A-Rod and Jordy won’t be playing catch Friday night
If anyone really looks forward to exhibition football games, this is the week to pay attention. One good place to start is in Oakland.
Not because Aaron Rodgers will see plenty of action for Green Bay; he won’t, might not play at all. And the Raiders’ best player, Khalil Mack, still is holding out. Such is the approach for players and coaches in the preseason.
But Rodgers gets to hang out — if not warm up with — an old friend and his former favorite target.
The departure of receiver Jordy Nelson has left Rodgers in need of a new partner to take part in one of his pregame routines. In the end zone before a game, there would be Rodgers and Nelson playing catch and spinning footballs on their fingertips. That won’t happen Friday night now that Nelson is a Raider, though they remain good friends.
“He said he has his own pregame routine now so we can’t play catch before the game, so I’m a little disappointed by that,” Rodgers quipped. “He’s changed . ... He’s a new guy.”
The competition between Brett Hundley and offseason acquisition DeShone Kizer to back up Rodgers will be a focal point for the Packers. Plus, depth is starting to become an issue at running back because injuries have slowed Jamaal Williams, Aaron Jones and Devante Mays. Jones could play Friday as he comes back from a hamstring injury, though the Packers will be without him for the first two weeks of the season because of an NFL suspension. Ty Montgomery is the only healthy holdover from last year.
On the other side, Raiders coach Jon Gruden calls his running backs the strength of his team even if the top guys haven’t gotten to show much in the preseason. Marshawn Lynch had a
60-yard TD run called back by penalty on his only touch, and No.
2 back Doug Martin has one carry for 3 yards.
Both could get a longer look when Gruden plans to play his starters into the second quarter. MVPS IN ACTION
The third preseason game is usually when Bill Belichick uses his starters most. Look for Tom Brady, the 2017 league MVP, to be on the field at Carolina for perhaps the first half. Rob Gronkowski could see his first action of the year. The Patriots are also looking for help on the offensive line after losing tackle Isaiah Wynn, the No.
23 overall pick, in the last game.
2015 MVP Cam Newton and the Panthers’ first-team offense will see their most extensive action of the preseason, playing into the third quarter. Newton has dramatically improved his accuracy this preseason under new offensive coordinator Norv Turner, completing 71.4percent as compared to a career completion percentage of 58.5 percent.
O-LINE PROBLEMS
Minnesota’s task of improvement on offense begins with the line, where right tackle Rashod Hill and right guard Mike Remmers are expected to suit up against Seattle after sitting out the previous game with ankle injuries. Center Pat Elflein has been on the PUP list for the entire training camp, still rehabilitating from offseason ankle and shoulder surgeries. Left guard Nick Easton is out for the year with a neck injury.
“ALL DAY” GETS A SHOT
Adrian Peterson will make his preseason debut four days after signing with the Redskins. Coach Jay Gruden said Peterson’s workload vs. the Broncos may depend on how much playing time the starting offensive line gets. Peterson will split carries with incumbent Rob Kelley, who emerged as the front-runner to start after rookie Derrius Guice tore the ACL in his left knee.
WHERE’S THE RUSH
Matt Patricia was the defensive guru in New England, and now as head man in Detroit, his Lions have all of zero sacks this summer. He’s not losing sleep over that as the Lions visit Tampa Bay. “We’re really not into stats here right now,” Patricia said. “We’re into evaluation. That’s the biggest thing, and that’s the most important process for us right now. Stats aren’t going to get us anything as far as the regular season is concerned.” MEADOWLANDS MATCHUP
As the Jets try to determine if firstrounder Sam Darnold is already their top QB, he might get to throw to two veterans for the first time. Wide receivers Quincy Enunwa (thumb) and Terrelle Pryor (ankle) could also see their first preseason action. Giants running back Saquon Barkley, taken one spot ahead of Darnold, returned to practice on a limited basis. It seems unlikely that Barkley (hamstring) will play against the Jets.