Preseason in Review
There are only so many ways to say we like
Brandon Jacobs.
Of course, the end of the preseason (28 teams wrapped up last night) only means the start of our coverage. After the flurry of cuts that will happen in the next two days, we'll flip the switch to regular season mode, with our waiver pickups, weekly Goal Line Stand rankings, and Season Pass projections starting up on Tuesday. Our new columns from Matt Pitzer and Football Outsiders have already begun.
Before I hand off the majority of Daily Dose duties to the capable hands of
Aaron Gleeman, let's take a final broad look back at what players went up and down during the preseason. If you've been paying attention to the Dose all month, you may already know many of these.
www.tampabaybuccaneers.ws Rising LenDale White & Chris Brown, Titans - Yes, both can rise. Brown wasn't even signed until late June, and had a lot to prove. White ran with the Tennessee starters for more than a half on Thursday night, ripping off a 21-yard run and throwing a devastating block that allowed
Vince Young to score a touchdown.
This looks like a committee early in the year, with White as the lead back and Brown taking third downs.
Chris Henry is an afterthought.
Leon Washington, Jets -
Thomas Jones' injury is a good reminder that Leon will have a big role for a backup.
Laurence Maroney, Patriots - Recovery from shoulder surgery went as planned.
Ladell Betts, Redskins -
Clinton Portis looks like a riskier pick than he did during the summer.
Kellen Winslow, Browns - Recovery from microfracture surgery went better than reasonable expectations.
Nate Burleson, Seahawks - He's still not draftable, but a strong preseason put him back on the radar. He may be Seattle's third receiver ahead of
Bobby Engram.
Demetrius Williams, Ravens - Like a poor man's
Chris Henry (CIN), Williams could emerge into a red zone force as a third receiver.
Kenny Watson, Bengals - Cincinnati hasn't signed another veteran running back yet, although
Chris Perry is threatening to avoid the PUP list. We'll find out by Saturday.
Charlie Frye, Browns - Hung on to starting job, making him draftable in leagues that start two quarterbacks.
Matt Schaub and Alex Smith, Texans and 49ers - I take preseason action with a boulder of salt, but both young quarterbacks enjoyed an excellent month.
James Jones and Jacoby Jones, Packers and Texans - Small school rookie wideouts make good. Just don't pull a hammy rushing to draft them ahead of quality veterans. We'd take James first.
Ernest Wilford, Jaguars - A year after the hype, Wilford may help clean up
Reggie Williams and
Matt Jones' mess.
Daunte Culpepper, Raiders - He'll probably have a better season than last year when owners took him as a QB1, although he's still a flier pick at best.
LaMont Jordan, Raiders - Solidified primary back role, at least for a month.
Jerry Porter and Terrell Owens, Raiders and Cowboys - Didn't get suspended or upset the coaching staff. Yet.
Craig Davis, Chargers - Will start with
Eric Parker hurt.
Mike Williams, Raiders - Going to make the team.
Warrick Dunn, Falcons - We still don't want to draft him, but he recovered much quicker than expected and looks like the Week 1.
Patrick Crayton, Cowboys - See
Terrell Owens and
Terry Glenn.
Amani Toomer, Giants Practically the only Giant receiver that didn't struggle with injuries.
Donovan McNabb, Eagles - All systems are go.
Tatum Bell, Lions - Will get at least five starts, although
two are against the Bears and Vikings. Week 1 against the Raiders looks inviting.
Adrian Peterson, Vikings and Bears - The rookie star version stayed healthy and looked explosive. The Bears role player easily held on to the backup job behind
Cedric Benson.
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$100,000 Challenge game. Volatile Brandon Jones, Titans - After yo-yoing in-and-out of the starting lineup all month, Jones played with the first team Thursday for the entire first half and caught a touchdown. Don't give up on him yet.
Brandon Jackson, Packers - His play and his pass-protection were inconsistent. But
Vernand Morency's injury problems ultimately kept Jackson where he started.
Brandon Marshall, Broncos - This Brandon started slow, but earned his way back to Rotoworld sleeper status.
Maurice Stovall, Bucs - Started strong, but couldn't separate from
David Boston and
Ike Hilliard in the end. He'll probably start in Week 1, but he didn't have a great month.
Falling Ronnie Brown, Dolphins -
Jesse Chatman?@! Really? We still have faith, so this was only a small move down round two.
Clinton Portis, Redskins - Sat out the preseason finale like he wanted. He practiced five times all month and
Ladell Betts is going to play a big role, at least in September.
Marshawn Lynch, Bills - Didn't exactly take hold of the starting job. The Bills will probably open the season in a committee more than we expected.
Donald Driver, Packers - We'd still draft him as a late WR2, but foot injuries are never a good thing.
Donte' Stallworth, Patriots - The depth at receiver in New England will make him inconsistent.
Terry Glenn, Cowboys - Questionable for Week 1.
Torry Holt, Rams - May not be 100% for a while.
Vernand Morency, Packers - Didn't exactly quiet those durability questions.
Robert Meachem, Saints - Looks like a redshirt year.
DeDe Dorsey, Colts - Hasn't emerged from the backup running back pack for the Colts.
Chris Henry, Titans - No longer draftable, unless you are in a deep keeper league.
Reuben Droughns, Giants - Part-time fullback is not what owners want to hear.
Derek Hagan, Dolphins - Fourth receiver behind Ted Ginn.
Tab Perry, Bengals - Hasn't impressed in camp. Don't expect him to play a big role.
Jeff Webb, Chiefs - Surprisingly quiet. Had a good chance to earn a starting job, and it didn't happen.
Kolby Smith, Chiefs - Couldn't get ahead of
Michael Bennett on the depth chart.
Michael Clayton, Bucs - May not make the final roster, and definitely won't be a fantasy factor.
Lorenzo Booker, Dolphins -
Jesse Chatman emergence complicates role.
Chris Simms, Bucs - Probably headed for injured reserve.
If it seems like there are a lot of marginal players here, that's because we don't take the preseason too seriously for the stars. See everyone on the other side.