Dynasty Preseason Game Blitz: Week Three, Part Two

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 third 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. Cardinals

Vincent Brown, WR SD
With the Chargers receiving corps in disarray, you want to be excited about Brown; however,  Brown only had one catch for nine yards on two targets (one was in the end zone that pass interference was called on his defender).  Can Rivers find the find to get him the ball? I’m not so sure now.

Fozzy Whittaker, RB SD
The second year back out of Arizona impressed again.  Whittaker is a scat back with soft hands, good vision, decent wiggles and really knows how to play the angles.  If Woodhead or Mathews gets hurt, the Fozzy Bear might buy you a few laughs and some short-term points.

Michael Floyd, WR ARI
The second year receiver proved he has great body control as he contorted to the ball and tippy toe-tapped his way to a touchdown in the back of the end zone. The question is with more injuries to the o-line and the lack of a running game, will Palmer have the time to get him the ball?

Steelers vs. Chiefs

Jonathan Dwyer, RB PIT
Once again, the fourth year running back stepped up when his team needed him. Dwyer has quick feet, soft hands and tends to bounce plays outside as he runs better in space.  In pass protection, he had a mixed night picking up about 80% of the blitzers. His best play was a short dump off pass that he took to the end zone untouched.

Donnie Avery, WR KC
The veteran was running short patterns and turning quickly for the ball.  Avery became an extension of the running game as the downfield passing game was not working well.

David Paulson, TE PIT
The second year tight end had a case of the nerves as he dropped his first pass, but rebounded with his next target.  Paulson brings little after the catch and is nothing more than a glorified wide receiver in a tight end’s body.

Alex Smith, QB KC
When it came to throwing the ball, Smith was inaccurate.  There were too many off-target passes, but he did shock the Steelers defense with a 37-yard run down the sideline.  Perhaps Smith should become a zone read guy.

Markus Wheaton, WR PIT
The rookie did not play much with the starters, but he certainly made an impact.  Wheaton was quick, ran sharp routes and got behind the second string defense for a long touchdown catch in double coverage. It’s just a matter of time as he graduated late, so Wheaton needs a little more time with the playbook.

Dolphins vs. Bucs

Lamar Miller, RB MIA
Perhaps I’m seeing things, but Miller is a better back than Daniel Thomas.  He follows his blockers well as he is a one cut and go runner.  Hopefully the Miami coaching staff will call more counter plays so he can show off his quick feet and solid vision.

Brandon Gibson, WR MIA
The Miami tight end problem might be solved by this fifth year receiver, not Charles Clay.  Gibson catches the ball well in the middle of the field under heavy duress.  He bobbled a pass away in the end zone, but redeemed himself on a later drive with a nice catch in traffic for the touchdown.

Brian Leonard, RB TB
The seasoned vet started for the recovering Doug Martin and looked like the safe choice.  Leonard follows his blockers, protects his quarterback and has soft hands – it’s too bad that is the work of a third down back as I think the offense falls apart when Martin is not on the field.

Jets vs. Giants

Geno Smith, QB NYJ
The Jets will have a dearth of offensive fantasy production this season.  Smith was inaccurate throwing the ball farther than ten yards down the field.  His footwork is a mess which is why many of his passes got away from him.  The result of those errors were three interceptions in the first half and stepping out of the end zone for a safety.  I would only want him as a QB3 in any dynasty league as the pressure will be too much and the weapons to help him are dire.

Ben Obomanu, WR NYJ
The seventh year wide receiver may get cut this next week or he may make the Jets as he has the best chemistry with the young Smith.  Obomanu got loose in the zone and scored Geno’s best touchdown to date.  Unlike most Jets offensive weapons,Obomanu wants to be there.

Andre Brown, RB NYG
He is clearly the better pass protector and goal line runner, but he is losing the battle to Wilson.  Every time Brown runs for three yards or gets stuffed at the goal line, Coughlin falls more in love with Wilson.

Bengals vs. Cowboys

Jermaine Gresham, TE CIN
Don’t forget about this former first rounder as he saw more work with the first team this preseason than Tyler Eifert.  Gresham catches the ball at its highest point, runs hard after the catch and will be on the field every down, unlike the specialist rookie.

Phillip Tanner, RB DAL
The injury to Lance Dunbar opened the door for this third year back.  Tanner is a bit taller and leaner than most NFL running backs, but that helps him as a one cut and go runner.  He follows his blockers well, is light on his feet with almost a glide and brings out a spin move every once and awhile.  Although Tanner struggles as an inside runner, there is a place for him as a third down back in Dallas’ pass based offense.

Terrance Williams, WR DAL
I wish the rookie was doing more.  He is lining up in most three wide sets, but is not receiving that many targets.  He is drawing some pass interference penalties and is an effective run blocker, which should cause his snaps to increase in the regular season.

Gio Bernard, RB CIN
The rookie running back is a very explosive runner who is very shifty.  Bernard plays better in space as he has room to make defenders miss.  At times, he can get caught up in the trash of the line of scrimmage unless he gets low and uses his vision to find small creases to expose.

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