Jene Bramel
Footballguy
http://subscribers.footballguys.com/apps/article.php?article=14bramel_sundayAM_idp_9
EARLY GAMES
Arizona at Dallas
Tony Jefferson fully participated in practice Friday and has been cleared to play today. Tyrann Mathieu and Deone Bucannon remain subpackage players, making their snap expectation difficult to figure in most weeks. With the Cowboys possibly going run heavy with Tony Romo injured, we may see relatively less of both Mathieu and Bucannon today.
Kyle Wilbur is expected to start for Justin Durant, with Rolando McClain and Bruce Carter playing every-down roles. Watch Anthony Hitchens' snap count, however. Rookie DeMarcus Lawrence has been activated and will have a rotational role today. He's a longshot to have consistent value, but I'll review his snaps closely in this week's RTD.
Jacksonville at Cincinnati
J.T. Thomas started and played every down at middle linebacker last week. That tells you what the coaches think of Geno Hayes. The clock may now be ticking on Telvin Smith taking over as an every-down backer, especially with Jacksonville all but out of playoff contention. Dwayne Gratz was limited this week with a groin injury, but listed probable.
With Vontaze Burfict out, we'll see Vinny Rey at middle linebacker and a rotation of Jayson DiManche and Marquis Flowers at one outside linebacker position. Emmanuel Lamur and Rey will be the every-down players. Last week's explosion of assists, with very few solos, may be a one week anomaly for the Cincinnati home stat crew or it may be a return to the painful 2011 and 2012 seasons. Lower your expectations for Lamur and Rey unless you get equal points for solos and assists. The matchup is unfavorable, too.
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