NFL Preseason Week 1: What to Watch for in Thursday's Action

The 2015 NFL preseason starts in earnest with six contexts on Thursday's docket. 

As always, it's the stories within the stories that make football exciting, especially during the preseason. 

While some may be excited to watch their favorite players from their beloved teams for the first time in months, the entirety of the organization is being built during these four (or five) preseason games. 

First-team offenses and defenses are trying to get into a groove. Coaches are still getting comfortable with their players. General managers are trying to shape the final 53-man rosters.

These things are taking place every minute of a preseason contest. 

This time of the year isn't necessarily about wins or losses, although most coaching staffs would still like to leave each game with a notch in the win column. But teams are taking shape for the regular season before our very eyes. 

At this point in the process, plenty still needs to be decided. The first preseason contest is often a slight warm-up for each organization's first-team unit. The second teams garner the bulk of the attention. Those viewed as the bottom of the roster, meanwhile, continue to work hard in an effort to earn a job. 

Each step can be fascinating to watch. 

Since most don't necessarily want to discuss who will be the 53rd player to make each roster, Bleacher Report identified the primary themes or competitions for each team playing during Thursday's schedule.

New Orleans Saints vs. Baltimore Ravens

Rogelio Solis/Associated Press

7:30 p.m. ET at M&T Bank Stadium

Saints

Since Sean Payton and Drew Brees became members of the New Orleans Saints, the team's identity has been built around an explosive offense. 

With tight end Jimmy Graham no longer on the roster, Brees' search for a new favorite target remains one of the offseason's primary stories. 

Marques Colston still remains the quarterback's security blanket, but the veteran receiver is now 32 years old and shouldn't be asked to serve as the primary target in the offense. 

Last year's first-round pick, Brandin Cooks, expects to be the team's new top target, and everyone will get a glimpse of how he'll be used Thursday. 

"That’s why I worked so hard throughout the offseason,” Cooks said, per the New Orleans Advocate's Nick Underhill. "That’s what I’m focused on, to be able to come in and help my team and ultimately be a dominant player like that."

The first preseason game isn't a great barometer for an organization's first-team offense and how it will perform. However, the rest of the Saints receiver corps must sort itself out. 

Brandon Coleman is a huge 6'6" target who seems to be establishing a role within the offense a year after the Saints signed him as an undrafted free agent. 

"I wouldn’t be surprised to see Coleman emerge as New Orleans’ No. 3 receiver by Week 1," ESPN.com's Mike Triplett wrote. "The big, 6'6", 225-pound target was off to a terrific start in the first few days of training camp before being sidelined with a minor, undisclosed injury. He’s been working his way back into the lineup in team drills this week."

Willie Snead is another surprise candidate to make the roster among a crowded wide receiver room, and he should see plenty of playing time against the Ravens. 

"I feel like I have a good chance,” Snead told NewOrleansSaints.com's John DeShazier. "I’ve been working pretty hard this training camp, I’ve been proving to the coaches that I can work hard and possibly make the roster. As long as I keep being consistent and showing I don’t make the same mistakes twice, I should be OK."

Nick Toon, Joe Morgan, Josh Morgan, Andy Tanner, R.J. Harris, Jalen Saunders, Lance Lewis and Seantavius Jones are also competing for the team's wide receiver roster spots. 

Ravens

Thursday will be the first opportunity to see Marc Trestman's offense in action against an actual opponent. 

Last season, the Ravens were one of the NFL's most effective running teams. In fact, Baltimore's ground game finished eighth overall, and veteran Justin Forsett experienced a breakout campaign with 1,266 rushing yards. 

Trestman, however, has been known as a pass-first play-caller throughout his career. 

The former Chicago Bears head coach, though, is adamant that the offense won't drastically change under his supervision. 

"It all starts with forcing each and every defense to defend the run and running the football first," Trestman told ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert. 

Obviously, coordinators utilize vanilla game plans throughout the preseason, but it should prove interesting to see Trestman's approach. As long as the Ravens don't fall behind by a big margin, Baltimore's quarterbacks should be under center often, capitalize on a strong zone-blocking offensive line and use plenty of play action to set up the passing game. 

