NFL Preseason: 5 Players to Watch in Week 1

The 2012 NFL preseason schedule officially kicked off Sunday with the Hall of Fame game, but the true preseason begins Thursday night with six games and 12 teams starting their run at New Orleans and Super Bowl XLVII. 

Six more games dot the Friday schedule, with Saturday showing two more games. One game each on Sunday and Monday concludes the first week of preseason football. 

In the following slides, we break down the five players (or groups of players) to watch in Week 1 of the NFL preseason. 

Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck

You may have to go back to the 1998 NFL draft to find two quarterbacks as hyped as Griffin III and Luck. Of course, only Peyton Manning made it out of that duo with his football life intact.

It's hard to find a trace of Ryan Leaf in either of these two. 

Griffin III is just as electric with his arm as his legs, and the Redskins have actually provided him with a number of offensive weapons. Specifically, the receiver position has been upgraded this offseason. Griffin III and his new toys open the preseason Thursday night in Buffalo. 

Luck was dubbed one of the best quarterbacks coming out of college since Manning. While high praise, it's easy to see why so many were comfortable making that assertion. There's very little about his overall game that isn't polished or NFL ready.

Luck and the Colts begin their preseason journey Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. 

The two quarterbacks aren't likely to be flawless in their NFL opener. No one is expecting them to be, either. But let's see if either can make a few splash plays to show each fanbase exactly why these two went 1-2 in April's draft. 

Patriots and Packers Running Backs

Unlike so many other offenses, the Patriots and Packers have depth charts that are mostly set on that side of the ball. However, both clubs are still shaking out how to use their running backs early in 2012. 

The Patriots have three guys who have impressed in camp at various points so far: Stevan Ridley (pictured), Shane Vereen and Brandon Bolden. Ridley got off to a fast start and is the likely front-runner to replace BenJarvus Green-Ellis, but Vereen and (especially) Bolden have proven plenty capable of handling a role. 

The Patriots welcome New Orleans to Foxborough Thursday. 

Green Bay has a little different situation but still no clear answers. 

James Starks is the veteran of the group, and he's likely to begin the season as the No. 1 back. But former third-round pick Alex Green is on the comeback trail from an October ACL injury. Once he's 100 percent (he's still not), the Packers will find it difficult to keep him off the field. 

Brandon Saine, an undrafted free agent in 2011 out of Ohio State, remains the front-runner to be the team's No. 3 back despite being held out of Thursday's opener in San Diego. Former top USC recruit Marc Tyler should get a big workload Thursday night with the Packers banged up in the backfield. 

Peyton Manning and the Broncos New Offense

When Peyton Manning signed on the dotted line in Denver, a new era was about to begin for the Broncos franchise. 

Gadget quarterback Tim Tebow was shown the door soon after, and Denver immediately went from feel-good story to a legitimate contender. 

Thursday night's opener in Chicago represents the start of the Broncos' new offense with Manning at the helm. 

Reviews early in camp have been mostly positive, especially with the receivers. Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas both look like breakout stars, with Decker a reception magnet and Thomas being the touchdown and yards-after-catch beast he can be. Oh, the difference a quarterback can make. 

Also, don't sleep on Ronnie Hillman, an elusive back with skills in the passing game. He's going to play a big role in 2012 with Manning at the sticks. 

Brandon Weeden

There's a sense of "calm" surrounding Luck in Indianapolis and Griffin III in Washington, but the same probably can't be said with Brandon Weeden in Cleveland. 

While hope is alive, so is the hesitation that comes along with the unknown. At this point, Weeden is an unknown, and this is a fan base that has been burned too many times by the quarterback position.

When the Browns open up their preseason slate Friday in Detroit, we should get our first attempt at peeling back the layers of unknowns with Weeden.

You can't exactly make or break an NFL career in your first preseason appearance—just ask Cam Newton how his first preseason gig went in 2011—but Browns fans will certainly want to see something positive in live action.  

Old Faces, New Places

A number of big names will be making their debuts in new jerseys during Week 1 of the preseason.

Some of the notables:

Vincent Jackson, Buccaneers: The overhaul of the Bucs' offense begins Friday in Miami.

Randy Moss, 49ers: What a coincidence that Moss opens the preseason Friday against Minnesota. 

Tim Tebow, Jets: Will the calls for Mark Sanchez's job begin Friday night?

Brandon Marshall, Bears: Thursday night, the Broncos will get to see a familiar combination in different colors—Jay Cutler to Marshall.

Matt Flynn, Seahawks: The former Packers backup will start the Seahawks' preseason opener Saturday against Tennessee.