Green Bay's secondary is second to none. Defensive leader Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams and up-and-coming Sam Shields provide an imposing triple threat at cornerback; Nick Collins is widely considered among the league's top safeties; and second-year pro Morgan Burnett has shot out of the training-camp gate with a flourish in his quest to recapture the starting SS job from worthy competitor Charlie Peprah.

Weakest position: The loss of Cullen Jenkins, who signed with the Eagles, weakens the defensive line. The Packers are toying with a revamped front to help compensate for Jenkins' departure that would shift Ryan Pickett from left end to nose tackle and B.J. Raji from nose tackle to Jenkins' DRE spot. In any event, projected starter Mike Neal must prove he can stay healthy after going down for the count with a shoulder injury last season, and Pickett and Howard Green must continue defying Father Time.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Juiciest story line: Other than the team perhaps moving to L.A.? Other than Brad Childress saying Randy Moss "vomited" on the locker room last season? We'll stick to on-the-field stuff. Donovan McNabb must take control of the offense and prove the team made the right call by trading for him. Christian Ponder has started slowly, so the McNabb move is looking smarter by the day, but the veteran has to put last season firmly behind him.

Player to watch: Erin Henderson, brother of starting MLB E.J. Henderson, is a near-lock to be the starting weak-side linebacker with Ben Leber gone. Sixth-rounder Ross Homan could push Henderson at some point, with Kenny Onatolu still dealing with a stress fracture in his left foot, but for now Henderson is the guy. He hasn't shown a diverse set of skills but is athletic.

Strongest position: It might be tight end eventually, but Visanthe Shiancoe has a hamstring injury and Kyle Rudolph hasn't seized the opportunity in his absence. Oddly, it might be linebacker, even with the WLB situation. E.J. Henderson and Chad Greenway are two reliable playmakers who lead the defense.

Weakest position: The offensive line was a question mark even before OLT Bryant McKinnie was cut for being out of shape. Now, it's a major issue, especially with ex-Colt Charlie Johnson, McKinnie's successor, struggling so far. The only sure thing is OLG Steve Hutchinson, and he's coming off a thumb injury that ended his 2010 season after 11 games. Plus, Hutchinson is on the back end of his career, turning 34 on Nov. 1.

 

[Faust]

NFC South training-camp reports

ATLANTA FALCONS

Juiciest story line: The team's one big free-agent addition, DE Ray Edwards, is recovering from offseason knee surgery, head coach Mike Smith recently announced. The injury kept Edwards out of the first preseason game. When will he be ready to play? The Falcons have title aspirations this season and they need Edwards (16½ sacks the past two seasons) to help improve their pass rush.

Player to watch: Sixth-round pick Matt Bosher is in line to kick off, punt and hold on placekicks. It's a lot for a rookie to handle right away, and Mike Smith has said he's anxious to see how Bosher performs under pressure. Atlanta will be in a jam if he doesn't respond well.

Strongest position: Pairing first-round rookie Julio Jones with All-Pro Roddy White gives the Falcons one of the league's top WR tandems, and it should help the team's passing game reach new heights. White is already an elite player, and Jones has the ability to join him in that rare category of players.

Weakest position: Garrett Reynolds has the lead over Mike Johnson in the competition to be the starting right guard. Both players have good size, but they don't have game experience, and if one of them doesn't pan out, the Falcons don't have a trusted veteran to turn to.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Juiciest story line: Jimmy Clausen was named the starter in the first preseason game, but will first overall pick Cam Newton pass him on the depth chart before Week One? The Panthers would like to see that happen, but what will they do if neither player establishes himself as the obvious choice to start?

Player to watch: One of the training-camp surprises is Eric Norwood, a fourth-round pick in 2010. He passed Everette Brown on the depth chart for the starting spot at right end. Norwood was a tweener when he entered the league, spending time at linebacker and end last season, but he's playing end exclusively this season.

Strongest position: Re-signing DeAngelo Williams allowed the Panthers to keep a loaded arsenal of running backs. With Williams and Jonathan Stewart serving as one of the league's top rushing tandems, Mike Goodson, who had two 100-yard games last year, is the very capable third back.

Weakest position: The QB group Clausen, Newton, Derek Anderson and Tony Pike doesn't inspire much confidence. Newton and Clausen have great upside, but they're developing. Bad decision making and costly turnovers could be the norm under center for the Panthers.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Juiciest story line: Sources in New Orleans are saying 2011 is feeling a lot like '09 the season they won the Super Bowl at Saints camp. The team did an outstanding job of filling in gaps, and keeping other ones from opening, in free agency, and there already was a strong core in place.

Player to watch: New Orleans is preparing to be without its best defensive end, DRE Will Smith, for the first four games of the season while he serves a suspension, stemming from the StarCaps case. It's not clear who will start in his place, but free-agent addition Turk McBride is listed as his top backup and could be the best option to fill in. Jeff Charleston is also competing for reps at the position.

Strongest position: The offensive line is very solid as a whole, but the Saints are particularly well-equipped at guard with OLG Carl Nicks and ORG Jahri Evans. Both players are All-Pro caliber and in their prime. There isn't great depth at the position, but the starters are durable Evans and Nicks have never missed a game.

Weakest position: There are several players competing to start, and make the roster, at outside linebacker, but it's one of the few areas where the Saints lack star power. There are some young players who have to emerge and some decent but unremarkable veterans.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Juiciest story line: Can rookie DEs Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers make the instant pass-rushing impact that the Bucs need? Tampa Bay spent its top two picks on the tandem in this year's draft, and expectations are high for them.

Player to watch: It's expected that WR Arrelious Benn, a second-round pick in 2010, will be the starting flanker, but it's not yet clear when he'll be ready to assume that role. He's still trying to return from ACL surgery and didn't play in the first preseason game. Benn's recovery will be monitored closely. He has breakout potential if healthy.

Strongest position: The Bucs have a good trio at corner. Ronde Barber and Aqib Talib are the starters, and E.J. Biggers is a quality nickel back. Barber doesn't make many mistakes, and Talib is a playmaker with 15 interceptions in his first three seasons. Biggers can fill in well if one of the starters suffers an injury.

Weakest position: It's asking a lot of Mason Foster and Tyrone McKenzie the two contenders to start at middle linebacker (Foster is first on the depth chart) to step in and replace Barrett Ruud without missing a beat. Foster, a rookie third-round pick, has impressed the coaching staff and is likely to start in Week One.

 

[GregR]

Camp Confidential: Houston Texans

I think most of these observations are spot on.

Camp Confidential: Houston Texans

August, 16, 2011

By Paul Kuharsky

HOUSTON -- Yes, they brought in a top-flight defensive coordinator, drafted well and signed some good-looking free agents.

Still, the Texans have been the breakout pick so often in recent years and have come up short that it’s completely fair to ask, even with those changes: Why should people believe? Why should they buy this team?

“I couldn’t sell it to anybody,” said Chris Myers, the team’s underrated center. “We’re doing what we do here in camp. If you’re a Texans fan, you’re a Texans fan. Our offense is the same offense that we’ve had and we’re going to try to make it better. Our defense has brought in who we think can change it, take it in the right direction and make us that complete team.

“That’s the pitch. If you’re going to buy it, you’re going to buy it. If not, we’re still rolling.”

To find their way to the playoffs for the first time since the franchise began play in 2002, the Texans need to find the consistency they’ve lacked on many levels -- start to finish in a game, week to week over the course of the season.

That new defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips, has a great record of turning defenses around. Gary Kubiak carries questions as a head coach, but not as an offensive mind.

It’s a now or never deal for Kubiak, and he’s got a lot of talent on his roster that knows it.

Receiver Andre Johnson, one of the league’s top players, says the team’s spent the past few preseasons talking about breaking through. This time he wants less talk and more action.

THREE HOT ISSUES

1) How quickly can Phillips shape the defense?

He's coming off a poor term as head coach in Dallas, but his track record as a coordinator is excellent.

Mario Williams is adjusting to life as a stand-up linebacker in Wade Phillips' scheme.

Players on the Texans' defense say he’s funny, yet pointed. He’s already infused the group with confidence, and he quickly identified things that amounted to easy fixes. Mario Williams’ false step should disappear, for example, and Kareem Jackson is unlikely to be seen in press coverages.

“Wade Phillips and [linebackers coach Reggie Herring] have brought a credibility and a confidence to the system that they run,” said end-turned-outside-linebacker Connor Barwin. “I feel like it carries over to us. You know if you do what you’re coached up to do that it’s going to work.”