If the Ravens come out in shotgun and start throwing the ball all over the field—even with injuries to tight end Dennis Pitta and first-round wide receiver Breshad Perriman and with Steve Smith Sr. not expected to play much—any initial concerns regarding Trestman will receive some validation. 

Quarterback Joe Flacco and the Ravens offense are quite capable of exploiting defenses through the air, but the running game is the core of the unit as it's currently comprised.

The backs behind Forsett on the depth chart—Lorenzo Taliaferro, Buck Allen, Fitzgerald Toussaint and Terrence Magee—should expect plenty of carries throughout the preseason.

Green Bay Packers vs. New England Patriots

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

7:30 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium

Packers

Wide receiver is the deepest position on the Packers roster. Yet the team is excited about Ty Montgomery's potential. 

General manager Ted Thompson used a third-round pick to select the Stanford product despite an underwhelming senior campaign. The former All-American returner can provide a completely different dynamic to the Packers offense and special teams this fall. 

"(Montgomery) has definitely got some potential for us,” Aaron Rodgers said, per the Green Bay Press-Gazette's Pete Dougherty. "We’ll see what happens. He’s an injury away from being an important contributor probably. Without an injury, he’s a guy we’ve got to find some spots to get him the ball in space."

Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams are entrenched as the team's top three targets. Montgomery has the potential to develop into a legitimate fourth option that would allow head coach Mike McCarthy to use more four-receiver sets and add a few gadget plays to the game plan. 

With Rodgers behind center, Eddie Lacy at running back, multiple talented wide receivers and one of the game's best offensive lines, the Packers offense will be one of the NFL's best this fall. 

Montgomery would simply add to the team's firepower, and his teammates are eager to see what he can do once he's finally on the field Thursday against the New England Patriots. He's already garnered a little bit of extra attention from the reigning NFL MVP. 

"Ty’s a great kid with a bright future for us, a great disposition and attitude about the game," Rodgers said, per Packers.com's Mike Spofford. "He’s hungry to learn and get better, it’s good moments like that where he can hear it from me how we’re expecting that route to be run, just like when he hears it from Jordy or Randall. That’s where he can lock that away and really make some gains."

There may be more concerns on the defensive side of the ball for the Packers, but Montgomery's potential can make the team's greatest strength even stronger if he lives up to the expectations he already set during training camp. 

Patriots

It's nearly halfway through August and deflated footballs still dominate every conversation regarding the New England Patriots. 

Whether quarterback Tom Brady is actually guilty, thus validating the league's four-game suspension, the Patriots still need to prepare for the preseason and upcoming regular season. 

To do so, second-year signal-caller Jimmy Garoppolo must be ready to take over the offensive reins. 

Up until this point in training camp, Brady still received first-team reps, but he missed the last two days of practice to attend a settlement hearing on his current case against the NFL. As such, the four-time Super Bowl champion likely won't participate during Thursday's contest. 

"Per talks [with] multiple sources who know [Patriots head coach Bill] Belichick, Brady highly expected NOT [to] play [vs.] GB, based on BB's long tradition of being at [practice] to play," NFL Network's Stacey Dales tweeted. 

Garoppolo, though, hasn't represented himself well during practice when given the opportunity to lead the team. 

"I think there is a chance he does start and play most of the game," Patriots.com's Andy Hart said during an interview on Arbella Early Edition (via CSNNE.com). "He has to. One of the reasons he has to is he hasn't looked very good this summer. You are preparing right now for the unknown of four games with him as your starter. Right now in training camp practices, he hasn't looked like a capable NFL quarterback."

To build some credibility and trust among his teammates, Garoppolo will need to play a large portion of Thursday's game and not fall flat on his face. 

After all, the Patriots' only other option at quarterback is Ryan Lindley, who the team signed just three days ago after releasing veteran Matt Flynn.

New York Jets vs. Detroit Lions

Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

7:30 p.m. ET at Ford Field

Jets

Well, this section wasn't going to discuss quarterbacks. Geno Smith then got sucker-punched by a teammate Tuesday morning, and the Jets starting quarterback will now miss six to 10 weeks due to a broken jaw. 

