First takes on NFL preseason
Anthem protests, Cardinals’ Johnson are back
For those begging for football to return, well, the first full week of the NFL preseason is over. And while games didn’t count and starters barely played, we did get a glimpse of what 2018 might hold. Some things we learned:
❚ For all the posturing the owners did this offseason, their rushed attempt to solve the national anthem issue won’t go away. With talks between the league and the NFL Players Association not yielding an answer, players including Marshawn Lynch, Kenny Stills, Demaryius Thomas, Robert Quinn and Russell Okung showed they will continue to protest social injustice during the pregame playing of the anthem.
❚ This time last year, David Johnson was the hottest name in fantasy football, but a wrist injury ended his season after Week 1. It’s like much of the NFL forgot about the Cardinals’ versatile running back. Though he had just two carries in their preseason opener Saturday, each run went for 14 yards, and he showed the speed and burst that should make him a valuable weapon for the Arizona offense (no matter who the quarterback is) this season.
❚ Speaking of that quarterback race, Josh Rosen, arguably the most proready rookie passer to come out of the draft, didn’t put up the statistical performance (6 of 13 for 41 yards) that popped on the box score. But he showed so much potential playing with a second-string offensive line that left him scrambling and constantly evading pressure.
❚ It’s rare to see the first two overall draft picks battle in the first weekend, but that’s what we got when Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield took on the Giants and No. 2 overall running back Saquon Barkley. Cleveland coach Hue Jackson continues to say veteran Tyrod Taylor will start, but Mayfield showed plenty of pocket awareness, accuracy, vision and athleticism that might end years of Browns futility at quarterback.
❚ Barkley burst onto the scene with a
39-yard scamper on his first career carry, but New York’s offensive line might be a work in progress. He gained only 4 more yards the rest of the game, on four carries. Which means if Barkley puts up big numbers in 2018, it might be a lot of him turning nothing into something, as he did on that first rush.
❚ We hate to see season-ending inju- ries this early, so we’re wishing speedy recoveries to Washington running back Derrius Guice and Cardinals center A.Q. Shipley (practice), both of whom suffered torn anterior cruciate ligaments.
❚ The Jets have to be thrilled with what they saw from rookie quarterback Sam Darnold as they continue their quest to find a franchise quarterback. In a 17-0 victory Friday against the Falcons, Darnold showed excellent pocket presence, extended plays and looked downfield, making his case to be the Week 1 starter with a 13 of 18 night with
96 yards and one touchdown.
❚ Their time together on the field Saturday was brief, but the Vikings have to be happy with what they saw out of quarterback Kirk Cousins and receiver Stefon Diggs, both of whom received hefty new contracts this year. Cousins completed all four of his passing attempts, including three to Diggs — with a 1-yard touchdown pass on third down.
❚ Andrew Luck played his first snaps of live action against opponents in 585 days. He had been dealing with a seemingly unceasing injury to his throwing shoulder, and in the Colts’ 19-17 victory against the Seahawks on Thursday, Luck completed six of nine throws for
64 yards. Best of all, the Indianapolis offensive-line kept him mostly upright.
❚ Hard to get a sense of what the Cowboys will do at No. 1 receiver, but position coach Sanjay Lal lauded rookie Michael Gallup for beating one-on-one coverage to pluck a 30-yard TD pass and complimented Allen Hurns (one catch,
13 yards) on his blocking.
❚ The first full weekend with the new rule prohibiting players from lowering the helmet to initiate contact, on offense or defense, came with mixed results and needs more refining before the regular season. We saw a textbook application Thursday when Indianapolis safety Shamarko Thomas was ejected after diving headfirst at a Seattle receiver. (Thomas, whose roster spot was already tenuous, was released by the Colts on Sunday.) Saturday, Cardinals safety A.J. Howard was flagged for what upon every replay looked like a clean, shoulderfirst, tackle on a Chargers tight end. Howard’s head was up and his helmet did not make contact. It’s understandable that in real time, officials made a different judgment call, but it’s just a sign that this rule, no matter how well intentioned, will be a major storyline this season.