The change from a 4-3 to a 3-4 isn’t as extreme as some imagine, because Phillips’ 3-4 doesn’t demand a gigantic space-eating nose tackle, and it doesn’t ask linemen to be responsible for two gaps. The linemen are really playing roles akin to what they did in the previous system, with Williams now standing up as an on-the-line 'backer on the weak side.

Creating that matchup as often as possible is key, and Williams should be the centerpiece of the retooling.

Though Williams didn’t look comfortable in the preseason opener, end Antonio Smith thinks offenses will really struggle with Williams and his bull rush.

“It has not been stopped in camp yet,” Smith said. “Since he decided to do it, I ain’t seem him lose. You know what you need to do to beat a person. I think that throughout this camp, he’s figuring out how to use that. He’s added it into his bag of tricks and he’s going to figure out how to use it along with his other moves.”

Matt Schaub and Johnson have both talked about how many more balls are contested and broken up in a typical practice. That difference suggests the new philosophy’s growing on a unit that’s needed not just players like Johnathan Joseph and Danieal Manning but also the sort of direction Phillips is providing.

2) Will Arian Foster be able to have another big season on the ground?

It wasn’t long ago that Steve Slaton ran for 1,282 yards. He’s disappeared since the 2008 season, however.

Foster said that what he did over 16 games last season proved him capable and that the notion of a fluke is ridiculous. But for the Texans’ offense to get better, he’ll have to follow up his 1,616-yard season and rushing title with another big showing.

“When you come out and have a season like that, then everybody wants to see what you’re going to do the next season,” Johnson said. “I think that is important for him, to come out and show people that he is the guy that he was last year.

“I think he’ll do it, there is no doubt in my mind. Because he works hard and he plays with a chip on his shoulder.”

Houston’s play-action can be spectacular with Foster running as he did in 2010. His style is perfectly suited for the team’s blocking scheme, which encourages him to cut once and take all he can get.

Another big year will go a long way toward setting the Texans’ course.

3) Do enough guys have killer instinct?

The Texans' slow starts and inability to finish were major issues last season. Better personnel and coaching will need to be accompanied by a killer instinct this franchise has too frequently lacked.

[+] EnlargeDanieal Manning

AP Photo/David J. PhillipThe Texans are counting on Danieal Manning to bring some veteran leadership to the defense.

“You could put it that way,” tight end Owen Daniels said. “There’s definitely never been a lack of effort. I think it’s been missed opportunities at finishing games. ... We need to find something different this year in order to close out those games.”

A guy like Johnson, soft-spoken but intense, certainly has a personality you can win with. But are the Texans, in total, too low-key? I think it’s a fair question.

“You’ve got to have that [killer instinct],” said Manning, one of the key newcomers. “... If you believe, all this other stuff is going to come into play: working together, supporting your man, pushing him, making him work hard, holding him accountable. All that stuff goes hand in hand. I’ve never seen a championship team that didn’t believe, that didn’t finish.”

BIGGEST SURPRISE

When they grabbed him during the 2010 season, I don’t think the Texans expected much from veteran cornerback Jason Allen. But the secondary was better with him than it was without him. Now, with a fresh start, he’s mounting a serious challenge to Jackson, the 2010 first-round draft pick. The team would be well served to go with Allen if things come out roughly even. Jackson’s seasoning would be better for now as a role player.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Antwaun Molden looks the part as a 6-foot-1, 200-pound corner. But the team has finally stopped talking up the fourth-year man from Eastern Kentucky. He’s not sturdy enough and doesn’t show enough gumption to be a factor in a group where he’s had a chance to add some depth. He had an interception in the preseason opener, but only after he committed a penalty that washed it away.

OBSERVATION DECK

Joel Dreessen is consistently underrated. Dreessen can block and, while not as dynamic as Daniels, has a knack for finding open spaces and presenting himself to Schaub. The Texans have a lot of quality tight ends. Look for the team to put three tight ends on the field at times, when they can operate as a heavy package or shift Daniels, Dreessen, James Casey or Garrett Graham into space, depending on the defensive personnel. Anthony Hill is the blocker of the bunch.

After facing questions about durability, Schaub’s played two full seasons. Now the questions are about play in the clutch. He needs to eliminate moments like the one when he threw an overtime pick-six against Baltimore last season.

I expect the Texans to look closely at receivers when the league cuts down rosters. Dorin Dickerson currently looks to be fourth in line, but I saw him fighting some passes in practices and he’s still relatively new to the position. Jeff Maehl heads the undrafted group but didn’t look great, either. Receiver depth is an issue.

Inside linebacker Darryl Sharpton could be the best non-starter on the roster come opening day. He’s in a tough spot behind DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing, though injuries are often in play with Cushing.

Myers is a key cog in making the Texans’ offensive line work, and he could be taking his place right alongside Jeff Saturday as an indispensable center in the division.

The team could be an injury away from trouble at end and safety.

Trindon Holliday’s speed is not enough for him to overcome his size as even a situational receiver. Plus, he seems easily hurt. The return jobs are open if the team wants to avoid using Jacoby Jones as the punt returner and Manning as the kick returner.

Undrafted rookie Brett Hartmann beating out veteran punter Brad Maynard is a definite possibility.

Count me among those not convinced that Matt Leinart can’t play. If this team needs a few spots starts, I bet he can do OK. One of the NFL’s quarterback-needy teams was foolish not to add Leinart to the mix. He’s better than a lot of guys with a chance to start some games this season.

Lawrence Vickers is better equipped to work as the fullback than Casey, and he should get far more frequent opportunities to lead the way for Foster.

 

[Faust]

AFC East training-camp reports

BUFFALO BILLS

Juiciest story line: It has been awhile since Shawne Merriman put anyone's "lights out." Injuries have plagued him, but the Bills are pinning their hopes for a pass rush on Merriman. If he is able to make an impact off the edge, as he did in the preseason opener (two sacks), it will add a dynamic to the defense that could help change the Bills' fortunes.

Player to watch: C.J. Spiller fell well short of expectations in his rookie season. He showed flashes, but the Bills expect him to be a larger part of the offense in 2011. Buffalo is not short on weapons on that side of the ball, but if Spiller can be a threat, it will take some of the load off Fred Jackson and Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Strongest position: The defensive backs are still the team's strongest unit, even with the loss of Donte Whitner. Re-signing CB Drayton Florence was key, and George Wilson should be a fine replacement for Whitner in a secondary that helped the Bills allow the third-fewest passing yards a game last season.

Weakest position: The Bills did not address the offensive line in free agency, and their fourth-round pick, Chris Hairston, is in no position to play right away. The tackle positions still need an upgrade. Demetrius Bell is not suited to be a starting left tackle, and it's not much better on the right side with Erik Pears.

MIAMI DOLPHINS

Juiciest story line: All eyes will be on No. 7 — and he knows it, too. Chad Henne has a lot riding on his right arm. His job, and possibly that of his head coach and general manager, could go down with the ship if he has another inconsistent season. The personnel is there to help Henne succeed, but the pressure couldn't be greater.

Player to watch: Reggie Bush will be worth watching during the preseason, as he is expected to provide the spark the Dolphins' offense could use. Expect them to use him often and creatively. Bush has never played like a No. 2 overall pick, but there's no denying he has the skills. Maybe a new location is what he needed.

Strongest position: The D-line is stacked. It was good last year with Kendall Langford, Randy Starks and franchise NT Paul Soliai. The Dolphins re-signed Tony McDaniel, the unit's top reserve, and they will get Jared Odrick back. Odrick started the 2010 season opener as a rookie before suffering a season-ending injury.

Weakest position: It has to be the QB spot. The team failed in its attempt to trade for Kyle Orton, and the choice to back up Henne — Matt Moore — is not good enough to compete to start. Behind them is journeyman Kevin O'Connell and undrafted rookie Pat Devlin. Henne can change all that with a breakout season, but as of now, it is a weak unit.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Juiciest story line: Albert Haynesworth was a dominant force with the Titans, one of the best in the league, but a distraction off the field who made little impact on the field in Washington. If Bill Belichick can get Haynesworth to return to form, the Pats will have a scary-good D-line with Haynesworth and Vince Wilfork a formidable duo.

Player to watch: Despite several veteran additions at defensive end, there is pressure on Jermaine Cunningham to make the leap in Year Two. He will be spending more time at his college position and will be counted on to use his quick burst to wreak havoc in the backfield.

