NFL Preseason Headliners: Ten Players With the Most Buzz
Preseason football isnโt something that should be taken all that seriously. First team guys are trying to get comfortable and not get injured. Coaches arenโt calling games that hopefully result in a win. And most plays are designed to test players, not to put them in the best position to win.
Still, though, we get a sneak preview based on preseason games and more importantly training camps to see what we really can gather from the NFLโs tease-time. Here are a few headliners that have gotten press and are the real features of the preseason.
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Kyle Orton, Quarterback, Denver Broncos
1 of 10
Maybe hasnโt had as many headlines as the other Broncos quarterback, Tim Tebow, but heโs gotten as good of press as any of the Broncos.
When Brady Quinn was brought in, there was thought to be a competition of sorts at quarterback to be the feature player in the renown Josh McDaniels passing attack. But while Quinn was struggling and Tebow was hogging the attention, Orton was impressing the staff and the players.
He may not ever be a Pro Bowl quarterback, but he can consistent enough to be a playoff quarterback for this team this year.
Terrell Owens, Wide Receiver, Cincinnati Bengals
2 of 10
Itโd be foolish to not include Mr. Headline himself, Terrell Owens, on this list. Heโs been a Pro Bowl receiver and a headache at the same time most places heโs been.
Coming to Cincinnati, heโll be paired up with fellow diva Chad Ochocinco. Oh, the team could be destined for a great reality show, but a debacle in the locker room.
But not so fast. Owens has fit in well in the locker room according to sources, and he and Ochocinco are fast becoming friends with great respect for each other. Owens still has talent, and with a solid offensive line, a 1,000 yard back, and a former Pro Bowl quarterback, Owens may actual be the difference in getting this team to the playoffs again, and beyond.
Brett Favre, Quarterback, Minnesota Vikings
3 of 10
I wonโt say heโs back, because if you knew anything about Brett Favre, you knew he wasnโt going to leave this season. Still, Ed Werner was posted outside his front yard, Rachel Nichols camped out at Vikings camp, and ESPN documented every true and false rumor out there.
But, heโs in camp now, but maybe a little different than years past. He isnโt 100 percent, and while heโs come back from injuries, heโs never been still rehabbing when he returned. Heโs back with the same team, something he hasnโt done in three years. And heโs without his two top receivers, Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin. It wonโt be an easy road to start the season.
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Jason Campbell, Quarterback, Oakland Raiders
4 of 10
One of the steals of the offseason, the Oakland Raiders adding Jason Campbell and a host of other solid players this and in recent offseasons may actually give this team some credence to their playoff hopes.
Iโm not going to crown Campbell as the savior of the franchise or even a Top- 20 starter. But heโs got a great arm, has been solid when given the chance to be comfortable in an offense, and heโs got next to no pressure on him this year. If the Chargers struggle as expected, the Raiders could seize the opportunity.
Brandon Graham, Defensive End, Philadelphia Eagles
5 of 10
Coming out of college, myself and many scouts I spoke with loved what Graham could offer a team early on. Such a technician in college at Michigan, he had great explosiveness, power, and hands.
Now with the Eagles, heโs already their best defensive lineman and maybe their best player. Heโll be their feature pass rusher this year, and maybe my favorite to win defensive rookie of the year. He hasnโt taken too many headlines, but heโll sure take away a lot of quarterbackโs confidence this season.
Matt Moore, Quarterback, Carolina Panthers
6 of 10
Now first off, Iโll say that I still really like Jimmy Clausen as a future NFL starter, and he is a great fit for Carolina. But that doesnโt mean I donโt like Matt Moore.
Moore was an undrafted free agent out of college, and sat behind Jake Delhomme for two years before finally getting his shot. He took advantage, the team played well, and he was given the keys to the team to start this season.
So far, heโs looked impressive in camp and in preseason, and heโs the starter no question in Carolina. Jimmy Clausen could be the next Phillip Rivers, but that doesnโt mean Moore canโt be a Drew Brees.
Doug Free, Offensive Tackle, Dallas Cowboys
7 of 10
Not a guy who many have heard much about, but heโs one of the most crucial players in the NFC this year. The Cowboys offense has one of the most talented units in the NFL. They have a Pro Bowler receiver in Miles Austin, a former Pro Bowler in Roy Williams, and a first round pick in Dez Bryant.
They have Jason Witten and Martelleus Bennett at tight end. They have Marion Barber and Felix Jones and Tashard Choice in the backfield. They even have a Pro Bowl quarterback in Tony Romo. The only thing missing? A playoff ready offensive line.
Doug Free, former right tackle in college and in the pros, is now slated as the teamโs left tackle, and heโs in for a rough year. Every team will be going hard after the Cowboys, and if he canโt play well against the likes of Brian Orakpo, Brandon Graham, and the host of Giants defensive ends, the Cowboys could once again fall short on expectations.
John Connor, Fullback, New York Jets
8 of 10
If youโve gotten a chance to watch โHard Knocksโ on HBO about the Jets, youโve definitely heard of John Connor. He gets more press on that show than Revis or Sanchez.
Connor, nicknamed the Terminator (even though heโs the future savior of the human race), has been plowing defenders over in camp and in preseason, and the fifth round pick could beat out the eventual Hall of Famer Tony Richardson.
Victor Cruz, Wide Receiver, New York Giants
9 of 10
For reasons such as Victor Cruz, I donโt put too much respect into preseason play translating to regular season success. However, I donโt mean that at all in a negative way towards Victor Cruz.
Cruz wasnโt hotly recruited by NFL scouts out of UMass. He wasnโt even hotly recruited by agents. But he got a chance with the Giants in training camp, and in his first pre-season game, against the Jets, he scored three touchdowns and impressed the country that watched.
ย While he won't be battling for the number one receiver spot, he could slide in as the team's fourth or fifth receiver, maybe pushing former high draft pick Sinorice Moss off the team.
Joe Webb, Quarterback, Minnesota Vikings
10 of 10
While heโs not the most notable Vikings quarterback, heโs maybe the most intriguing. And yes, he is a quarterback. Brad Childress has already gone out and said that they will keep four quarterbacks this year as of now, and Webb will be one of them.
An electrifying player at UAB, he was rarely given a chance in postseason workouts to showcase his arm. But the Vikings saw something in his arm, and gave him a chance. Heโs currently the only quarterback under contract for next season, and he may very well be the quarterback of the future of the Vikings once Favre finally decides to call it quits.
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