Review: NFL Pre-Season Week #3
There was a lot of quarterback action and talk in the NFL over the last week. Guys were moved into starting jobs, others moved out.
But after three weeks worth of games, there are some numbers that really jump out when you look at quarterbacks in the league:
- Tom Brady (foot) β three games for New England, no snaps.
- Peyton Manning (knee) β four games for Indianapolis, no snaps.
- Matt Hasselbeck (back) β three games for Seattle, 12 snaps, all in the first pre-season game.
And then Monday night we watch Philip Rivers of the Chargers play against Seattle. There’s no way this guy is 100 percent after off-season knee surgery. He doesn’t so much run as hobble. He does everything he can not to put too much weight on that right knee and leg.
That’s four quarterbacks for four teams considered championship timber. Now, it’s expected that all four will be ready for their season opener, but it leaves you wondering how this season will come together for those teams. Remember, every season requires new chemistry; can these guys re-capture what they’ve had, despite their physical maladies?
Among the starting quarterbacks on other teams considered contenders, it’s a mixed bag:
- New York Giants Eli Manning β 16 of 30 for 184 yards, 2 TD passes and 0 INT.
- Dallas Cowboys Tony Romo β 24 of 31 for 232 yards, 1 TD pass and 1 INT.
- Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers β 36 of 53 for 368 yards, 2 TD passes and 1 INT.
- Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger β 21 of 30 for 245 yards, 2 TD passes and 1 INT.
- New Orleans Saints Drew Brees β 32 of 46 for 386 yards, 4 TD passes and no interceptions.
- Philadelphia Eagles Donovan McNabb β 34 of 54 for 375 yards, 2 TD passes and no interceptions.
Here’s news on the rest of what happened in pre-season week No. 3
INJURIES
Houston WR Harry Williams was immobilized and carried off the field after injuring his neck against Dallas. He suffered a fracture of his C-3 vertebrae and had no movement in his limbs as he was taken off the field. Movement returned in the hospital and surgery was performed to fuse several vertebrae and stabilize the injury. He should make a complete recovery, but his football career is over β¦ Washington DE Jason Taylor left the field with a right knee injury and should be out a minimum of two weeks β¦ New York Giants DE Osi Umenyiora left the field with a left knee injury and is likely done for the season β¦ Tampa Bay LB Antoine Cash was carried off the field with a neck injury β¦ Denver safety Marquand Manuel suffered a broken thumb and will need surgery.
RUSHING
Olathe’s and K-State’s Darren Sproles led all rushers over the third weekend with 13 carries for 102 yards, including a touchdown run for the Chargers against Seattle.
Carolina ran wild over Washington, as DeAngelo Williams ran nine times for 101 yards including a 60-yard TD and Jonathan Stewart ran 10 times for 100 yards, with a 50-yard TD run.
Miami’s Jalen Parmele ran seven times for 88 yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs.
San Francisco’s Thomas Clayton out of Kansas State ran 18 times for 81 yards and a TD against Chicago.
PASSING
San Francisco’s J.T. O’Sullivan hit 7 of 8 passes for 126 yards and a TD pass against Chicago for a perfect passer rating of 158.3.
Arizona’s Brian St. Pierre was seven of eight for 96 yards and one TD pass for a passer rating of 156.2.
New England’s Matt Gutierrez was 14 of 24 for 217 yards and two TD passes against Philadelphia, for a passer rating of 139.
Philadelphia’s Donovan McNabb hit 13 of 17 passes for 180 yards and one TD pass against New England for a passer rating of 129.5
RECEIVING
San Francisco’s Jason Hill caught four passes for 94 yards against Chicago, including a 37-yard TD catch.
Indianapolis’ Devin Aromashodu caught one pass against Buffalo, but it went for 94 yards and a TD.
Baltimore’s Derrick Mason caught six passes for 85 yards and a TD against St. Louis.
New Orleans Lance Moore caught four passes for 79 yards against Cincinnati.
DEFENSE
Buffalo’s Terrence McGee returned a fumble 68 yards for a touchdown against Indianapolis.
New Orleans safety Kevin Kaesviharn had four tackles, 1.5 sacks, a tackle for minus yardage and two quarterback hurries against Cincinnati.
New York Giants LB Gerris Wilkinson had nine tackles.
New York Jets LB Calvin Pace had two sacks against the Giants.
As a team, the Jets sacked Giants quarterbacks eight times.
As a team, Buffalo forced five turnovers by Indianapolis.
Jacksonville S Reggie Nelson had two interceptions against Tampa Bay.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Philadelphia’s Quintin Demps returned a kickoff 101 yards for a touchdown against New England. On the night, Demps averaged 46.7 yards on three returns.
Philadelphia’s DeSean Jackson returned a punt 76 yards for a touchdown against the Patriots.
Chicago’s Daniel Manning averaged 85.5 yards on two official kickoff returns against San Francisco. He had returns of 75 and 36 yards and also took a lateral from Devin Hester and ran 60 yards on a kickoff return play that went for a total of 72 yards.
Green Bay punter Jon Ryan hit three punts for an average of 60 yards, with a net average of 49.7 yards. He got off a 72-yard punt in the game.
Houston kick returner Andre Davis returned three kickoffs for a 40.7-yard average, including one for 68 yards.
FORMER CHIEFS
Center Casey Wiegmann started at center for the Broncos offense, while WR Samie Parker did not play against Green Bay and was released on Monday by Denver β¦ TE Kris Wilson caught one pass for 7 yards for Philadelphia against New England β¦ T John Welbourn played for the Patriots against the Eagles β¦ WR-KR Dante Hall returned one punt for one yards for St. Louis against Baltimore before leaving the game with an ankle injury β¦ QB Trent Green did not play against the Ravens β¦ DE Jared Allen started for Minnesota but was not credited with any statistics β¦ CB Benny Sapp had five tackles for Vikings against Pittsburgh β¦ LB Keyaron Fox had one special teams tackle for Steelers against the Vikings ,,, DE Jimmy Wilkerson had two tackles and one sack for Tampa Bay against Jacksonville.
don’t forget Michael Bennett as a former Chief, rushed 5 times for 24 yards for Tampa Bay
All these injuries, noted above, again beg the question about the pre-season being too long, too many games but too many greedy owners wanting the extra revenue as they hold the season ticket holders hostage with the pre-season ‘package’.
Remember, Parmele might have had 7 runs for 88 yards, but ignore that one run and he had 6 runs for 8 yards! He got it at the end of the game with the scrubs. Eh.
The preseason is to long cosidering the year round training of the better athletes. However, this one year our Chiefs need every opportunity to make the off. and def. gel. So I guess it all evens out in the long run.