Strongest position: Each unit on the offense is worthy, but quarterback gets the nod. The Patriots have the reigning league MVP in Tom Brady, a backup in Brian Hoyer who played well when he had an opportunity last season and rookie Ryan Mallett, who has a first-round-caliber arm, as the team's No. 3 QB.

Weakest position: It's difficult to find weaknesses with this squad, but the lack of safety depth could be a concern. Patrick Chung is primed for a big season, but many around the league consider Brandon Meriweather to be overrated. Brandon McGowan and Jarrad Page are gone, leaving James Sanders as the No. 3 safety without a whole lot of experience behind him.

NEW YORK JETS

Juiciest story line: Plaxico Burress hasn't played an NFL game in almost three years, with 22 months spent in prison. Rex Ryan and the Jets took a chance on him, and he will be counted on to be Mark Sanchez's tall red-zone target. Everyone wants to know how Plax will look when he steps on the field.

Player to watch: Rex Ryan has been raving about Jeremy Kerley, and considering the exits of Jerricho Cotchery and Brad Smith in free agency and the lack of depth at wideout, the speedy rookie could see some playing time. He should factor in punt returns, as well as out of the slot.

Strongest position: This was a toss-up between the secondary and offensive line, but with questions about the right side of the O-line, we'll give it to the DBs. By re-signing Antonio Cromartie, the Jets boast one of the better CB tandems in the league. Jim Leonhard will be back soon along with Eric Smith as the safeties.

Weakest position: Wide receiver is a boom-or-bust position for the Jets. If Plax and Derrick Mason are productive as Santonio Holmes' complements, then there is no problem. But there is very little in terms of skill and experience behind them, and both veterans are question marks.

 

[Faust]

AFC West training-camp reports

DENVER BRONCOS

Juiciest story line: All offseason, it was expected the major focus was going to be on Tim Tebow's progress as the team's starting quarterback. Instead, there are questions about whether Tebow can maintain his grip on the No. 2 job. With the organization opting not to deal Kyle Orton, the veteran QB remains the starter, and Brady Quinn is charging hard, thanks to a solid camp, to be the top backup.

Player to watch: Three 2011 draft picks are slated to start, two on the defensive side of the ball. No. 2 overall pick OLB Von Miller should ignite the pass rush, but SS Rahim Moore might wind up being more important. A better pass defender than run stopper, Moore will look to improve a secondary that nabbed just 10 interceptions last season.

Strongest position: The offensive line, anchored by OLT Ryan Clady, should be solid once again for the Broncos. Clady is close to returning to 100 percent after knee surgery last year, meaning he should return to his Pro Bowl form. The other four linemen, including rookie ORT Orlando Franklin, should be able to construct a solid wall up front, giving Orton plenty of time to throw.

Weakest position: Head coach John Fox would love to be a run-based team, as the Panthers were when he coached them, but it's unclear if the team's current stable of tailbacks will allow him to do so. Starter Knowshon Moreno has been a bust his first two years, and backup Willis McGahee has little left in the tank. If neither player can elevate his play, Fox will need to do a serious overhaul to his game plan.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Juiciest story line: Fresh off their first division title since 2003, the Chiefs are looking to take the next step behind their corps of talented, young players. GM Scott Pioli added to the roster, signing talented vets such as WR Steve Breaston and NT Kelly Gregg to fill holes in the lineup. If the new players can fit in well with a solid returning group, K.C. could have all the makings of a return playoff trip.

Player to watch: A year after the Chiefs saw former first-round picks OLB Tamba Hali and WR Dwayne Bowe have breakout years, they wouldn't mind if two more did the same in 2011. DEs Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson have yet to fully show the ability that made them top-five picks, though Dorsey has emerged as a very good run stopper. Greater contributions from both players should solidify the defensive line.

Strongest position: With Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones on the roster, the Chiefs were already well-stocked at running back. They then added to that unit by signing former Ravens FB Le'Ron McClain. Don't expect the new arrival to get many carries, but his blocking and short-yardage running should make the backfield even better.

Weakest position: While major upgrades were made to several areas of the Kansas City offense through the draft and free agency, the right side of the offensive line was not addressed. Both ORG Ryan Lilja and ORT Barry Richardson are solid players who will neither dominate their opponent nor be embarrassed. However, for a team with championship aspirations, the weak link on the line could be an issue.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

Juiciest story line: Two of the biggest offseason losses any team suffered this summer were CB Nnamdi Asomugha and TE Zach Miller, both by the Raiders. Asomugha was a rare shutdown corner whom opponents didn't even challenge because he was so good. Meanwhile, Miller was the team's go-to receiver the past few seasons. How will the Raiders replace them?

Player to watch: All camp long, new head coach Hue Jackson has been hyping up MLB Rolando McClain, saying the second-year pro is going to not only be a better player this season, but a better leader. The 2010 first-rounder had a good rookie campaign, but Jackson is looking for even bigger things from the player in the center of the team's 4-3 defense.

Strongest position: Boasting both power and speed, the Raiders' defensive line is one of the best in the NFL. Anchored by DT Richard Seymour, the line once again will be asked to collapse the pocket on quarterbacks and take on blockers in the running game, allowing the team's playmaking linebackers and defensive backs to roam free.

Weakest position: Outside of RB Darren McFadden, the Raiders have no established offensive playmakers. The team is very thin at wide receiver, especially now that Jacoby Ford and Darrius Heyward-Bey have missed camp time with injuries. Both are expected back, but the offense could find it very difficult to score points.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Juiciest story line: It's make-or-break time for head coach Norv Turner. After another season in which the team didn't meet expectations, Turner is firmly on the hot seat and he knows it. With one of the league's more talented rosters, the Chargers at the very least need to win the division and might have to do more to allow the coach to keep his job.

Player to watch: All eyes are on the man who wasn't in camp a year ago WR Vincent Jackson. A holdout and suspension limited him to five games in 2010, and though the team was fine offensively in his absence, there is no doubt they are better with him on the field. Jackson has made his demand for a big contract well-known, and he could be motivated to have a monster season.

Strongest position: It's unclear what Bob Sanders has left in the tank or how long he'll be able to remain healthy, but as long as he remains off the injured list, the Chargers' safeties are going to be among the league's best. With Sanders joining the re-signed Eric Weddle and nickel safety Steve Gregory, San Diego has the versatility and depth in the secondary to match offenses on any down and distance.

Weakest position: Question marks hang over the entire special-teams unit after one of the worse seasons a team has ever had in that department. Several rookies are expected to be major contributors on both the kickoff- and punt-coverage units, and they must find a replacement for Darren Sproles, who was the kickoff and punt returner in recent seasons.

 

[Faust]

AFC North training-camp reports

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Juiciest story line: Can the Ravens remain a major player in the AFC after losing some key players in the offseason? Baltimore still has more blue-chip performers than the average team, but stalwarts Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are nearing the end of their careers, and it remains to be seen if the next wave of potential standouts — with QB Joe Flacco heading that list — can reach elite status and keep the Ravens at that level long term.

Player to watch: OLT Michael Oher has had a solid start to his NFL career, but he did have a few tough moments in pass protection a season ago. If he makes strides in his third NFL season, it could lift a line that looks a little shaky. If he plateaus, it won't help an offense looking to improve after a disappointing season.

Strongest position: The Ravens appear to be in good shape along the defensive line. DT Haloti Ngata is a star, and NT Terrence Cody could be a very good run stuffer in short order. Second-year DE Arthur Jones has emerged as a contributor, too, improving the depth of the group. Capable Brandon McKinney will step into Cody's former role as the reserve nose tackle.

Weakest position: The offensive line is shaky at center, where Matt Birk is recovering from knee surgery, and right tackle, where veteran backup Oniel Cousins and rookie Jah Reid are the top options. Considering the Ravens have to contend with Steelers LOLB LaMarr Woodley and NT Casey Hampton in Week One, how those parts of the O-line fare throughout the preseason bears close monitoring.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Juiciest story line: As the Bengals begin life after Carson Palmer, they hand control of the offense to QB Andy Dalton and hope the rookie from TCU keeps the growing pains to a minimum. From all accounts, Dalton has the intangibles to play the position. In his first preseason start, Dalton had his first pass intercepted, but he settled down thereafter.

Player to watch: WR Jerome Simpson finished 2010 with a flourish, catching 20 passes for 277 yards and three TDs in the final three games when he finally received a chance to play. If he plays at that level this season, and if A.J. Green lives up to his billing as an elite prospect, the Bengals could have an above-average WR tandem in 2011 — one that potentially could be potent for years if Simpson signs long term.

