USA TODAY International Edition
Bucs not kicking selves just yet
Two weeks of the NFL’s preseason are in the books. The pressure is building, and the worry is growing in some cities.
But until the regular season begins, here are the latest overreactions we’re pushing back on.
1 INJURIES MEAN SERIOUS TROUBLE FOR PATRIOTS
The New England Patriots’ first four games were always going to be closely monitored given unproven quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo would be filling in for suspended Tom Brady.
But now that test will get even stiffer in light of published reports that the offense will be down two more starters. Right tackle Sebastian Vollmer could miss some or all of the season with a hip injury, and versatile tailback Dion Lewis could be out for months after another knee surgery. Guard Shaq Mason, who started 10 games last year as a rookie, has a broken hand.
Not only are these major setbacks, they come in areas where the Patriots struggled noticeably in 2015. Their running game was the third worst in the NFL, partly because the offensive line was in constant flux because of injuries. But is it really time to panic? Lewis is the latest in a long line of pedestrian backs who have been plugged into the lineup and produced. ( Remember Jonas Gray? Ben-Jarvus Green- Ellis? Sammy Morris?) And besides, a short passing game that seems to suit Garoppolo’s strengths should allow slot receiver Julian Edelman and tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett to effectively spell the run game.
As for the line, it remains a work in progress. But blocking wizard Dante Scarnecchia has returned to Bill Belichick’s staff after ending a two- year retirement. It will be a shock if he doesn’t have the front five in sync heading into Week 1.
2BUCS
BLEW IT WITH AGUAYO
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers invited instant scrutiny when they not only picked Florida State kicker Roberto Aguayo in the second round of the draft but traded up 15 spots ( at the cost of a fourthrounder) to do so.
To say Aguayo has disappointed would be an understatement.
He missed field goals from 32 and 49 yards Saturday after misfiring on an extra point in the opener. Aguayo was perfect on 198 PATs in college and connected on all 49 of his field goal tries inside 40 yards for the Seminoles.
Is coach Dirk Koetter concerned after lamenting during the weekend, “We have to make the damn field goal”?
“I would not say worried, but this is the NFL, man,” Koetter said. “They are paid to make kicks. He knows it, and I know it. Everybody knows it.”
Still, don’t lose sight of the fact Aguayo is working with a new holder and snapper while adjusting to the NFL’s narrower hash marks, all with a spotlight shining upon his every kick. Like any rookie, he deserves a grace period while he adapts to the pro game.
3QUARTERBACK
BATTLES JUST ABOUT DECIDED
The Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers have yet to officially name their Week 1 starting quarterbacks. The Broncos’ situation seems the cloudiest — coach Gary Kubiak even suggested rookie Paxton Lynch could emerge ahead of Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian. The Rams’ Case Keenum and the Niners’ Blaine Gabbert seem to be in solid position.
But the reality is, even though each team is likely to name a starter in the next seven to 10 days, all these jobs probably will remain in pencil for weeks or more. No. 1 pick Jared Goff will be the guy for the Rams at some point ( no quarterback drafted first overall has redshirted in his rookie season since Carson Palmer in 2003). Once he’s fully healthy, Colin Kaepernick will almost certainly get the opportunity to prove he’s a better fit than Gabbert in Chip Kelly’s offense. And will it be any surprise if the Broncos play musical chairs under center — as they did last year — given the defense will surely be the focal point of this team again?
4GIANTS ALREADY FEELING HEAT
Since the New York Giants won Super Bowl XLVI after the 2011 season, they haven’t returned to the playoffs. After last year, they divorced longtime coach Tom Coughlin and uncharacteristically spent more than $ 200 million on defense during free agency.
But now they’ve opened what’s sure to be a high- pressure season, especially for GM Jerry Reese, by dropping their first two preseason games by a combined score of 48- 10. They were outscored 21- 0 Saturday vs. the Buffalo Bills, who outgained the Giants 343- 166.
But the Giants know a thing or two about New York hype and need not worry just yet.
Quarterback Eli Manning didn’t play in the first game and stuck around for little more than a quarter vs. Buffalo. The defense, which is meshing all those new parts, looked decent in the opener, limiting the Miami Dolphins’ starting offense to 8 yards in two drives. The Bills punted twice and turned the ball over in their first three possessions.
“We’re going to give guys opportunities to compete,” coach Ben McAdoo said when asked about his starters Sunday. “But at the same point in time, we’re not going to have any knee- jerk reactions. No one’s panicking here.”
Good call, coach.
5TITANS
OFFENSE HAS TURNED CORNER
Combine elements from the Tennessee Titans’ first two games, and this would appear to be a well- rounded attack.
The running game was in top form against the San Diego Chargers, piling up 288 yards on 33 carries. Quarterback Marcus Mariota put his precise passing on display by completing nine of 10 passes for 104 yards against the Carolina Panthers.
Though the offense appears to be in a much better position, declarations of prolific production are likely premature.
Coach Mike Mularkey’s “exotic smashmouth” scheme looks poised to take advantage of Mariota, DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry, but Saturday’s game showed the ground game will not be effective every week. Mariota’s lackluster top options at wide receiver, Harry Douglas and rookie Tajae Sharpe, hint at limitations he’ll face.