Preseason Week Two: Dynasty Reaction

Mike Havens

Historically, week two has been the week that we’ve been able to see all teams play all or the majority of their starters for a few series, a quarter, or even an entire half of football. For the 2019 preseason, this week is a little bit of a disappointment. We have to sift through the remnants of a week in which we didn’t get to see key players take a snap, like Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell, Aaron Rodgers, etc.

All we can do is break down some of the key players from this past week and do our best to evaluate their play. Below is a list of people who stood out, either good or bad, and a small explanation of their play. Gifs will be provided when necessary.

Andy Isabella, WR ARI

If you’re only looking at the stat sheet, you see that he lead the team with his one catch for 59 yards and a touchdown. What you won’t see is that this play happened in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter vs defensive backs who probably won’t even make the team.

The catch itself was impressive, but the way he went about it led me to wonder if this is part of the reason why we haven’t seen him early in the game yet. He locked his eyes on the ball and didn’t bother to make a play on it, rather choosing to take the gamble that the DB wouldn’t turn around locate it.

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Impressive catch, but if he tries to do the same thing vs first-stringers and doesn’t fight for the ball at its highest point, that’s going to be an interception for the defense. He’s lucky the DB turned too late and was unable to make a play.

Ryan Finley, QB CIN

I don’t often mention backup quarterbacks, but Finley is starting to get my attention. His game against the Redskins was nothing short of phenomenal. So far this preseason, he has 33 completions out of 44 attempts, 259 yards, three touchdowns and one interception for a QB rating of 102.4. He was a fourth-round pick this year, and is easily the best-looking rookie QB from this draft class this preseason.

Dwayne Haskins, QB WAS to Robert Davis, WR WAS

It’s just something you have to see. Haskins had poise in the pocket and launched a rocket to a great spot while defenders had their hands on him. Davis, a sixth-round pick in 2017, made a great adjustment on the ball to reel in his second touchdown of the preseason. What a play by both players, and it’s important to note that Davis has been playing with the first string guys as well.

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Justice Hill, RB BAL

It should be noted that I was never a Justice Hill fan. I mentioned in a previous article that I thought he was noteworthy because he landed in Baltimore, but didn’t see enough good stuff to be able to recommend him as someone you want to own. However, the one play below is nothing short of fantastic.

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It’s supposed to be power up the middle. He does a stutter step to let the blocking develop, and when he sees nothing there, he bounces outside. As he’s running, he avoids a tackle, and then sees some daylight going inside. He’s somehow able to control his body to stop and lean backwards and sideways into the endzone. Wow.

And then he does another play I love… ok, I have to buy this guy. Avoids a tackler, runs fast to the edge, makes defenders second-guess their move, all while protecting the football and being conscious about the play. The kid has talent. My Mark Ingram stock went down after this game.

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James Washington, WR PIT

Through two games in the preseason, he has eight catches for 162 yards and a touchdown on ten total targets. He got separation on one play and beat his man on a contested catch for another. Fewer WRs have looked this good so far.

Jakobi Meyers, WR NE

If I don’t mention him, then I’m going to hear about it from everybody. Six catches for 82 yards this week, six catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns last week. The curious thing is that he played all four quarters in this last preseason game. His release off the line of scrimmage is awe-inspiring. The kid can play.

Quick Hits

Deon Cain, WR IND looked good. He played late in the game but he made his catches looked effortless.

D’Ernest Johnson, RB CLE was the primary back all game. He doesn’t have a ton of flash but he was reliable and did his job. He’s a possible Duke Johnson replacement.

Karan Higdon, RB HOU played with the first team on the first drive of the game.

Diontae Johnson, WR PIT had some great athletic catches. The Steelers have a plethora of good-looking WRs. Ben Roethlisberger might have a career year.

Darwin Thompson, RB KC was the best looking running back on the field for the Chiefs two weeks in a row.

Darrell Henderson, RB LAR had a great day through the air, not on the ground. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — He’s not an every-down back. The Rams have to be smart with him.

Preston Williams, WR MIA was one big toe away from doubling in value. He can play, and he’s on a team desperate for decent pass-catchers.

Emmanuel Sanders, WR DEN looks like a younger version of his old self. How does someone that old come back from that bad of an injury and look that good?

mike havens