Strongest position: Second-year pro Jermaine Gresham was solid as a rookie, catching 52 passes, and the addition of ex-Titan Bo Scaife gives the Bengals a potent one-two punch at tight end. Teams could have a tough time defending the Bengals' athletic WR tandem of Green and Simpson, and Gresham and Scaife are nice middle-of-the-field targets for Dalton, giving Cincinnati options in the passing game.

Weakest position: The Bengals are not deep at safety. An apparent agreement with ex-Bills SS Donte Whitner fell through, likely ending the Bengals' last best chance to upgrade the talent at the position. SS Chris Crocker and FS Reggie Nelson comprise a decent starting tandem, but Crocker has struggled to stay healthy and Nelson has been inconsistent.



CLEVELAND BROWNS

Juiciest story line: Can the Browns take advantage of a manageable beginning to their schedule? Of their first 11 games, only two are against playoff teams from a season ago. Poor starts have doomed the Browns the past three seasons; a better beginning would be a boon for Shurmur, a first-time head coach on the professional or collegiate level.

Player to watch: Can QB Colt McCoy thrive in Shurmur's West Coast offense? Playing for an organization led by Mike Holmgren, an expert in the West Coast scheme who loves to collect quarterbacks, McCoy needs to learn the offense and show some playmaking ability. He got off to a very good start. In his first preseason game, he completed 9-of-10 passes for 135 yards and one touchdown.

Strongest position: The offensive line is very good. OLT Joe Thomas has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first four NFL seasons and has never missed a snap. Also, C Alex Mack earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2010 and OLG Eric Steinbach is a solid starter. ORG Shaun Lauvao and ORT Tony Pashos are serviceable.

Weakest position: The Browns have no shortage of options at wide receiver, but they do not have a go-to target. Perhaps rookie Greg Little can earn that role in time, but he needs to be more consistent. Mohamed Massaquoi, expected to be a key contributor, missed the early part of camp with a foot injury.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Juiciest story line: The last two times the Steelers missed the postseason came a season after they appeared in the Super Bowl. This looks like another formidable Pittsburgh squad, but the '06 and '09 editions looked that way, too, and they were home for the playoffs. Can the Steelers keep their focus?

Player to watch: The Steelers have so many known commodities, so we'll focus on OLT Jonathan Scott, who replaces the departed Max Starks. Scott's play improved as last season progressed. If he's solid in protecting QB Ben Roethlisberger's blind side, the Steelers' offense can be daring and dangerous.

Strongest position: The Steelers are loaded at linebacker. OLBs James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley are top pass rushers and very good run defenders. ILB James Farrior continues to play well at age 36, and the other inside 'backer, Lawrence Timmons, comes off his best season.

Weakest position: The offensive line has one star (C Maurkice Pouncey) and a potential above-average right tackle (Willie Colon). However, the guard play is inconsistent, and it remains to be seen how Scott plays over a full season on the left side.

 

[Faust]

AFC South training-camp reports

HOUSTON TEXANS

Juiciest story line: Head coach Gary Kubiak was brought back despite last season's regression. New defensive coordinator Wade Phillips was hired to fix a broken defense. Phillips has had great success in the first year of his last four stops as coordinator. With a Super Bowl-caliber offense and plenty of talent on "D," can Phillips take this team to the next level and save Kubiak's job?

Player to watch: Wade Phillips has turned Mario Williams into the biggest outside linebacker in NFL history. Phillips said Williams will rush the passer at least 90 percent of the time, giving the freakish athlete a chance to put up monster numbers in a contract year.

Strongest position: The Texans are loaded at linebacker, where a trio of former Pro Bowlers ­ ILBs DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing and OLB Mario Williams are joined by a strong candidate to break through this season, OLB Connor Barwin, and exciting rookie OLB Brooks Reed.

Weakest position: The Texans say they're happy with their nose tackles, Earl Mitchell and Shaun Cody. Both players have had good camps but have yet to prove they can hold up in Phillips' odd front. Furthermore, there is no depth to speak of behind them.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Juiciest story line: The league's only four-time MVP, QB Peyton Manning, is the NFL's active leader with 208 consecutive regular-season starts. But as of this writing, Manning had not begun practicing after undergoing his second neck surgery in 15 months in May, putting his streak and the Colts' Super Bowl aspirations in jeopardy.

Player to watch: The time is now for former first-round RB Donald Brown, who has had a very good camp after disappointing in his first two seasons. Head coach Jim Caldwell said that Brown must fit his talents within the system and let the offense come to him. Moreover, Brown must find a way to stay on the field.

Strongest position: No one questions the talent and depth of the WR position just the durability of the unit. All-Pro Reggie Wayne is in great shape his best since his rookie season. Pierre Garcon spent more time working with Manning early in the offseason. Austin Collie and Anthony Gonzalez have both looked sharp early in camp. Blair White is on the PUP list with an ailing back.

Weakest position: No surprise here: the O-line, though it could turn out to be a strength. With rookie OTs Anthony Castonzo and Ben Ijalana trying to make up for lost time, C Jeff Saturday and ORT Ryan Diem are the only sure bets to start, and Diem struggled in 2010. Second-year OG Jacques McClendon is penciled in at left guard, with Mike Pollak trying to pin down the ORG spot.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Juiciest story line: Head coach Jack Del Rio and QB David Garrard are likely on their last lives in Jacksonville. Can Del Rio revive a dormant "D" and "take control of the division" as he said he would do earlier in the offseason? Can Garrard hold off promising rookie Blaine Gabbert by turning back the clock to 2007?

Player to watch: DLE Aaron Kampman was the team's best defender at the time of his second consecutive season-ending knee injury last season. Kampman has been limited in camp and will have his snaps reduced in an effort to keep him fresh. The Jaguars desperately need their best pass rusher to pick up where he left off last season and be a force off the edge.

Strongest position: The Jaguars added a pair of starting linebackers, MLB Paul Posluszny and WLB Clint Session, meaning they now have $99 million invested in the second level of their defense. "Poz" and Session, paired with underrated SLB Daryl Smith, give Jacksonville an active and physical group that should rival Houston for the best LB corps in the division.

Weakest position: Jacksonville maintains that its unproven group of wideouts can be effective, but until No. 2 WR Jason Hill and rookie Cecil Shorts produce consistently, and until Jarett Dillard proves he can stay healthy, this remains a big question mark. Mike Thomas has been very good in his first two seasons, but he is not a prototypical No. 1 wideout.



TENNESSEE TITANS

Juiciest story line: Chris Johnson wants to get paid. The Titans want him in camp before they begin negotiating. Johnson dug in his heels, allowing the deadline for gaining an accrued season toward free agency to pass without reporting to camp. The Titans' offensive identity is to get off the bus running. Can they really afford to start the season without their most valuable player?

Player to watch: It appears WR Kenny Britt, who head coach Mike Munchak said won't be punished by the club, could also escape the wrath of commissioner Roger Goodell for an offseason filled with transgressions. But that doesn't mean Britt is ready to be the team's go-to guy in the passing game, as he has been sidelined most of camp with a sore hamstring.

Strongest position: The Titans' offensive line returns all five starters. Although the interior play was not as good as expected last season, the club thinks Eugene Amano, who enters his second season at center, will improve, making life easier for OLG Leroy Harris and ORG Jake Scott.

Weakest position: The Titans are unproven at defensive end, where second-year DLE Derrick Morgan has only four games under his belt and DRE Jason Jones is learning a new position. Veterans William Hayes, Dave Ball and Jacob Ford are nice players, but they're not special. This could turn out to be a strength, but it is a relative unknown heading into the season.

 

[Grahamburn]

Most important thread of the year.

 

[Faust]

Fantasy Buzz

With training camps in full swing and preseason games under way, there is no shortage of news for all 32 teams. We contacted our sources from around the league to get the inside scoop on a noteworthy piece of news for each team, organized by division, as it relates to fantasy football. The crucial news and insights that follow are sure to help you prepare for your fantasy draft.

AFC East

He won't get the 20-25 touches you want out of a fantasy No. 1 RB, or even a No. 2 back, but Reggie Bush has better fantasy value in Miami than he did in New Orleans. The Dolphins will work to get him involved in the offense, whether it's running or catching. And with a rookie tailback in Daniel Thomas who might need a little time to get acclimated to the NFL, Bush will benefit. He's not a bad No. 3 or flex option.

If you draft Patriots RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, don't expect 13 TDs again, and third-round rookie Stevan Ridley could be the reason why. The inside runner has impressed in camp and could take goal-line touches away from Green-Ellis. "The Law Firm" is still the team's top back, but he has more company in 2011.

Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress will be the first Jets wide receivers off the board, but don't sleep on Derrick Mason, and don't be shocked if he puts up better numbers than Burress. Mason might be 37 years old, but he had 802 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last season, and he should get plenty of targets.

With Lee Evans gone, someone will have to step up and be the Bills' No. 2 receiver to keep defenses from focusing on Stevie Johnson. Roscoe Parrish, who played well last year before getting hurt, is the most likely option, but keep an eye on David Nelson, who plays mostly out of the slot. Evans' absence will benefit both players' fantasy values.

AFC North

Browns RB Montario Hardesty (knee) was held out of full practice much of the early portion of camp. Hardesty, expected to compete to be the top reserve running back behind Pey­ton Hillis, missed last season with an ACL tear. Note that Hardesty sat out much of last summer with knee issues before the ACL tear. In short, if you're thinking of taking him as late-round insurance for Hillis, you're going to want to monitor how he fares when he returns to full practice and games. Hardesty has been able to work on the side, including running.

Steelers WR Emmanuel Sanders, considered somewhat of a sleeper after a promising end to his rookie season, is recovering from surgery on his left foot, but the procedure is not regarded as serious. Monitor Sanders' progress the rest of the summer before making a call on whether he's worth a late-round flier. Fellow second-year WR Antonio Brown also could merit a late-round pick.

Bengals TE Jermaine Gresham has sleeper potential. He was the team's third-most targeted player in 2010 (83, with 52 receptions, also third-most on the team), and the two players ahead of him in targets, WRs Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco, are gone. New starting WRs A.J. Green and Jerome Simpson will be key parts of the offense, of course, and ex-Titans TE Bo Scaife also will be in the mix for targets, but Gresham has upside to improve this season and doesn't figure to be drafted as a starter in most smaller formats. He might merit a late-round look.

New Ravens RB Ricky Williams will have his greatest value for Ray Rice owners in all formats, but he's draftable in the final stages of most leagues, considering his talent and the Ravens' commitment to the run. It wouldn't be surprising if he got some short-yardage and perhaps a little goal-line work, even though offensive coordinator Cam Cameron has said Rice will have a "major role" in those parts of the offense.

AFC South

The last thing Texans fans and potential fantasy owners of WR Andre Johnson and RB Arian Foster wanted to hear was that the two fantasy studs have missed time in camp because of injuries. It's not time to panic, though. Johnson, who dislocated his left index finger, and Foster, who tweaked a hamstring, are both expected to be ready to roll by the time the regular season begins.

Early indications are that Colts WRs Austin Collie and Anthony Gonzalez, both of whom ended the 2010 season on injured reserve, have not had any limitations early in camp. Gonzalez's surgically repaired knee has responded well, and Collie is not showing any lingering effects from the frightening concussions that knocked him out in 2010. As we have been saying all along, however, the true test for Collie won't come until he absorbs the first big hit in live game action.

As of this writing, Titans speed merchant Chris Johnson was still mired in a training-camp holdout. It seems unlikely that the two sides won't come to an agreement before the start of the season, but Johnson's top backup, Javon Ringer, has made the most of his opportunities in camp. Ringer and rookie Jamie Harper have both played well, according to a daily team observer, and each will get extended looks in the preseason.

Although it's still very early, Jaguars No. 2 WR Jason Hill has been a virtual nonfactor in camp. The Jaguars think Hill has the ability to stretch opposing defenses and open up opportunities for WR Mike Thomas, TE Marcedes Lewis and the ground game, but Hill will have to start making some noise soon to be considered a viable sleeper candidate this season.

AFC West

The Raiders have suffered some key injuries in camp, with RB Darren McFadden (broken orbital bone), WR Jacoby Ford (broken hand) and WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (undisclosed) all missing time. None of them, however, is expected to be out for long, and each should recover in plenty of time for the season opener.

Philip Rivers' passing attempts have risen each of the past three seasons, peaking at 541 in 2010. Expect that trend to stop this year, as the Chargers want to be balanced offensively and feature the running game more. Somewhat fewer passes shouldn't lower the quarterback's value, though, as Norv Turner still wants Rivers to look deep downfield. It wouldn't be a shock to see his number of touchdown passes go up as the overall attempts drop.

Broncos WR Brandon Lloyd has more value in PPR leagues than those with traditional scoring. As the favorite option of Kyle Orton, Lloyd should see plenty of throws in his direction, maybe even more than the 153 targets that he had last season. Expecting a league-high 1,448 yards again might be too much to ask, as would 11 touchdowns. Until a No. 2 wideout or an established running game develops for Denver, defenses will blanket Lloyd and force other players to beat them.

It's unclear what Chiefs RB Thomas Jones' role will be this season. With Jamaal Charles clearly the team's top back, Jones is fine being a complementary piece. In terms of fantasy, however, it might be wise to pass on the veteran runner. Jones' yards per carry have dropped two years in a row, and he might see fewer short-yardage carries this season with Le'Ron McClain now on the K.C. roster.

NFC East

Sources in Dallas are becoming less concerned with RB Felix Jones' ability to stay healthy and be a lead back the more they watch him this preseason. As a rookie, Jones was too lean and subject to a lot of sprinter's ailments. Last season, he bulked up too much and appeared wooden and slower. But now, Jones appears to have found a happy medium, and his burst in the preseason opener was very promising. This might be the season he finally breaks out.

All signs point to either stagnation or a continued decline in the receiving numbers of Eagles TE Brent Celek. The addition of ex-Giants WR Steve Smith might not provide immediate benefits for the team, but it eventually could cut into Celek's reps and, thus, his number of receiving opportunities. He still could have a role, but it appears significantly reduced from his 2009 breakout season, which now seems so long ago.

Although he might not be drafted in most fantasy leagues, keep an eye on Giants WR Domenik Hixon, who is returning from a season-ending injury. While Giants Nation is up in arms over Steve Smith's departure, the coaches are quietly confident in the return of Hixon, who has looked good through the early part of camp. Hixon could fill that badly needed No. 3 WR role, especially with Smith and TE Kevin Boss gone.

Our Redskins sources believe RB Tim Hightower can win the starting job if not immediately, then soon after the start of the season if he can prove to the coaching staff he has kicked his fumbling habit. Hightower was traded by the Cardinals, in part, because he lost a combined eight fumbles the past two seasons, and that certainly won't endear him in D.C., either. But if he can control the football better, a 200-carry season in a shared situation with Ryan Torain and rookie Roy Helu is a distinct possibility.

NFC North

The early fantasy forecast has to be considered partly cloudy, at best, for Packers TE Jermichael Finley, who is on the mend from a torn meniscus in his right knee that limited him to five games last season and prematurely ended a promising fantasy campaign. Some close camp observers are wondering about Finley's lighter frame (240 pounds 10 fewer than last season) that makes him look more like a wideout than a tight end. He also was dropping a surprising number of passes early in camp while trying to regain his timing.

Bears WR Johnny Knox has been demoted and is now a reserve behind starters Roy Williams and Devin Hester. Until offensive coordinator Mike Martz believes Knox has earned a promotion, the third-year veteran will be a backup, and Martz doesn't seem impressed with him at the moment. Knox should be dropped on draft boards, but don't completely remove him from the fantasy radar. The Bears are likely to use more three- and four-WR sets this season, and Knox is going to be involved. He's the team's best deep threat.

Lions WR Nate Burleson might merit consideration in the late rounds in three-WR formats. Burleson's six TDs a season ago were the third-most he has scored in a single campaign (he has two nine-TD seasons). Note that Burleson's best game of the 2010 season (a 7-113-1 performance vs. the Jets) came with Matthew Stafford in the lineup.

You might want to be a bit leery of the Vikings' tight ends, even though QB Donovan McNabb has a history of feeding the position heavily. Right now, Visanthe Shiancoe is out with a hamstring injury, and rookie Kyle Rudolph hasn't excelled in his absence. The two still should be used frequently in the offense, but it might be a matter of time before they are featured the way that many people expect.

NFC South

Observers in New Orleans are bullish on Saints RB Mark Ingram's fantasy prospects for 2011. He has looked good in camp, and it appears he'll be the team's featured back from Day One. Ingram, a first-round pick, should get 15-20 carries per game, and there's a good chance he'll get the goal-line work with Chris Ivory out as Ivory recovers from foot and sports hernia surgery.

