| by: Scott Sommers There was a lot that happened over this past weekend
as teams gear up to have starters in place by next weekend’s games. Here is
a recap of what went on.
Baltimore 13, Atlanta 10
Of course the big news in this game is that Michael Vick broke his leg and
is out at least six weeks. Before he got injured, Vick was 0-4 passing
against a very good Ravens defense. Doug Johnson, who is slated to get
the starting job, was 6-11 for 76 yards. Johnson can throw the ball, but
doing it consistently over a course of time has yet to be proven. Downgrade
your Falcons receivers and running backs until Vick gets back. The Ravens,
who are in the midst of finding a quarterback, may have found with Kyle
Boller. Boller was 9-18 for 132 and a touchdown and an interception. Chris
Redman was 4-7 for 42 yards. Jamal Lewis looks to be in regular season form
rushing for 32 yards and a score. Ron Johnsond some eyes with four
catches and 108 yards.
Green Bay 38, Cleveland 31
The big news out of this game is that Kelly Holcomb won the starting job
with his performance. Holcomb, who beat out Tim Couch, looked sharp. He
threw for a pair of scores and 166 yards. Half of them came on a screen pass
to William Green. Couch was solid, throwing for a score, but it wasn’t
enough. Green had 15 yards rushing and 82 receiving, making him a very good
back to snag.
Favre was Favre, dissecting the Browns defense. It could be a long year for
that group. Ahman Green had 55 yards rushing, but more importantly he scored
from the 1 when Najeh Davenport couldn’t. That may put to bed all the talks
of Davenport being the goal line back. Donald Driver was solid with four
catches and a score.
San Francisco 14, Oakland 10
Jeff Garcia didn’t play, due to a sore back. Ken Dorsey was decent throwing
for a score, while Kevan Barlow rushed for 29 yards. Rich Gannon didn’t look
sharp completing only three passes for 45 yards. Rookie Justin Fargas
continues to shine this preseason, rushing for 126 yards.
Indianapolis 21, Seattle 7
The Colts look ready for the season to start. Manning threw for a pair of
scores and complete 10 passes. Marvin Harrison, who maybe the top receiver,
had five catches for 74 yards and a touchdown. Edgerrin James didn’t play
due to a sore hamstring, but don’t let that worry you. Matt Hasselback
struggled completing only three passes for 25 yards. Shaun Alexander rushed
for 32 yards and had 26 yards receiving. Alexander is a top-five back and if
he is more involved in the passing game, that could push him closer to the
top.
Denver 15, Chicago 10
The Broncos continue to look good. Jake Plummer was sharp again going
8-of-13 for 117 yards. Ashley Lelie continues to push for the other starting
job making four grabs for 51 yards. Clinton Portis looks solid with 28 yards
rushing in limited action. Kordell Stewart didn’t look good at all going
3-for-8 for 36 yards. Anthony Thomas and Adrian Peterson did nothing to
distinguish themselves combining for 28 yards and a score.
Jacksonville 27, Miami 23
If the writing on the wall for Brunell wasn’t already in bold print, it is
now. David Garrard and Byron Leftwich looked outstanding. Garrard went 12 of
17 for 135 while Leftwich was 7 for 10 84 yards and a pretty pass to Donald
Hayes for a score. J.J. Stokes, who will have to assume the teams number one
option made 4 grabs for 54 yards.
Fiedler looked good throwing for a score, while Ricky Williams rushed for 11
yards and snagged three passes, including a touchdown.
Carolina 20, NY Giants 10
The Giants’ offense seems to be hitting stride already. Collins looked
good throwing for 127 yards and a touchdown. Tiki Barber rushed for 61 yards
on 15 carries. Amani Toomer snagged three for 57 yards. The Giants’ offense
could be one of the most underrated in the league. Collins could be a great
sleeper pick, while Barber has fended off all challengers.
The Panthers offense continues to struggle in the passing game. Peete
completed just two passes, while Jake Delhomme wasn’t a lot better. Stephen
Davis seems to remain the Panthers’ best fantasy prospect churning out 22
yards in just six carries.