The floor is all yours, Ryan Fitzpatrick. 

Fitzpatrick won't only be steering the Jets offense this season, but he also holds his future in his hands. Smith won't simply be given the job back upon his return. 

"If the other guy is playing well and the boat is going right and there are no waves and everything is going and we're 4, 5, 6, 7-0, yeah, you're not coming back to start," Jets head coach Todd Bowles said, per ESPN.com's Rich Cimini. 

The veteran quarterback's latest journey begins Thursday against the Detroit Lions. Fitzpatrick, who signed with the team as a free agent this offseason, should be expected to play well because of his familiarity with offensive coordinator Chan Gailey's system. 

Thursday's contest may be the first opportunity to see how the offense will operate with Fitzpatrick as the starter, but Smith's injury extends beyond the top of the depth chart. Rookie Bryce Petty is now the No. 2 quarterback behind the 32-year-old veteran. 

The Jets planned to redshirt Petty this season and simply allow him to learn. The fourth-round pick now has an opportunity to prove himself during the preseason as the team's No. 2 quarterback, but he still has a lot of room for growth. 

"Before you go down this road, Jets source says Bryce Petty is not ready—'not even close'—to assume starting role," NFL Network's Jeff Darlington tweeted. "Not the answer here."

With a talented defense and multiple weapons around the quarterback position, New York hopes it taps into a little "Fitzmagic" starting with the team's first preseason context. 

Lions

A new-look Detroit Lions defensive front will take the field Thursday against the New York Jets. 

Over the previous four years, the Lions were defined by the play and attitude of defensive linemen Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley. When those two were healthy, they formed arguably the NFL's best defensive tackle duo. 

Both are now gone after signing free-agent contracts with other teams during the offseason. What they left behind was a completely revamped defensive line—and competition abounds. 

The defensive facelift began with the acquisition of five-time All-Pro defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, but the 31-year-old defender won't play Thursday because of a lingering hamstring strain, according to the Detroit Free Press' Dave Birkett. 

Ngata's absence will kick into overdrive the competition for the other starting defensive tackle spot.

Tyrunn Walker and Caraun Reid will continue to battle for an opportunity to start next to Ngata. Walker, in particular, was signed as a free agent to replace Fairley, and he showed well in camp as of late. 

"The light is flickering," defensive end Darryl Tapp told ESPN.com's Michael Rothstein. "It's definitely flickering. It's not on yet. Not fully on yet. He can be truly special. They already saw that. That's why they brought him in.

"But this guy, he can be a dominant force, especially in our scheme."

Both will receive their fair share of reps as the competition reaches another level against a live opponent. 

Miami Dolphins vs. Chicago Bears

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

8 p.m. ET at Soldier Field

Dolphins

While everyone is eager to see Ndamukong Suh in a Miami Dolphins uniform for the first time, it's those trying to block him every day who should warrant the most attention. 

The Dolphins aren't set at guard, and it's been a growing concern throughout training camp. 

Dallas Thomas, Billy Turner and Jamil Douglas are competing for two starting spots. When the team released its first depth chart, Thomas and Turner were listed as the first-team guards, but that could possibly change based on their play during preseason or due to injuries. 

For example, left tackle Branden Albert continues to rehab his knee, which forces the offensive line to shift positions. Thomas received some practice reps on the blind side as a result. 

"I played tackle last year, so I’m going to keep everything, make sure I still got my technique down and all that," Thomas said, per MiamiDolphins.com's Alain Poupart. “I’m a guard, but the season is long. So you never know what can happen. You always want to make sure you’re prepared that if something does happen, I can get out there and hold it down."

While Thomas' versatility benefits the team, it doesn't necessarily help his progress in becoming a starting guard. 

Meanwhile, Turner's confidence can't be high after being beat repeatedly by Suh during drills. Right now, Turner needs to display consistency, according to head coach Joe Philbin (via the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson). He has the opportunity to do so during the preseason games when he's not facing Suh. 

Douglas, a fourth-round pick, remains in the picture as well. 

"We’re here to get the job done," Douglas said, per the Miami Dolphins Twitter feed.

