| |  | |
| Hutchinson |
Seahawks rookie offensive guard Steve Hutchinson is earning rave reviews in the
preseason. Hutchinson is enjoying offensive line coach Tom Lovat's aggressive
pass-blocking scheme and has held his own as a run blocker after regularly
getting beaten by Seahawks veteran defensive tackle John Randle early in camp.
Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis has lost about 20 pounds. He looks quicker. The
question is: Will he be as strong at the point of attack?
The Raiders are somewhat frustrated by the fact no one has clearly distinguished himself in the logjam at wide receiver behind Tim Brown and Jerry Rice.
Browns quarterback Tim Couch tried to wear a brace on his left knee in practice
after new offensive coordinator Bruce Arians suggested it. Arians noted that Peyton Manning wears a brace and has managed to stay healthy. Couch, who maintains he currently has no problem with his knee, couldn't get used to the device. The Browns are now trying to find a less bulky device for Couch to try.
The Colts' addition of linebacker Sean Harris gives them depth and more options.
For example, the Colts could play Harris at strong-side linebacker and put linebacker Marcus Washington at defensive end, which he has played well before.
The Cardinals are very disappointed with defensive tackle Mao Tosi, a fifth-round pick
from last season who was being counted on to start this season. The team figured he could be an every-down player, but he has not shown much improvement. In fact, he has been demoted to third string, and that's where he could stay until he improves his technique. Currently, Barron Tanner and Russell Davis are running with the first team, and rookies Marcus Bell and Mario Fatafehi are on the second team.
| |  | |
| Barrow |
Linebacker Micheal Barrow is the most improved veteran in Giants training camp. A very cerebral player, Barrow was thinking a lot more than reacting last season.
He is looking much more comfortable this time around.
We hear Ravens quarterback Chris Redman, who was unimpressive in the team's
preseason opener vs. the Jets, could fall behind Randall Cunningham on the depth chart if he doesn't show real improvement the last two preseason games.
Don't be shocked if Ravens third-year pro Sammy Williams eventually overtakes veteran Harry Swayne at right tackle until Leon Searcy is healthy enough to return. We hear Williams could be the most improved player in camp
this year.
Word is Falcons coaches are giving tight end Dallas Neil a strong chance to unseat
Brian Kozlowski as the team's H-back/No. 3 tight end.
The Panthers continue to be impressed with rookie defensive tackle Kris Jenkins. The
second-round pick out of Maryland has shown steady improvement, deflecting passes at the line of scrimmage in each of Carolina's last two preseason games.
We hear Rams head coach Mike Martz is intrigued by the potential kick-return prowess of cornerback Dré Bly. Although Bly has displayed the same kind of trouble fielding punts that has plagued primary return man Az-Zahir Hakim, Martz really likes Bly's elusiveness in the open field. Word is Martz is also taking a long look at Aveion Cason after the undrafted rookie's 100-yard kickoff return for a TD that was nullified by a penalty in the preseason loss to the Titans.
We hear the Saints have been really turned on by the electrifying special-teams play of 29-year-old free agent Michael Lewis, a one-time beer-truck driver and Arena Football employee. In addition to excelling on the field, sources say Lewis has a rare charisma off the field that has quickly endeared him to his teammates as well as Saints fans.
| |  | |
| Huard |
The Seahawks' backup quarterback job has not been handed over to the recently signed Trent Dilfer just yet. Word out of Seattle indicates that Brock Huard is right in the thick of things despite a poor performance vs. the Cardinals last weekend and has a decent a chance to win the No. 2 role.
If the Broncos ever seriously contemplated trading backup quarterback Gus Frerotte
during the preseason, that idea has been squashed by the bad news surrounding Steve Beuerlein's surgically repaired right elbow. Tests last week revealed Beuerlein will need at least half the season to rest, meaning the Broncos are left with a decision on whether to put him on injured reserve or leave him on the active roster in the hope he'll be able to contribute once he's healthy.
After losing his starting job last season, Chiefs outside linebacker Lewis Bush showed up at training camp in the best shape of his life and is holding off former Bronco
Glenn Cadrez, who was handpicked by new defensive coordinator Greg Robinson as a free agent during the offseason. "To me, (Bush) has been the most pleasing player to see where he came from after being benched last year," Chiefs head coach Dick Vermeil said. "Right now he's probably better than he's been in five years."
The Dolphins feel as if they got a steal in rookie wide receiver Chris Chambers, who can stretch the field. The question with Chambers is going to be consistency. Everyone knew he had great ability. Don't be surprised if Chambers is starting before all is said and done this season.
It looks as though wide receiver/kick returner Drew Haddad is going to make the Colts' roster. He isn't real big. He isn't real fast. All he does is make plays, and he's shown a great knack on punt returns. He also catches the ball very well, he's natural and he runs good pass routes.
Tom Brady may end up moving up to the Patriots' No. 2 quarterback spot if he keeps
playing as well as he has been.
Quarterback Ty Detmer's salary may be a concern with the Browns. With Kelly Holcomb looking good, there's a chance the Browns may try to trade Detmer or even release him just to save on the salary cap.
Quincy Carter really struggled in his first start as the Cowboys' quarterback. It didn't look like he was anywhere close to being ready to run an NFL team.
Material from Pro Football Weekly.
Visit PFW's web site at http://www.profootballweekly.com
| |
|
