NFL NEWS
– It’s official. The Bills will start JP Losman at quarterback in Week One. This decision is sure to add fuel to the raging debate over whether Losman or Shaun King is the greatest quarterback ever to come out of Tulane University.
– Did you take a flier on Curtis Martin in the late rounds of your fantasy draft? If you did, congratulations, he’s on the Physically Unable to Perform List and must miss the first six weeks of the season. Kevan Barlow, who was traded to the Jets last week, is expected to be the starter at running back in week one.
– Ok, what about Domanick Davis? Did you use a 2nd or 3rd round pick on him? If you did, you’re awesome, because the Texans might cut him or place him on the injured list to start the season.
– A couple of goofy QB signings this week. The Raiders signed Jeff George, who hasn’t taken an NFL snap in like 4 years, to back up Aaron Brooks, and maybe even pressure him for the starting job. Meanwhile, the Titans signed Kerry Collins, and word is going around that he could be the starter by the time the regular season rolls around.
– The trade winds were blowing in the NFL this week. The Eagles acquired wide receiver Dante Stallworth from the Saints. This means that not only does Stallworth’s stock go up, but so does Devery Henderson’s, as he will move into Stallworth’s #2 receiver spot in New Orleans.
– The Jaguars lost one of the many pieces of their running back menagerie when Greg Jones suffered a season ending injury. That now leaves Fred Taylor, LaBrandon Toefield, and Maurice Jones-Drew among the contestants for the team’s feature back job.
– For those of you who have been in a coma the last couple of weeks, the TO thing is not going so well for Dallas. He’s nursing a hamstring injury, driving Bill Parcells nuts, and scuttling the Cowboys season before it even starts. All this for a 32 year old wide receiver who has been inactive for 11 of the last 26 NFL gamedays, and who hasn’t ranked in the top 5 in the league in receiving yards in any season since 2001, when he ranked third. David Boston led the league in receiving yards that year, to give you an idea how long ago that really was. Great-o signing.
And that’s what’s happened in the League since I last spoke to you. Now, we continue with our painstaking recap of every preseason game that’s been played. If you’ll recall, last weekend we reviewed the performance of the top 10 draft picks in their Week 2 preseason tilts. In this column, I’m dotting my I’s and crossing my T’s by wrapping up the rest of Week 2.
NFL PRESEASON JOURNAL- WEEK 2 CONTINUED…
AT RAVENS 20, EAGLES 10 (HALFTIME- EAGLES 10-3)
WHATSAMATTA YOU?
The Ravens need to get their running game back on track this year, but the guys they are counting on were ineffective in this game. Jamal Lewis managed only 27 yards on 9 carries, and running back 1A, Mike Anderson, had only 8 yards on 3 carries. Raven QBs were sacked seven times.
Eagles’ second year running back Ryan Moats lost 2 fumbles, and that’s a good way to make sure you don’t see a lot of playing time.
HOW ABOUT?
Devard Darling, a 3rd year wideout trying to stick with the Ravens, had 5 catches for 142 yards and caught a 27 yard TD strike from Kyle Boller. Baltimore’s #1 wideout, Derrick Mason, was in good form, teaming up with Steve McNair for 72 yards on 5 catches. 3rd string RB Musa Smith broke a 43 yard TD run. He might be moved up to #2, because Anderson sprained his foot in this game.
Veteran DE Juqua Thomas had 2 ½ sacks for the Eagles, and backup running back Correll Buckhalter turned a shovel pass into a 48 yard gain.
DRAFTEE REPORT
Stand up and take a bow Broderick Bunkley. The Florida St. DT lived up to being the 14th player taken in the draft with 3 tackles and 1 ½ sacks for Philly. 5th rounder Jeremy Bloom (Colorado) had a pair of kickoff returns, then left with a hamstring injury. 5th round linebacker Omar Gaither (Tennessee) had 3 tackles.
For Baltimore, 4th round RB PJ Daniels (Georgia Tech) struggled to 14 yards on 7 carries. Fellow Yellow Jacket alum, 5th round safety Dawan Landry started at strong safety, and is listed as the starter on the depth chart as well. 7th round DE Ryan LaCasse (Syracuse) had a sack.
STAT CORNER
RUSHING YARDS/ATT- PHI- 3.1, BAL- 4.3
PASSING YARDS/ATT- PHI- 4.5, BAL- 6.5
TURNOVERS AGAINST- PHI- 3, BAL- 1
SACKS AGAINST- PHI- 4, BAL- 7
PASSING LEADERS- PHI- D. McNabb 6-10-97 1/0, BAL- S. McNair 14-18-148 0/0
RUSHING LEADERS- PHI- Marty Johnson 3-24, BAL- Musa Smith 4-55
RECEIVING LEDERS- PHI- C. Buckhalter 1-48, BAL- Devard Darling 5-121
TD’s- PHI- Reno Mahe; BAL- Devard Darling
McNair Must Have Listened To IPSR This Week
AT GIANTS 17, CHIEFS 0 (HALFTIME- GIANTS 14-0)
WHATSAMATTA YOU?