A preseason guard competition isn't glamorous, but it's vitally important for a team that's allowed far too much pressure on its young quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, over the past three seasons. 

Bears

There are plenty of questions in Chicago regarding a new coaching staff, quarterback Jay Cutler and a revamped defense, but the competition to start alongside veteran Antrel Rolle at safety should be one of the most interesting battles during preseason. 

"Everyone is in this hunt," defensive backs coach Ed Donatell said, per ESPN.com's Jeff Dickerson. "There is going to be great competition down to the very end."

The primary culprits vying for the spot are last year's starter, Ryan Mundy, and a second-year defensive back, Brock Vereen. 

"This is a great race and a great competition," Donatell added, per ESPN.com. "When we begin these preseason games we want all the guys to tackle, play with good leverage and compete. We want the guys to play together."

Mundy actually led the Bears with 103 total tackles a year ago, but Vereen received the bulk of first-team reps at free safety during training camp. 

The importance of high-level play from both of these safeties, as well as rookie Adrian Amos, isn't simply to fill one position. The flexibility of the safety position could be very important to the overall success of the team's defense this fall. 

"As weak as Bears [cornerback] depth is [and] major [insider linebacker] problems, I see a lot of [three] safety/big nickel if Amos comes along well…best of horrible situation," ESPN.com's Matt Williamson tweeted.

Bears fans should not only be looking for the safety who emerges as the starter during preseason, but also for those defensive backs who can fill multiple roles in defensive sub-packages. There is clearly talent at the position, while it's lacking at others.

Washington Redskins vs. Cleveland Browns

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

8 p.m. ET at FirstEnergy Stadium

Redskins

Most starting quarterbacks only receive a series or two during a team's first preseason game. Redskins head coach Jay Gruden already guaranteed his starting quarterback, Robert Griffin III, will play at least an entire quarter Thursday against the Cleveland Browns. 

The game itself will revolve around two highly discussed quarterbacks in Griffin and the Browns' Johnny Manziel, but for entirely different reasons. 

Manziel is still trying to build a professional reputation, while Griffin is trying to repair his as well as his relationship with the team's head coach. 

Last year, the situation between Washington's quarterback and its head coach was tenuous at best. Both parties need to get on the same page this season for the team to be successful and to remain in Washington beyond this year. 

According to Griffin, the growing divide seen last season between the two is now closing. 

"Second year in it, I feel like you can go out there and you kind of know what to do, and I think that helps. You can play free and not be worrying about a thousand different things at one time going on in your head," Griffin said, per the Washington Post's Liz Clarke. 

"I just feel more comfortable in the office, comfortable with where I’m at and comfortable with the coaches. That’s all you can ask for."

It's now time to take his improved comfort level within the team's walls onto the field and have it manifest in his overall play.

He'll do so Thursday against one of the league's better secondaries. The Browns feature four former Pro Bowlers among their starting defensive backs. 

A relaxed and comfortable RGIII should become apparent very quickly if the Redskins offense clicks from the onset of the contest through his quarter of play.

Browns

All eyes will be on the Browns quarterback situation Thursday night.

Even though head coach Mike Pettine has done everything to defuse the situation and Josh McCown solidly remains the team's starting quarterback, Manziel's improvement during training camp can't be denied. 

There is a difference between improvement and being a viable starting option, though. A recent strong effort during the team's scrimmage at Ohio Stadium in Columbus certainly helped Manziel's case. 

"He's really proved to a lot of people that this is important to him and he's ready to be an NFL starting quarterback,'' All-Pro left tackle Joe Thomas said afterward, per Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot. "Playing well in the scrimmage tonight and looking like an NFL quarterback is another good step in the direction that he wants to go. He's just earning that trust of his teammates that he's going to need to do if he wants to be that starter. He impressed a lot of people out here tonight."

If Manziel strings multiple strong efforts together during the preseason, the former Heisman Trophy winner may finally provide a lifeline to a franchise in dire need of a winning season. 

The reason quarterback remains a primary talking point in Cleveland is twofold. 

First, the organization has been searching for a legitimate franchise quarterback since its return in 1999. Any glimmer of hope that Manziel can develop into that player as opposed to the 36-year-old McCown only stokes the fire. 