Tennessee 37, Buffalo 22
The Titans’ offense seems to look even better than it did last year. The
first team shredded the Bills’ defense. McNair looked great throwing for a
score and finishing with 70 yards passing. Eddie George still isn’t gaining
a lot of yards running the ball, but he is the Titans goal line back and
could push double digit scores again this year.
Bledsoe struggled a bit in the passing game with the loss of Peerless Price
looking like a bigger problem than it was originally thought to be. Travis
henry made good use of his limited rushing chances. Josh Reed, who is in
line to take over Price’s spot had only one catch.
Kansas City 26, Minnesota 16
The highest-scoring team in the league last year is tearing it up again.
Trent Green threw for 152 yards and a touchdown in a limited performance.
Priest Holmes is showing no ill effect of his hip injury rushing for 41
yards on just nine carries.
Culpepper looked ok, but the real battle is for the running back spot.
Onterrio Smith didn’t gain a lot of yardage, but he did score from the one.
If he proves that he can run the ball inside the five, he could have a super
season. Doug Chapman had 34 yards on just six carries. The odd man out may
be Moe Williams. Keep an eye on that.
Cincinnati 23, Detroit 10
The Bengals’ offense wasn’t bad. They looked real good with Carson
Palmer at the helm Palmer was a perfect 7-for-7 with a pair of scores. Jon
Kitna threw for 90 yards, while Corey Dillon only rushed for four. Dillon
will get his yardage as the Bengals look to improve their passing attack to
free him up.
Joey Harrington was inconsistent throwing for only 27 yards. He may have to
start watching his back with Mike McMahon playing well. James Stewart seems
to have locked his spot rushing for 33 yards on nine carries. Rookie Charles
Rogers had two catches for 18 yards.
New Orleans 22, NY Jets 17
The Saints’ offense looked ok with Aaron Brooks and Duece McAllister
each doing fairly well in limited time. Brooks completed seven passes for 88
yards. McAllister rushed for 45 yards.
Chad Pennington continues his precision passing throwing for 141 yards and a
score that went to Curtis Conway. Santana Moss caught five for 62 yards. The
Jets’ offense could sneak up on some teams with Conway and Moss being solid
sleeper picks.
Arizona 16, San Diego 10
Good thing this wasn’t a regular season game. Neither team did a lot.
The Cards were without Emmitt Smith and Marcel Shipp, but got a real nice
performance from Damien Anderson, who rushed for 123 yards. Drew Brees
looked decent with 48 yards passing. David Boston played and only had one
reception.
Dallas 34, Houston 6
The Cowboys seem to have heard Parcells message. Troy Hambrick rushed for 38
yards and a score. Quincy Carter looked good throwing for 141 yards and a
score. Carter seems to have taken the lead, but don’t be surprised if
something happens before the start of the season at the quarterback spot.
David Carr was okay, but still isn’t with a fantasy spot yet. Stacey Mack
seems to have the starting job with a solid performance, rushing for 16
yards and catching for 25 yards. Rookie Tony Hollings had 45 yards on 14
carries. He could be a super sleeper and worth a move late in the year.
Philadelphia 21, Pittsburgh 16
Cornoll Buckhalter has the job, now that rumors of Duce Staley being traded
are rampant. He rushed for a score in limited action. McNabb is showing no
rust throwing for 77 yards.
Tommy Maddox was average at best throwing for 46 yards. Jerome Bettis got a
red zone touchdown, but it was Amos Zereoue that was moving the chains. This
smells like RBBC all year long.
New England 20, Washington 10
Tom Brady looked very good, throwing for 145 yards and a touchdown to
David Patten. Antwain Smith seems to have regained his top running back
spot, rushing for 33 yards and a score.
Patrick Ramsey threw the ball well, throwing for 149 yards. Kenny Watson
rushed for 62 yards in his quest to become the Redskins starting running
back. Coles had a pair of catches for 62 yards. He will thrive in this
offense. Trung Candiate played decent, but another RBBC looks to be in the
works. |