Dynasty Preseason Game Blitz: Week Three, Part Three

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.

Saints vs. Texans

Ben Tate, RB HOU
The possible 2014 free agent started the game ice-cold as he was getting boxed up behind the line of scrimmage and fumbled on a bad exchange.  Once Tate settled in, he got low to the ground, found a few seams, glided around and powered himself into the end zone.

Garrett Graham, TE HOU
The fourth year veteran was used in the base two tight end sets.  Graham does a good job keeping defenders away from the ball, has decent separation and catches the ball easily.  He was dragging two defenders with him as he fought for more yardage in the red zone.

Nick Toon, WR NO
The second year receiver plays so much like Colston as he played physical against his defenders.  Toon leapt up to make a beautiful catch, but the ball got ripped from his hands, so it looks like he is losing the WR3 to Stills.

Cameron Jordan, DE NO
I had some serious concerns with his play when Jordan was moved from a 4-3 defensive end to a 3-4 one.  He got great pressure on the quarterback, causing a sack and a few pressures by overpowering his would-be blockers.

Mark Ingram, RB NO
My mancrush is waning.  Yes, Ingram looked great on his two screen passes where he was set up in space and could set the angles where he takes on defenders.  The second year back does not look like he will get enough carries to get into a rhythm to be more effective, though.

Pierre Thomas, RB NO
Despite not playing much in the preseason, Thomas started the game and looked impressive.  He ran hard and burst away from the defense on a 50+ yard touchdown reception that was just a dump off pass.  The trick is Thomas’ amount of carries don’t change from year to year, so enjoy him for the time you have him.

Kenny Stills, WR NO
And the winner is…Kenny Stills!  First, it’s the amazing one-handed catch on the sideline.  Second it’s the separation he seems to create on every play.  Third, Stills made it look easy on his shake and bake post route for a touchdown.

Vikings vs. 49ers

Cordarrelle Patterson, WR MIN
The rookie did not do much as a kickoff returner, but looked good on his reverse where he wasn’t afraid to bring it back inside for extra yardage.  Patterson has started to do the little things: watching for first downs, leaning the ball across the marker and using a little head bob to help create space.

Kendall Hunter, RB SF
The third year back looks healthy. Hunter looked fast, explosive, decisive and held his own in pass protection.  He will carry the ball more this year to help keep Gore rested.

Marlion Moore, WR SF
The Dolphins reject looked like a decent possession receiver for the 49ers.  He ran good routes and demonstrated some power fighting for extra yards.  Moore might just be the 49ers WR2 in 2013.

Quinton Patton, WR SF
I hate when receivers let the ball get into their body, but that was the only mistake I saw him make.  Patton is a huge second effort guy who blocks downfield and brings a devastating spin move to the receiving corps.  He made a nice read with Kaepernick for a touchdown against the Vikings first team.

Vance McDonald, TE SF
The rookie was clearly playing with the twos this week.  The hurdle over defender move always impresses, but McDonald needs to improve his in-line blocking.

Eagles vs. Jaguars

Denard Robinson, RB JAX
The Jags lined him up as a running back, kick returner and as a wildcat quarterback.  With his size, I doubt if he becomes any fantasy force with MJD in town.

Damaris Johnson, WR PHI
The second year wide receiver/returner had quite the mixed game.  Johnson got bottled up early and then got very aggressive, which caused him to lose the ball on one of his punt returns.  He rebounded and burst away from the defense only to be caught by the facemask by the punter.  In return yardage leagues, grab Johnson if he is available.

Bryce Brown, RB PHI
When it comes to him or Chris Polk, I prefer Brown as he is a more explosive runner with better vision.  He made a better effort to run between the tackles, kept his legs churning and blocked downfield.

Jordan Todman, RB JAX
The second year back looked like he was shot out of a cannon once he got a lane to run through.  Todman took himself into fourth gear during his 62-yard touchdown sprint while many of the Eagles starters were on the field.

Browns vs. Colts

Kerwynn Williams, RB IND
The Utah State rookie has quick feet, uses a nice spin move and takes good angles to make defenders miss.  When Williams got the chance to run the ball, he danced around a little too much to be effective.

Jordan Cameron, TE CLE
The former basketball player was sacrificing his body to make several catches.  Cameron got slammed hard, but consistently held onto the ball.

Vick Ballard, RB IND
I hate to keep on riding Ballard, but he looks like an ordinary guy out there.  If Ahmad Bradshaw is healthy, it doesn’t seem like he will get much playing time.  It’s a huge “if” though.

Grifr Whalen, WR IND
The second year wide receiver was quick off the line, tracked the ball well in the air, and has soft hands.  Whalen played a little with the starters, but mostly with the second team, so he might just be a deep hopeful dynasty stash at this point.

Falcons vs. Titans

Jake Locker, QB TEN
Same old Jake – he looks good running the ball in small doses as long as he secures it.  Locker is fairly accurate within 15 yards of the line of scrimmage and is better throwing the ball on the run.  It’s too bad his footwork is still a mess as he may never make the jump into a weekly fantasy option.

Harry Douglas, WR ATL
While he is clearly the number four option in the passing game behind Jones, White, and Gonzo, there is a good possession receiver there.  Douglas made a great snag with a cornerback in his hip pocket and while he got the ball punched out of his hands in the end zone, Douglas was in the best position to make the catch.  If one of the big three receiving options get hurt, he will be a good fill-in player for you.

Taylor Thompson, TE TEN
The converted defensive end looked strong and athletic in his routes as he does a great job catching the ball away from his body.  I believe that 2013 might be a top 20 fantasy year for him.

Kroy Biermann, DE ATL
This high energy player was all over the field again.  Biermann was fast and powerful coming off the edge and got to the quarterback.  He also separates well from his assigned blocker to make his way down the line of scrimmage to make tackles.

Justin Hunter, WR TEN
Wheeew..there was finally a sign of life on one of my rookie darlings.  Hunter looked quick and smooth as he glided into the end zone to get into position to make the scoring reception.  Hopefully it’s the sign of things to come.

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