Larrry Johnson had only 8 yards on 4 carries for KC. I’m not saying it’s time to smash each other’s skulls open, and feast on the goo inside, but still.
HOW ABOUT?
2nd year linebacker Derrick Johnson is the closest thing the Chiefs have to a defensive star, and he looked the part in this game with 9 tackles.
Eli Manning was very efficient in this game for the Giants. He completed all but 3 of his 14 attempts, and threw a 5 yard TD pass to Amani Toomer in the first quarter.
DRAFTEE REPORT
2 of the Chiefs top 3 picks, DE Tamba Hali (Penn St.) and QB Brodie Croyle (Alabama) did not see the field in this game. 2nd round safety Bernard Pollard (Purdue) did and had 4 tackles.
The Giants were skewered for taking DE Mathias Kiwanuka (Boston College) in the first round. Not by me though. Go back and read my draft recap and you’ll see I said it was an excellent pick. He had 3 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. 2nd round WR Sinorice Moss (Miami) did not play.
STAT CORNER
RUSHING YARDS/ATT- KC- 2.4, NYG- 4.3
PASSING YARDS/ATT- KC- 2.6, NYG- 4.4
TURNOVERS AGAINST- KC 0, NYG 0
SACKS AGAINST- KC 3, NYG 3
PASSING LEADERS- KC- Casey Printers 5-10-33 0/0, NYG- E. Manning 11-14-80 1/0
RUSHING LEADERS- KC- Dee Brown 4-15, NYG- B. Jacobs 9-40
RECEIVING LEDERS- KC- Kris Wilson 2-16, NYG- Mike Jennings 3-24
TD’s- KC None, NYG A. Toomer, B. Jacobs
VIKINGS 17, AT STEELERS 10 (HALFTIME- VIKINGS 10-7)
WHATSAMATTA YOU?
Mike McMahon’s not scoring any points in the competition to be Brad Johnson’s backup. He went 1 of 7 for 42 yards and an interception.
HOW ABOUT?
No problem with the other 2 Minnesota QB’s though. Brad Johnson and Travaris Jackson combined to complete 18 of 22 passes for 151 yards and 2 TDs.
DRAFTEE REPORT
Jackson was the Vikings 3rd pick of the 2nd round. He played at a I-AA school (Alabama St.), but the consensus is that he has the ability to be the Vikings’ starting quarterback very soon, and he looked up to the task in this game. 5th round pick Greg Blue (Georgia) had four tackles and a pass defense.
For the Steelers, first round WR Santonio Holmes (Ohio St.) had 1 catch for 11 yards, and a nice 12 yard punt return. 3rd rounder Willie Reid (Florida St.) had 3 receptions. 4th round DT Orien Harris (Miami) had 3 tackles. QB Omar Jacobs (Bowling Green) completed 3 of 7 attempts for 28 yards.
STAT CORNER
RUSHING YARDS/ATT- MIN 3.5, PIT 5.3
PASSING YARDS/ATT- MIN 5.6, PIT 4.9
TURNOVERS AGAINST- MIN 1, PIT 2
SACKS AGAINST- MIN 2, PIT 4
PASSING LEADERS- MIN Travaris Jackson 9-11-80 1/0, PIT C. Batch 8-14-103 0/1
RUSHING LEADERS- MIN C. Taylor 10-36, PIT John Kuhn 8-30
RECEIVING LEDERS- MIN Jason Carter 2-48, PIT
TD’s- PIT- Cedrick Wilson, MIN- Jermaine Wiggins, Jason Carter
Dig On The Shiny Purple Pants
AT BEARS 24, CHARGERS 3 (HALFTIME- BEARS 14-3)
WHATSAMATTA YOU?
Bears’ QB Rex Grossman continues to have issues with the sucking. He converted his 14 attempts into a 38.7 passer rating. His totals so far this preseason, 10 for 25, 130 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT. Excelsior to you, Sexy Rexy.
HOW ABOUT?
A 100 yard kickoff return for a TD by Bears’ WR Rashied Davis, and a 64 yard interception return for a score by Brian Urlacher. The Bears should just start punting on first down.
DRAFTEE REPORT
Bears 2nd round corner Devin Hester (Miami), had a pair of punt returns, one of which he fumbled. 4th round LB Jamar Williams (Arizona St.) had a fumble recovery.
For the Chargers, first round corner Antonio Cromartie (Florida St.) was flagged 3 times for 25 yards. 3rd round QB Charlie Whitehurst (Clemson) looks like he’ll be #2 behind Philip Rivers. He completed 11 of 19 for 97 yards and an INT.