Second, the team believes it's ready to win now. This is why general manager Ray Farmer signed the veteran McCown in the first place. But the Browns quarterback situation is still considered one of the worst in the NFL. The only way to dramatically improve it at this point is Manziel living up to previously set expectations. 

While the Texas A&M product dealt with a sore elbow this week, he's expected to receive plenty of playing time Thursday. 

Until Manziel proves himself one way or the other, he'll continue to dominate the conversation in Cleveland and nationally. 

Dallas Cowboys vs. San Diego Chargers

Mike Roemer/Associated Press

10 p.m. ET at Qualcomm Stadium

Cowboys

DeMarco Murray led the NFL in rushing yardage last season, but the Dallas Cowboys organization decided not to re-sign him during free agency and, instead, allowed him to reach an agreement with the rival Philadelphia Eagles. 

The Cowboys still feature the best offensive line in football, thus their running game should remain very strong. But one lingering question remains: Who will handle the lion's share of carries? 

Joseph Randle is the leading candidate to do so despite dealing with a strained oblique muscle earlier this week. 

“Joe is a tough guy,” Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said, per ESPN.com's Todd Archer. “He loves football. He works very hard. He is a very good practice player. He wants to practice. He wants to be out here every day." 

On the flip side of the same conversation, veteran Darren McFadden dealt with injuries throughout his career, and the Cowboys organization has become increasingly frustrated with his absences during training camp due to injury, according to ESPN.com's Ed Werder. 

Even undrafted free agent Gus Johnson has an opportunity to potentially contribute. 

"Gus did a good job yesterday. We had a short yardage and goal line," Romo said recently on KTCK-AM 1310, (via the Dallas Morning News). "I just think he showed a little bit when we were live (Monday) in some of the shortage. He's got a chance."

None of these backs is expected to carry the ball 392 times like Murray did a year ago, but offensive coordinator Scott Linehan can start building a proper rotation during the preseason. 

Randle spoke about Murray leaving meat on the bone last season, but it's now time for him or another back on the roster to prove he can be a comparable option out of the backfield. 

Chargers

Quarterback Philip Rivers is the lone constant for the San Diego Chargers offense. Otherwise, plenty of change will be seen on that side of the ball at the onset of the team's Thursday contest against the Dallas Cowboys. 

The biggest change is the addition of first-round running back Melvin Gordon after Ryan Mathews signed with the Philadelphia Eagles during free agency. Gordon is expected to be a big contributor on first and second down, but his pass protection needs closer inspection. 

"He's still having to adjust to protections and to the route running, but the good thing is he catches it well, catches it naturally," Rivers told CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora. "And protections, shoot, it's like not that I've had to sell it to him, but I said, hey, you pick up the right guy on third down and pick up the protection, and there's two reasons you've got to love that. One, is it helps us win. And another is you get another carry."

Those blocking for Gordon will have a very different look as well. Left guard to right tackle will all be manned by different players this fall based on current projections. 

Orlando Franklin will start at left guard after signing with the team during free agency. Chris Watt will take over at center for Nick Hardwick, who retired after 11 seasons with the franchise. Joseph Barksdale is expected to take over at right tackle, while D.J. Fluker slides inside to right guard. Although, Fluker might not stay at guard after starting the past two seasons at right tackle. 

"We're going to change guys around all the time," Chargers head coach Mike McCoy said, per ESPN.com's Eric D. Williams. "Right now, for the past couple days he's played in there, and we're trying to find the best five combinations, so we'll give it a couple days."

At wide receiver and tight end, the biggest difference will be preparing Ladarius Green for the regular season since Antonio Gates is suspended for the first four games because of PED usage. 

"He’s going to have an opportunity early on to do a few more things," McCoy said, per Williams. "We think very highly of him. We thought that the first year we got here, not just last year or the year before. Without Antonio for a couple weeks, he’s going to have an opportunity to get more playing time. … The system is staying the same, and we’re looking forward to seeing him play more."

Rivers also has two new targets in Stevie Johnson and Jacoby Jones to feel out during his limited time on the field. 

With all of these changes, the offensive unit will use the preseason to try get on the same page.