Swelling and irritation in his surgically repaired knee has kept Saints WR Marques Colston out of a chunk of training-camp practices, and he missed the team's first preseason game. It's a concern that Colston hasn't returned to the field as quickly as he was expected to, but sources say the Saints aren't panicking about Colston's health situation at this point. Owners should monitor his situation he could be a nice value pick if he falls in fantasy drafts.

Owners who draft Michael Turner ought to seriously consider adding Jason Snelling as a handcuff. Snelling's value could be hurt a bit by the addition of Jacquizz Rodgers, who will be the Falcons' change-of-pace back, but Snelling still would be the featured rusher if Turner, who is returning from offseason groin surgery, went down with an injury. Considering Turner's age (29), mileage and workload, owners would be smart to guard against injury.

LeGarrette Blount is the Buccaneers' starter at running back, but there's less certainty behind him on the depth chart. The Bucs let Cadillac Williams go in free agency, and Kregg Lumpkin, who has two career carries, is getting a chance to replace him as the top backup to Blount. If Lumpkin isn't up to the task, Earnest Graham, who is also in the mix at fullback, could be called upon. It's safe to say that Blount is the only fantasy factor at running back in Tampa, and he's going to have a heavy workload in his second season.

NFC West

Good news for the 49ers: Featured back Frank Gore, who is coming off a hip injury that forced him to miss the last five games last season, reported to camp after a very brief contract holdout at his "fighting weight" of 214-215 pounds, saying he felt "like a 22-year-old kid again." It took no time at all, we hear, for Niners coaches to begin marvelling at Gore's customary explosiveness.

There was immediate speculation after the Seahawks surprisingly snagged TE Zach Miller that incumbent John Carlson could be sent packing. But head coach Pete Carroll quickly denied those rumors, claiming he had every intention of frequently using Miller and Carlson on opposite sides of the field in two-TE packages that will make the offense more diverse.

The Cardinals' first depth chart issued this offseason listed second-year pro Andre Roberts as the starting wide receiver opposite Larry Fitzgerald. But daily team observers believe fifth-year pro Early Doucet could be closing fast on Roberts in the battle to replace the departed Steve Breaston. "He has looked good and seems bigger and thicker in more of an Anquan Boldin mode," one team insider said of Doucet, who has been plagued by assorted injuries throughout his career. "But Early has looked good early before."

 

[netnalp]

Injury bug starts to nip Giants with back issues for Jason Pierre-Paul and Michael Boley

By Mike Garafolo/The Star-Ledger

So far, the Giants have avoided the rash of injuries that have often come with their training camps. Whereas we’ve seen over a dozen guys riding bikes in recent years, the players peddling away have been kept to a manageable minimum.

The team can only hope things didn’t change for the worse today.

Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul left practice with an undisclosed back issue, wide receiver Darius Reynaud had to come out because of a hamstring injury and linebacker Michael Boley wasn’t even on the field because of a back issue, the team said.

Pierre-Paul’s issue didn’t appear to be serious, as he stood and watched most of practice while holding his helmet in his hand. The severity of Boley’s issue was never clarified, and Tom Coughlin won’t provide an update until Wednesday. As for Reynaud, he looked very discouraged after having his leg wrapped with an ice pack on the back of his thigh. A hamstring injury for a wide receiver is never a good thing, and it’ll be a shame for Reynaud if he misses an extended period of time because he was having a very good camp.

We’ll provide updates on the players listed above once we get them.

* * * *

OTHER INJURIES

We’ll start with the good news: DE Dave Tollefson (back) was back in action. Aaaaaaaand that about does it for the good news.

LB Clint Sintim (knee), WRs Domenik Hixon (knee) and Ramses Barden (leg/PUP), S Jarrard Tarrant (shoulder), CB Woodny Turenne (calf), K Lawrence Tynes (quad), CB Prince Amukamara (foot), OL Adam Koets (knee/PUP) and QB Sage Rosenfels (strep throat) are still out.

* * * *

THE STARTERS

I’m surprised we haven’t seen more great grabs from WR Mario Manningham in his fourth camp, though today he had one when he leaped on an in cut inside CB Corey Webster and reached behind him to make the catch. “Nice grab, ‘rio,” his teammates yelled. But Manningham and QB Eli Manning just look to be a bit off right now. On one play, Manningham turned the wrong way and Manning threw 5 feet to his right. (Credit LB Mathias Kiwanuka for being solid in coverage there.) WRs coach Sean Ryan corrected Maningham after that play.

C David Baas gave way to OL Kevin Boothe for a few reps with the first-team offense early in practice. On one play, Boothe missed DT Chris Canty and allowed him into the backfield to make a stop. Pretty soon, Baas was back in there, though he got beat by DE Justin Tuck late in practice.

Safeties coach David Merritt got fired up (even for Merritt’s standards) when S Antrel Rolle came down into the box and lurked long enough to meet RB Brandon Jacobs on the edge. DE Osi Umenyiora was trying his best to beat Jacobs to the corner, but he just didn’t have the angle. Rolle did, and he made the stop.

Speaking of Umenyiora, he and LT Will Beatty went at it pretty good again today. Beatty won again, in my mind. I’ll outline the positives in a story to be posted here later (see the line about the block to Umenyiora’s arm pit), but for now, I’ll note the only negative was when he held Umenyiora on the final play of practice — which just so happened to be the play of the day. But more on that in a bit …

CB Terrell Thomas had an uncharacteristically off day, particularly on a few rough plays in 7-on-7s. He had a tough read on WR Hakeem Nicks’ in cut for a short catch and then dropped an interception on a bad read by Manning, who was trying to hit WR Victor Cruz on a post. Manning did a good job of looking off Rolle, the deep safety on the play, but he either didn’t see Thomas or underestimated his chances of getting to the ball. Thomas started yelping after the missed pick and Merritt screamed and fell to the ground like he had a heart attack. “That’s a game changer!” Merritt yelled after they took out the paddles and revived him.

OL Mitch Petrus has looked pretty darn good. If I didn’t mention that after the Panthers game, that’s an oversight by me. Among the good blocks he delivered today was a reach block on a stretch play when he stepped quickly to get inside DT Rocky Bernard. That’s one of the toughest blocks for an offensive lineman and Petrus handled it well there.

CB Aaron Ross looks very rusty to me. Today, he was lined up over Jernigan in the slot and pretty much watched Jernigan run an out route right in front of him. No jam, no body positioning on the break and no play on the ball for Ross. In 7-on-7s, Jernigan beat Ross up the left seam for a post. And in team drills, Cruz got inside Ross, who needed help from LB Phillip Dillard to cover Cruz on the back end. Cruz later got in front of Ross for a catch on another crossing route. Ross eventually was in good coverage on a short out to Reynaud that fell incomplete.

Oh, and a play later, S Kenny Phillips jumped a quick out from Manning to Nicks. Had that ball not been thrown high (perhaps it was on purpose) it would have been 6 points the other way. Manning later misfired on a ball for Cruz up the right seam on a skinny post. He seemed to recognize the route way too late and probably would have gotten Cruz killed in a real game because Rolle was coming down from the “post” hard and fast. And Manning overshot rookie WR Jerrel Jernigan, who had slipped past Thomas after Thomas tripped a bit.

But finally, Manning hit Nicks on a comeback in front of Webster. You know, Manning hasn’t looked that good this camp, but I’m resisting the urge to overreact here.

I wrote a story on LG David Diehl for the early editions of Sunday’s paper on his switch from tackle to guard. In there, RG Chris Snee said he doesn’t see the allure of playing outside at tackle because inside he can “get away with some holding.” Yeah, well he caught him grabbing Tuck on one play. Throw the flag. That being said, Snee came right back with a vicious block on DT Linval Joseph. Snee has been very, very, very good early on in camp and in the preseason.

* * * *

THE BACKUPS

Kind of a mixed bag for CB Michael Coe today. He got off to a good start when he darted up to the line after recognizing what defensive coordinator Perry Fewell calls a “now” route. (It’s when the receiver takes one step forward and then back to grab a ball at the line. Not a designed screen, but rather a quick throw designed to let him beat the charging corner 1-on-1. The key for the corner is getting there before the receiver can get his momentum going in any direction. In this case, Coe got on WR Devin Thomas quickly enough that he would have made the stop.) Coe had some rough moments late, including a ball he gave up in the flat because he turned his hips when he should have stayed square and facing the short zone he was supposed to cover. And finally, he gave up a back-shoulder throw from QB David Carr to WR Duke Calhoun. Meanwhile…

CB Joe Burnett saw a flip play to RB Charles Scott developing and beat WR Todd Watkins to the inside to make the stop. Scott had gotten the corner on LB Mark Herzlich, so he needed help from Burnett and he got it. “Great day at Practice today,” Burnett tweeted. “Its coming together for me!”

