USA TODAY International Edition
QB, O- line answers prove elusive
The NFL preseason is effectively over. Yes, all 32 teams will be in action Wednesday and Thursday to officially close out the exhibition lineup, but very few starters or key players will be exposed to further injury in what will amount to glorified tryouts for those clinging to roster spots.
But last weekend’s games helped crystallize takeaways we’ve gleaned throughout August. Here are five key observations likely to carry over to Week 1:
EZEKIEL ELLIOTT IS READY TO GO
Despite nursing a tweaked hamstring for much of training camp and reportedly being a touch overweight, the Dallas Cowboys’ prized rookie tailback appeared ready for prime time during his pro debut Thursday, when he rumbled for 48 yards ( on just seven carries), displayed nice vision, looked solid in pass protection and turned the tables by laying the lumber to hard- hitting Seattle Seahawks strong safety Kam Chancellor. It’s obviously a small sample, but the Cowboys will desperately need Elliott to build on that kind of effort, as he’s likely to become the focal point of their offense as long as fellow rookie Dak Prescott is filling in for injured quarterback Tony Romo. Even when Romo returns, Elliott ( and fellow backs Alfred Morris and Darren McFadden) must allow Dallas to win the time- of- possession battle in order to shield a suspension- riddled defense from additional exposure.
QB QUESTIONS LINGER
The summer spotlight has been predictably directed at quarterbacks. Yet few have provided satisfactory answers to the questions surrounding them.
uPrescott has been a revelation, looking like the steal of the draft. But how will he fare once defenses begin gearing up to stop him?
uNew England Patriots seat warmer Jimmy Garoppolo had his shakiest outing Friday, underscoring how unproven he is as he embarks on a bid to do a monthlong Tom Brady impersonation.
uThe Cleveland Browns’ Robert Griffin III, Houston Texans’ Brock Osweiler and Miami Dolphins’ Ryan Tannehill are all facing lofty expectations while adapting to new teams and/ or new coaches. Stay tuned after weeks of mixed results.
uThe Baltimore Ravens’ Joe Flacco and Indianapolis Colts’ Andrew Luck are coming back from major 2015 injuries, and Luck is once again processing a new scheme. Rust could be an issue for both.
O- LINE PLAY IS A CONCERN
The amount of hitting permitted in the offseason and training camp has been governed since the new collective bargaining agreement went into effect in 2011. But classroom environments and walk- throughs are not nearly as conducive as live practices in forging cohesive offensive line play. And several teams expected to have issues with their front five haven’t mitigated those concerns.
uThe Browns, breaking in two new starters ( plus Griffin), surrendered five sacks of RG3 on Friday and still aren’t effectively running the ball.
uJay Cutler was sacked five times in 36 preseason drop- backs while working behind an extremely inexperienced group that lacks Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long ( shoulder). The Chicago Bears starting offense has produced all of 11 points this month.
uThe Seahawks are again playing mix and match in front of Russell Wilson, who was sacked four times in the second preseason game and forced into some of his best jailbreak improv last Thursday. Seattle doesn’t have a single starting lineman from its 2013 title team.
uLuck went down three times in the Colts’ dress rehearsal Saturday, when starting guard Jack Mewhort suffered a knee injury that could cost him a month.
THE NFC EAST IS A MESS
A division that already looked like a toss- up might be spiraling into further chaos. The Romo- less Cowboys’ problems have steadily mounted throughout the offseason. The Washington Redskins’ running backs are not only unproven but also already significantly banged up. The Philadelphia Eagles are breaking in a new coaching staff — and that means major schematic departures on both sides of the ball — and poised to lose right tackle Lane Johnson to a 10- game suspension.
But no team seems to be in more disarray than the New York Giants. Their $ 200 million free agent investment in a defense that allowed the most yards in the league in 2015 has flashed early returns. But the offense, even when evaluated with the preseason asterisk, has been shockingly inept. The Giants’ 185.3 yards per game are nearly 40 yards fewer than the nextworst team’s average, and their 31 points ranks ahead of only the Bears’ 29. Giants starters played into the second half Saturday yet produced zero points, three first downs and 61 yards in eight drives. Quite a foreboding start given the heightened expectations on this team, rookie head coach Ben McAdoo and embattled general manager Jerry Reese.
CONCERNS FOR FRANCHISE PLAYERS
Nine players received the franchise tag in the offseason. Four ( the Denver Broncos’ Von Miller, Ravens’ Justin Tucker, Buffalo Bills’ Cordy Glenn and New York Jets’ Muhammad Wilkerson) eventually signed longterm extensions.
But Miller, the $ 114.5 milliondollar man, must fulfill the expectations of being the league’s highest- paid non- quarterback — on a team with major quarterback issues. Meanwhile, Glenn’s training camp was short- circuited by a high ankle sprain, and Wilkerson just appeared in his first game since his 2015 season ended with a broken leg.
Josh Norman also cashed in, becoming the league’s best- compensated cornerback ( five years, $ 75 million) courtesy of the Redskins after the Carolina Panthers rescinded his rights. If Norman’s bank account didn’t put a target on his back, he’s invited one courtesy of a motormouth that has lobbed barbs at Odell Beckham Jr., the Panthers, Commissioner Roger Goodell and others. Carolina and Beckham ( twice) will get to test Norman’s declaration that he’s the NFL’s top cornerback, an assertion that’s been hotly debated elsewhere.
Finally, four of the tagged players will suit up without the comfort of long- term security, entering what amounts to another contract season. Will the pressure get to them?
uBears wideout Alshon Jeffery battled hamstring issues ( again) in camp and had a case of the drops in Chicago’s third preseason game.
uKansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry ended months- long isolation from the team Sunday, when he finally signed his oneyear tender. How he’ll look Week 1 ( he won’t play in the final exhibition game) is anyone’s guess.
uThe Los Angeles Rams’ Trumaine Johnson must prove he’s worth a lengthy financial commitment while taking over No. 1 corner duties from departed Janoris Jenkins.
uAnd, most notably, Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins is most definitely in a “prove it” scenario ( and with those nondescript backs lining up behind him) as the Redskins opted for proof that he can replicate his 2015 breakout season rather than mint him as a franchise passer.