Dynasty Preseason Game Blitz: Week Two, Part One

Preseason games, heck why do we even watch them?  For myself, it’s the thrill of football back on the television.  These games are somewhat important as we get clues on what NFL teams are thinking with personnel groupings and the like.  Keep in mind that not every game or quarter is made equal.  Now that we are into the second full week of the preseason, I tend to watch all the plays with the starters and the first series with the backups.  I will spend a little time on each game and give you some quick interpretations with what I’m seeing.  My focus will be on some fringe players, first year starters and the rookies.

Chargers vs. Bears

Chicago Offensive Line
The offensive line started out the game looking even worse than the week before.  Cutler barely had any time to throw the ball until they started to run the ball better. Once Forte exploited a crease, the Chargers defensive line couldn’t be as aggressive.

Devin Hester WR/KR/PR CHI
Perhaps the lack of snaps on offense will do Hester some good.  He looked impressive on his first kickoff return which he took 45 yards.  In return yardage leagues, he could be a nice sneaky flex play.

Marcus Bennett, TE CHI
It was disappointing to see him only touch the ball on a fumble recovery.  In fact both he and Alshon Jeffery did not receive a target from Cutler. So much for the “I’m not going to force feed the ball to Brandon Marshall” plan.

Keenan Allen, WR SD
On the rookie’s first target, he got his feet tangled with a defensive back, then knocked the ball into another defender’s arms for an interception.  Allen was used mostly in three wide receiver sets and has a bad habit of falling down in the middle of catching a pass. He also muffed a punt that was recovered by Chicago. Hopefully he can calm his nerves and maintain his balance because the Chargers need offensive weapons.

Fozzy Whittaker, RB SD
There was no sign of Danny Woodhead in this game.  Some fantasy pundits like Michael Hill to earn more playing time after Mathews and Woodhead, but it was Mr. Whittaker, the second year back out of Arizona, who was next up. He did fine in pass protection, looked quick in space after a little dump off pass and set up defenders with a good stutter step as he squirted into the end zone.

Vincent Brown, WR SD
The third year receiver had a quiet night with one catch for nine yards, but was targeted near the goal line.

Ravens vs. Falcons

Harry Douglas, WR ATL
Unlike last week, Douglas was unable to break away from traffic on a quick screen.  He looks like he will be their main punt returner and only saw deep targets after Roddy White left the game with an ankle injury.

Visanthe Shiancoe, TE BAL
The first two times he was targeted, it was easy to see Baltimore had a different #81.  Shiancoe had two drops and simply looked old out there.  Don’t buy any hype with him.

Jacoby Jones, WR BAL
He lined up as the WR2, but Jones still looks like an afterthought in this offense. The circle of trust with Flacco and fantasy owners might just be Rice, Smith and Pierce this season.

Jacquizz Rodgers, RB ATL
At times, Rodgers showed good body control, reversed his field, got small in the hole and broke out a nice stutter step.  The problem is he also looked overmatched in pass protection and is inconsistent running inside the tackles.

Lions vs. Browns

Jordan Cameron, TE CLE
The converted basketball player was lining up in the slot and as a fullback to confuse the defense. Cameron made a few acrobatic catches, including one in the end zone. He does a good job catching the ball at its highest point, out leaping his coverage.  The third year player had two touchdowns on the night.

Brandon Weeden, QB CLE
Old man river (as I like to call him) looked great stepping into his throws.  He had excellent ball placement and hit a few bucket shots caught on the edge of the sidelines by both Cameron and Josh Gordon.  His arm strength is a little underrated.

Brandon Pettigrew, TE DET
He looked a bit thicker to me than last season.  The fifth year tight end did not stretch the field and was clearly the fourth option after the two starting wide receivers and Reggie Bush.  I suspect Bush will erode whatever value that Pettigrew still has.

Patrick Edwards, WR DET
The second year receiver did a good job contorting to the ball, but did not get separation from his coverage.  Edwards was not asked to run deeper routes – with Calvin Johnson on the field, perhaps that will change as coverage should open up.

Panthers vs. Eagles

Nick Foles, QB PHI
The young quarterback demonstrated a bit more mobility than is usually seen. Foles made quick decisions, had a few issues with shotgun snaps, but mostly looked like he was flinging the ball around like a dart.  He did throw a pick off-balance, but did some decent damage with the dink and dunk game.

Zach Ertz, TE PHI
He lined up mostly in the slot, and looked like a center fielder making a nice diving catch over the middle with the slide.  Ertz has great body control and had the skills to catch the ball at its highest point.

Chris Polk, RB PHI
The second year running back played the part of the battering ram as he was all power and no wiggle.  On the plus side, he kept his legs churning until the whistle blew.  It was surprising to see him relieve LeSean McCoy two weeks in a row, but his ball security issues may change that plan.

Tauren Poole, RB CAR
He used his quick feet to get away from defenders, got small in the hole and was excellent reading his blockers. If Jonathan Stewart doesn’t come back soon, Poole could cement some playing time in this run centered Carolina offense.

Patriots vs. Bucs

Zach Sudfeld, TE NE
The “Mudder” continued to dominate the preseason.  He controlled his defender on the line of scrimmage and was a downfield threat in the passing game.  Sudfeld made two receptions in the end zone (a two point conversion and a touchdown) in heavy traffic that showed his soft hands and concentration.  If you draft Gronk, make sure you get him as well.

Mike James, RB TB
After Doug Martin went out due to a head issue, the rookie came in as a replacement.  James has a little wiggle to his game and catches the ball with ease.  He found a couple of creases and ran to daylight, which isn’t easy against the Patriots defense.

Kenbrell Thompkins, WR NE
The rookie was out again with the first team offense over fellow rookie Aaron Dobson.  Thompkins had a quiet night with only one reception, but caught this one with his hands, instead of his body, so that’s even more progress.

Chandler Jones, DE NE
The second year defensive end was quick and dominant at the point of attack.  He is a good tackler who applies pressure to the quarterback and had an impressive sack.

Raiders vs. Saints

Kenny Stills, WR NO
It seems if Marques Colston isn’t on the field, Stills might be number one in Brees’ heart.  The Oklahoma rookie was the quarterback’s first target of the night and caught Brees’ only touchdown as well – it was a tippy toe catch right across the goal line.  Stills can get separation and catches the ball away from his body for maximum speed adjustments. Watch out!

Matt Flynn, QB OAK
The Raiders could struggle this season with the not-so strong armed quarterback at the helm.  Flynn threw the ball behind receivers or let them be laid out by defenders.  He made an ill-advised forward pitch under pressure that was almost an interception. His pocket awareness is very concerning, but Flynn managed to throw a nicely targeted pass to Denarius Moore for a touchdown near the end of the first half. Buyers beware.

Nick Toon, WR NO
He was productive catching a long bomb from Brees as he looked like a Colston clone.  Toon lined up in multiple receiver spots and was strong in run blocking.

Mark Ingram, RB NO
I saw a quicker footed running back than last week.  Ingram was starting and stopping more suddenly while taking what the defense gave him.  He looked good on a screen play as he stayed behind reading his blockers.

Look for Part Two later in the week.

For follow up questions or information, contact me on twitter @AndrewMiley.