15 thoughts on the NFL preseason...
1. The auto industry isn't the only thing making a comeback in Detroit. If Matt Stafford can make it through the season in one piece and their secondary can hold up, the Lions have a real shot to compete for a wildcard. They've outscored the opposition 98 to 41 this preseason.
2. I still think they're the class of the NFC East, but I have more faith right now in the economy than the Eagles offensive line and linebackers.
3. Anybody seen Tiki Barber?
4. The Colts front office clearly took a look at the film of their two games with the Titans last season before signing Kerry Collins. His combined numbers against the Indy defense...56 of 78 passing for 544-yards with 5-touchdowns and 0-interceptions.
5. While trying not to break my cardinal rule of overreacting to preseason performances, it's hard to ignore what Steelers wide-receiver Antonio Brown is doing. His 4-reception, 137-yard, 2-TD effort against the Falcons was extremely impressive. Brown's potential emergence to go along with Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, Heath Miller, Emmanuel Sanders, and Jerricho Cotchery, could make the Steelers passing game one of the league's best.
6. In a division that includes receivers like DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Miles Austin and Dez Bryant, the Giants secondary woes are even more pronounced. After cornerback Terrell Thomas was lost for the season, safety Antrel Rolle told me this week on Mad Dog Radio, "Honestly, I don't know what to do. I still don't know how to handle it at this point, but I'm going have to try to find a way. I have to. We have to as a defense."
7. I understand the theory, but in practice reviewing every scoring play is going to get old in a hurry. Officials need to make the distinction between what is debatable, and what's not. They've already taken a second look at too many scoring plays that were clearly touchdowns in real speed.
8. Welcome to the NFL Jim Harbaugh. Now go find yourself a quarterback. If you didn't already know, the preseason has once again confirmed that Alex Smith can't play.
9. Chiefs head coach Todd Haley needs to have his head examined if he really thinks the Ravens were running up the score on his team last week. Baltimore did nothing wrong. Haley should have directed his anger at his own players, who couldn't make a stop. This wasn't exactly Joe Flacco against Kansas City's 3rd team defense.
10. If Roger Goodell won't be suspending Buccaneers cornerback Aquib Talib or Titans receiver Kenny Britt for their off-season "issues", then it's clear he won't be punishing anyone for their lockout transgressions. Could it be that Goodell is going soft? Next thing you know the commissioner will actually let the players tackle each other without a fine.
11. By no means has he been great, but the Panthers shouldn't hesitate to start Cam Newton once the regular season begins. Carolina is going to be a last place team. Might as well let Newton learn on the fly.
12. Money comes first, but I don't think Larry Fitzgerald would've jumped at signing long term with the Cardinals if he didn't believe in QB Kevin Kolb.
13. Did it shock anyone that the Raiders grabbed Terrelle Pryor in the supplemental draft? The organization that loves the 40-time was likely blown away by his 4.36. My personal opinion on Pryor, he's a project at QB. Nothing more.
14. 42-pass attempts in 2-quarters against the Steelers for Matt Ryan...Who's calling plays for the Falcons now, Mike Martz?
15. With the teams set to square off Monday night, and again in week sixteen, I like the fact that there's been some trash talk between the Jets and Giants. The bottom line on these two organizations, the Giants have a more significant history...the Jets are more relevant right now.