A couple of other good plays by DBs on Calhoun: CB Darnell Burks coming down to cover a quick in cut and S Brian Jackson tracking Calhoun on a crossing route. Jackson later made a similar play to recognize a seam route for Watkins got immediate positive feedback from newly re-signed S Deon Grant, who watched the play develop from the other side of the field. “Hey, Jack, good break, boy!” Grant yelled.

TE Jake Ballard keeps making some grabs down the field. He had a ball on a well-run flag route to the right side from Carr.

Very nice blitz pickup by RB Andre Brown on LB Kenny Ingram. Good stick there, though DT Marvin Austin was getting past OL Stacy Andrews on the other side to chase down the QB on a rollout. Brown had one issue later on, though, when he was late to run a check-down route, forcing Carr to scramble.

CB Brian Witherspoon had an outstanding jam on Watkins that threw off the timing of the play. The ball from Carr was long and out of the reach of Watkins.

* * * *

THE YOUNG GUYS

With Boley out of action, LB Spencer Paysinger was working with the first-team defense on the weak side. He had a few highlights, including a pressure when he beat RB Ahmad Bradshaw on a blitz. He got a hand on Bradshaw’s helmet and sort of stiff-armed him to get leverage. The play ended with a nice back-shoulder throw from Manning to Nicks, though in a live game Paysinger would have had something to say about that. Another highlight for Paysinger came in a late team session when he made a stop on a wide run, courtesy of Phillips taking on a pulling Diehl.

Huge, huge, huge hit by rookie LB Greg Jones on RB D.J. Ware on a run to the outside. I mean, it was such a whack I lost the chance to see who TE Daniel Coats thumped on a lead block. It was like “Whap! Whap!” One right after the other. (Yeesh, I’m turning into John Madden.) Jones had the much bigger hit and I’m telling you it was one of the best hits of camp so far. There are some questions about Jones, but there should be no worries about what he can do when he meets a running back in a hole.

Jones later tried to cover Jernigan on a crossing route. He didn’t stand a chance. (Jernigan had a pretty good day today. He might be ready to bust out.) Also, Jones was a hair late to react to Calhoun on a slant late in practice. Oh, and Calhoun dropped a quick slant, so today wasn’t his best day.

S Tyler Sash got Merritt whooping and pumping his fist when he perfectly disguised a delayed blitz and came clean off the edge. Sash kind of hid behind the D-linemen and snuck into the backfield undetected by the running backs. (Sorry, I didn’t get a chance to note who was responsible.) Sash also made a good play in coverage when he whacked Jernigan on a seam pass as Jernigan tried to make the grab in the soft spot in the zone. But the receivers weren’t happy about the contact. “Yo, Sash, chill,” one said.

I mentioned Austin beating Andrews above, well he came right back a few plays later to toss OL Brant Clouser like a rag doll.

Herzlich missed an assignment on a kick return and got berated by special teams coach Tom Quinn.

LB Adrian Tracy didn’t locate Watkins well enough on a drop. Watkins was running a hook right in Tracy’s zone, but he didn’t turn his head to see the ball — or the receiver, for that matter. Tracy did a better job of locating Brown on a draw play later and made the stop after fighting through traffic.

OT James Brewer didn’t exactly endear himself to OL coach Pat Flaherty today. Brewer got a stare from Flaherty after blowing an assignment and then missing a block on DE Justin Trattou on an end around.

And finally, the play of the day was an interception Webster returned to the house. I was busy watching Beatty grabbing Umenyiora, so I didn’t see how the route developed but Cruz leaped for a ball that went through his hands. Webster was alert, caught the deflection and took off to the delight of his teammates.

Good night. Drive home safely.

For more Giants practice reports, check out the practice report page.

http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/08/injury_bug_starts_to_nip_giant.html

 

[Thomsen]

Coach Jim Harbaugh on the elusiveness of rookie RB Kendall Hunter, the team’s fourth-round pick from Oklahoma State: “(DE) Justin Smith made the comment yesterday, ‘He’s really good. I’d like to think I would’ve had him if this wasn’t practice, but the truth is I might have pulled a groin.’” 49ers RapidReports

Aug. 16, 2011 6:23 p.m. - by Ron Clements - Flexibility key for Rams at WR

Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said flexibility at WR is important because opposing defenses will dictate which formations the Rams use. “We may end up having more guys in the slot one week and then next week we don’t run slot at all because that’s not how to beat that team,” McDaniels said. Rams RapidReports

Aug. 16, 2011 5:27 p.m. - by Brandon Williams - Jean moving up the ladder at WR

WR Lestar Jean's effort (two catches, 53 yards) Monday night has earned the free agent from Florida Atlantic a bump up in the rotation. Coach Gary Kubiak, who has been impressed with 6-3, 215-pounder throughout camp, said Jean will compete with Dorin Dickerson in the chase for the Texans' fourth WR spot. Texans

 

[Faust]

MONDAY MORNING QB - TUESDAY

Excerpts:

Remember Keary Colbert? Former second-round pick of the Panthers. Bounced around to two United Football League teams recently. Coached tight ends for USC, his alma mater, last year. He's got a legit chance to make the Chiefs. I wouldn't say 50-50, but close.

Todd Haley told me today that Colbert's agent sent the club a YouTube video of Colbert working out recently, "and we thought it must have been photoshopped, it looked so good. Then we worked him out, and he looked terrific. Unless it's a mirage, he'll be in the thick of things for a job here.''

But he'll be competing with the best stable of receivers the Chiefs have had, by far, in Haley's three years. He may have to beat out current nominal starter Jerheme Urban, a Haley favorite from Arizona, to make it.

The player I was most impressed with: Tight end Tony Moeaki. I'll be writing more about him in the coming days, but what interested me is the Chiefs' aggressive use of him in passing formations -- as a slot receiver, a blocker tight to the formation, and set out wide. He's their Dallas Clark.

 

[Faust]

Postcard from camp: Patriots

Excerpts:

Three Observations

1. Ochocinco might be extraneous. The Patriots offense will certainly benefit if Tom Brady can help turn Ochocinco back into the perennial 1,200-yard, seven-to-10-touchdown man of his Johnson days. But it's not essential, not nearly so.

Brady has so many other weapons at his disposal -- including up-and-comers like wideout Taylor Price, who had five catches for 105 yards in New England's preseason opener -- that the Patriots should fairly easily lead the NFL in scoring offense once again in 2011, with or without Ochocinco.

Not least among their contributors will be the best tight end tandem in the league, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, both of whom are entering their second year and both of whom are far too big for defensive backs to cover, yet far too fast for most linebackers. "Gronknandez" combined for 87 catches, 1,109 yards and 16 TDs last season, and those numbers could each increase by 50 percent this year.

2. The defensive line, last year a weakness, is now a strength. Belichick's camp features some 2.8 tons, as well as 119 feet and five inches, of defensive linemen, which ought to give you an idea of the area of his team that the coach felt was the biggest problem last season.

Yes, New England ranked 14th in sacks last year (36) -- but they were second in pass attempts against, because teams were so often playing them from behind. They were 11th in overall run defense, but 13th in yards allowed per attempt.

Last year's line's weakness became starkly clear against the Jets in the Pats' playoff loss, when Mark Sanchez wasn't sacked once and New York again and again ripped off chunks of yardage on the ground, usually right up the middle. That won't happen this year, not with Albert Haynesworth joining Vince Wilfork inside. And if Haynesworth's heart isn't in it, Belichick has his choice of 17 other very big men to try in his place.

3. Sebastian Vollmer has the best German/Texan/Bostonian accent you've ever heard -- and he might be the best right tackle in the league, too. Vollmer, a 6'8" native of Dusseldorf who attended Houston, was named a second-team All-Pro last season, but, strangely, did not make the Pro Bowl. That slight will likely be rectified this season. "He's big, he's tough, he's physical, strong, smart," says Wilfork of his third-year teammate. "Trust me, he might not have all the media giving him credit, but I'm pretty sure when people look at that film, they talk about him a lot."

Step On Up

Zoltan Mesko, P. Mesko is already The Most Interesting Punter in the World -- born in Romania, speaks four languages fluently (English, Romanian, Hungarian, German), interned at a private equity firm during the lockout. Now he'll try to become the best punter in the world.