STAT CORNER
RUSHING YARDS/ATT- SD 5.4, CHI 3.6
PASSING YARDS/ATT- SD 4.8, CHI 3.5
TURNOVERS AGAINST- SD 3, CHI 1
SACKS AGAINST- SD 1, CHI 2
PASSING LEADERS- SD Charlie Whitehurst 11-19-97 0/1, CHI Rex Grossman 7-14-83 0/1
RUSHING LEADERS- SD Michael Turner 6-55, CHI PJ Pope 14-56
RECEIVING LEADERS- SD Greg Camarillo 2-40, CHI Bernard Berrian 2-32
TD’s- SD None, CHI Brian Urlacher (D), Rashied Davis (KR), Justin Gage
PANTHERS 17, AT JAGUARS 10 (HALFTIME- PANTHERS 17-3)
WHATSAMATTA YOU?
Dave Garrard completely squashed any inkling of a QB controversy in North Florida by tossing 2 interceptions.
HOW ABOUT?
Carolina’s passing game didn’t miss a beat without Steve Smith, who sat out with a hamstring injury. Keary Colbert and Keyshawn Johnson combined for 83 yards on 5 catches, and Jake Delhomme was 10 of 18 for 129 yards.
DRAFTEE REPORT
The Panthers are counting on first round pick D’Angelo Williams (Memphis) to help carry the load at running back this year. His 7 yards on 4 carries does not inspire confidence. 2nd round corner Richard Marshall (Fresno St.) had an interception, and 3rd round LB James Anderson (Va Tech) had a sack.
Not a stellar night for the Jags top two draft picks. 1st round TE Mercedes Lewis (UCLA) was inactive, and RB Maurice Jones-Drew (UCLA) managed only 14 yards on 8 carries. 5th round DE Brent Hawkins (Illinois St.) did Bloomington-Normal proud with a sack.
STAT CORNER
RUSHING YARDS/ATT- CAR 5.0, JAX 3.3
PASSING YARDS/ATT- CAR 4.7, JAX 5.2
TURNOVERS AGAINST- CAR 0, JAX 3
SACKS AGAINST- CAR 4, JAX 3
PASSING LEADERS- CAR Jake Delhomme 10-18-129 0/0, JAX Dave Garrard 7-11-86 0/2
RUSHING LEADERS- CAR Alex Haynes 4-30, JAX LaBrandon Toefield 6-21
RECEIVING LEADERS- CAR Keary Colbert 2-45, JAX Reggie Williams 3-54
TD’s- CAR Nick Goings, Mike Rucker (D), JAX Greg Estandia
SEAHAWKS 30, AT COLTS 17 (HALFTIME- SEAHAWKS 20-7)
WHATSAMATTA YOU?
The Colts have now lost 39 preseason games in a row, dating back to when Chris Chandler was their hotshot rookie QB. Oh, and the vaunted Dominic Rhodes/Joseph Addai combo that’s supposed to replace Edgerrin James? 32 yards on 15 carries. Yeesh.
HOW ABOUT?
The Seahawks have to be liking that Seneca Wallace has looked like a viable backup quarterback to Matt Hasselbeck. Wallace completed 10 of 15 for 99 yards.
DRAFTEE REPORT
4th round selection Rob Sims (Ohio St.) started at left guard for the Seahawks. Interesting to note that the Hawks did not run a single running play towards him. 7th round wideout Ben Obomanu (Auburn) averaged 19.5 yards on 2 kickoff returns.
Joseph Addai is not looking like an adequate replacement for Edgerrin James. He had 17 yards on 9 carries. 6th round pick Antoine Bethea (Howard) started at strong safety for the Colts and had 8 tackles.
STAT CORNER
RUSHING YARDS/ATT- SEA 3.9, IND 3.6
PASSING YARDS/ATT- SEA 6.3, IND 8.2
TURNOVERS AGAINST- SEA 0, IND 3
SACKS AGAINST- SEA 3, IND 1
PASSING LEADERS- SEA Seneca Wallace 10-15-99 0/0, IND Shaun King 14-22-146 0/0
RUSHING LEADERS- SEA Leonard Weaver 14-51, IND Tony Hollings 8-30
RECEIVING LEADERS- SEA Bobby Engram 5-64, IND Reggie Wayne 2-55
TD’s- SEA Leonard Weaver, Mike Green (D), Chris Spencer (D), IND Reggie Wayne, Tony Hollings
Preseason Is Not The Colts Season
THAT’S A WRAP
Aaaand I’m spent. Later this week, we’ll review the goings on in the all important Week 3 of the preseason. That’s the week that teams use as their dress rehearsal for the real thing, and we’ll look for any clues those games gave us as to how the teams will perform when the season starts in two weeks. Until then, why don’t you have a look at my fantasy team:
QB- Peyton Manning
Chris Simms
RB- Willie Parker
Warrick Dunn
Deuce McAllister
Chris Brown
WR- Derrick Mason
Santana Moss
Rod Smith
Lee Evans
David Givens
Troy Williamson
TE- Jeremy Shockey
LJ Smith
K- Shayne Graham
D- Seahawks
I don’t see how this team can ever lose.
Okay then.