The former fifth-round pick out of Michigan kicked well as a rookie in 2010 -- his 38.4 net average tied for 11th. But he plays for a team that, due to its potent offense, doesn't often require his services (25 players had more punts than he did last season), meaning each kick has a greater importance. "It's more quality over quantity," he says.

New Face, New Place

Shaun Ellis, DE. "Too much, a little bit too much with him," Belichick said the other day of his previous experiences with Ellis, a Jet between 2000 and 2010. Ellis recorded two of the Jets' five sacks in their playoff ousting of the Patriots (after totaling a dozen in 15 regular season games against New England). Now, after signing a one-year, $4 million deal, he's a member of what should be considered the deepest and the best defensive line in the NFL.

Looking At The Schedule ...

A 14-2 record is a distinct possibility. It seems unlikely that the Patriots will lose any of their first four games (at Miami, San Diego, at Buffalo, at Oakland) or their last four (at Washington, at Denver, Miami, Buffalo). If they suffer any losses at all they might come during a somewhat daunting eight-game stretch that runs from early October to early December. Games at Pittsburgh, at Jets and at Philadelphia seem particularly difficult. Still, New England should emerge with its fifth 14-plus-win season of the Belichick era. Three of the first four led to Super Bowl appearances.

 

[Faust]

Postcard from camp: Bills

Excerpts:

Three Observations

1. The Lights should be put Out once more. The Bills' run defense was last season remarkably bad, yielding more rushing attempts (571), and for a higher average per carry (4.8), than any other team. That, and that teams rarely felt it necessary to throw against Buffalo, obscured the fact that their pass rush was also poor -- it managed just 27 sacks, a figure only three teams had less than.

The presence of former Charger Shawne Merriman, finally healthy after injuries marred the last three seasons, should help. Merriman has been active and disruptive in practice, and head coach Chan Gailey's main concern is to make sure Merriman lasts through the regular season, by giving him sessions off here and there. "I have seen flashes of the old Shawne Merriman," says Gailey. "I think that what we're trying to do is make sure he gets to Sept. 11 with a consistent amount of those flashes."

Merriman should have little trouble becoming the second Bills defender since the turn of the millennium to record more than 6.5 sacks in a season, and he could have many more than that.

2. Brad Smith is the new Slash. Buffalo signed Smith to a four-year, $15 million deal in late July with the idea that he'll be more than the return man and occasional trick-play specialist he'd been during his five seasons with the Jets. "I've never, ever had the opportunity to throw so much since I've been in the NFL," says the former Missouri quarterback of his first Bills training camp.

Gailey plans to use Smith in much the same way he used Kordell Stewart with the Steelers in 1996 -- as a regular passing, running and receiving threat. "The difference between Kordell and Brad is, Brad's got four or five years of experience," says Gailey. "I think Brad's able to handle a lot more in the first year of our Wildcat than what we did with Kordell that year."

Time will tell whether it will make a real difference in the Bills' overall production, but it ought to be a fascinating experiment.

3. Stevie Johnson, Pro Bowl? Johnson had just 12 receptions during his first two NFL seasons, but last season had 82 catches, 1,073 yards, 10 touchdowns and, after dropping a would-be game-winning touchdown pass in overtime against the Steelers in November, an awfully memorable tweet. Now Johnson seems poised to take the next step, to become a legitimate star on a team that could use one.

"Stevie, the way he's worked this offseason, the way he's worked in training camp, he wants to be the guy," says quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who will look Johnson's way more than ever after longtime deep threat Lee Evans was traded to the Ravens last week. "He's just hard to cover. He's slippery, he's a smart receiver, he's big. Especially once we get down to the red zone, people have a hard time covering him one on one."

Step On Up

C.J. Spiller, RB. Spiller wasn't exactly a bust after the Bills made him the ninth pick out of Clemson in the 2010 draft, but he was a disappointment. He received just 98 offensive touches (resulting in 283 yards rushing and 157 receiving) and scored a single touchdown. Spiller, though, promises his adjustment to the NFL has significantly advanced, and Gailey says he will find the ball in his hands more -- "in open spaces, if we possibly can."

Open spaces so that he can best take advantage of his agility and speed and also, presumably, so that he will have to less rely upon an offensive line that remains shaky and unsettled.

New Face, New Place

Nick Barnett, ILB. Barnett, 30, spurned big city suitors in part in an attempt to replicate the type of environment in which he spent his career's first eight seasons, in Green Bay. "I had some chances to go to some bigger markets -- Detroit, New York, Philly, whatever -- a couple places I could have explored," he says. "But I think you get a certain feeling, a certain vibe with these small town markets."

Barnett's antipathy toward the bright lights was fortunate for Buffalo, sometimes a difficult place to lure free agents to. He is a proven run-stopper with six 100-plus tackle seasons to his credit, and he and the Bills' 343-pound No. 3 overall pick, Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, should help ensure that their run defense will no longer be the league's most porous, if not better than average.

Looking At The Schedule ...

A 5-11 record is a distinct possibility. Buffalo might well win just one intradivision game, when it hosts Miami on Dec. 18, but matchups versus Oakland (Week 2), at Cincinnati (Week 4), versus Washington (Week 8), and versus Denver (Week 16) look promising. The result will be a seventh straight losing season, but at least it will represent a slight improvement on 2010's 4-12 finish.

 

[Faust]

Pryor's pro prospects, Cutler's toughness, more Snaps

Excerpts:

I don't know if Beck really is the answer at quarterback in Washington, but I left Redskins camp last week believing that Mike and Kyle Shanahan believe he is. Grossman won't win the starting job unless Beck falls flat on his face this preseason, and Beck will get his candidacy fully underway with this week's start at Indianapolis. Make no mistake: Beck will win the starting job if it's even remotely close. That much is clear after listening to Mike Shanahan rave about the ex-BYU standout.

"I'm not even worried about the quarterback position,'' Mike Shanahan said last week, after a morning practice session in which Beck was limited by a groin strain. "I think it's funny (meaning the doubts), because I know the guy can play. I don't even question that. I know [beck] can play. John will be fine. He'll play and he'll be a good player, because he's athlete, because he can anticipate throws, and he's extremely bright. I watched him for a year, and I had him as my top (collegiate quarterback) coming out (in 2007). He can do it all. The guy just has never really had a chance in pro football. He hasn't played.''

That's kind of the point, but Shanahan is determined to provide Beck that opportunity. You get the sense Shanahan sees Beck as a difference maker, while Grossman is viewed as a very serviceable quarterback you can win with, providing he has a quality supporting cast. If anything, the Shanahans are so confident in Beck that they're trying not to build him up too much, so his play can do all the talking.

Beck knows enough about how the NFL works to know having someone who believes in you and gives you an opportunity is about 70 percent of the equation. And four years after he got a first chance with a horrible 1-15 Dolphins team, he has his long-awaited second chance in Washington.

"I've always believed in myself, but no one knows all that stuff that really went on in Miami,'' Beck told me. "Everybody wants to have their own opinion about what they think happened, but nobody but me and the people who were there really know what happened. So I've held onto that belief, worked hard, and hoped someone else would believe the same way.

"I didn't know who it was going to be or when it was going to come, but I felt like somewhere down the road somebody would be like, 'Hey, I still think this guy can do it.' I feel like I'm in that situation right now, and this is the good opportunity I've waited for.''

I'm going to go out on a limb and name Sam Bradford the class of the NFC West quarterback crop for a second year in a row, given that both Arizona's and Seattle's starters (Kevin Kolb and Tarvaris Jackson, respectively) were backups in 2010, and San Francisco's Alex Smith appears trapped in an endless cycle of hope followed by failure and frustration with the 49ers.

But if there's anything I'm certain about in the formative stages of the 2011 season, it's that Bradford is going to have a monster second season in the NFL, with far better stats than last year's 18 touchdown passes, 15 interceptions and 76.5 passer rating as the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Rams have so many more offensive weapons, and Bradford told me he already sees a night and day difference in terms of his comprehension in year two.

"It's not even close,'' Bradford said. "Obviously we're running a new offense [under first-year Rams coordinator Josh McDaniels], but I just see things so much quicker, so much clearer now. It's not even funny. You really don't know what you don't know as a rookie. A couple days ago I was sitting in a meeting, and after I left it, I realized we were talking about some pretty deep stuff in there. I've never had a meeting like that before, and I was kind of like, 'Wow, I really didn't know much at all last year.' Now I understand the things Josh is trying to teach me that are at a level I wouldn't have understood last year.''

 

[zamboni]

Most important thread of the year.

You've done incredible work in taking the time and synthesizing everything, Faust.Much obliged.