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NFL Preseason 2010: Tim Tebow and Others To Watch In Games This Weekend

Daniel WolfAug 12, 2010

The Hall of Fame game has come and gone along with Thursday night's three preseason games, but there are still plenty of games to watch this weekend on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and one more on Monday.

The following list is one player to watch in every game this weekend who is either on the roster bubble, on the verge of breaking out, is a rookie on the rise, or for whatever other reasons may be out there.

Some may agree about the player I chose and many will not, but these players intrigue me the most in the remaining preseason games of this week.

(I apologize in advance for all the rookies, but I like seeing the new talent play with their new team for the first time.)

Jacksonville Jaguars at Philadelphia Eagles on Friday at 7:30 P.M. EDT

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PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 27:  Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 27, 2009 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 27, 2009 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

This was a rather easy pick because I, like many others across the NFL, want to see how the new Eagles starting quarterback Kevin Kolb fairs behind center.

All the pressure and spotlights are on him now and it will be interesting to see if Kolb can step up and be the youthful starter they hope he is.

Buffalo Bills at Washington Redskins on Friday at 7:30 P.M. EDT

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ASHBURN, VA - AUGUST 06:  Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins takes part in drills during Redskins training camp on August 6, 2010 in Ashburn, Virginia.  (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
ASHBURN, VA - AUGUST 06: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins takes part in drills during Redskins training camp on August 6, 2010 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

For just as easy as it was to pick Kolb in the last slide, it was equally as easy to pick new Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb, who starts anew and fresh with a new team going into his 12th NFL season.

Even though McNabb turns 34 later this November, quarterbacks can age like a fine wine and get better over time.

McNabb is coming off of one of his best statistical seasons of his career and he looks to help build the Redskins offense and passing game that should grow with young and talented receivers like Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly.

Kansas City Chiefs at Atlanta Falcons on Friday at 8 P.M. EDT

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ATLANTA - DECEMBER 31:  Safety Eric Berry #14 of the Tennessee Volunteers takes a breather during the Chick-Fil-A Bowl against the Virginia Tech Hokies at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia.  The Hokies beat the Volunteers 37-14.  (
ATLANTA - DECEMBER 31: Safety Eric Berry #14 of the Tennessee Volunteers takes a breather during the Chick-Fil-A Bowl against the Virginia Tech Hokies at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Hokies beat the Volunteers 37-14. (

Who doesn't want to see the safety who has been touted as the second-coming of Ed Reed?

Hopefully, Berry will live up to that label.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Miami Dolphins on Saturday at 7 P.M. EDT

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PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 27:  Brandon Marshall #15 of the Denver Broncos runs the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 27, 2009 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Broncos 30-27.  (Photo by Jim McIs
PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 27: Brandon Marshall #15 of the Denver Broncos runs the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 27, 2009 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Broncos 30-27. (Photo by Jim McIs

Brandon Marshall traded in Broncos blue for a lighter Dolphins blue this offseason while keeping the orange the same.

The NFL record-holder for most receptions in a single game can be one of the most dominating offensive players in the NFL and he has brought his talents to South Beach, but Marshall will be followed by more fans than that other guy who went to Miami and dribbles a basketball.

Detroit Lions at Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday at 7:30 P.M. EDT

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ALLEN PARK, MI - AUGUST 05:  Ndamukong Suh #90 of the Detroit Lions looks on during training camp at the Detroit Lions Headquarters and Training Facility on August 5, 2010 in Allen Park, Michigan.  (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ALLEN PARK, MI - AUGUST 05: Ndamukong Suh #90 of the Detroit Lions looks on during training camp at the Detroit Lions Headquarters and Training Facility on August 5, 2010 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

This is a toss up because for as much as I want to see how Ben Roethlisberger plays on the field after his debacle of an offseason, I think I am more drawn to the rookie big man on the Lions' defensive line.

Ndamukong Suh is the most talked about defensive lineman since the arrival of Warren Sapp into the NFL back in 1995.

After watching him dominate Texas in college last year, who doesn't want to see him slam a starting quarterback like Roethlisberger to the ground?

By the way, Suh will get his chance to sack these quarterbacks this year: Jay Cutler (twice), Aaron Rodgers (twice), Eli Manning, Donovan McNabb, Tony Romo, and Tom Brady.

Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers on Saturday at 8 P.M. EDT

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CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 10:  Joshua Cribbs #16 of the Cleveland Browns runs with the ball during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 10, 2009 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland won the game 13-6.  (Photo by Gregory Sha
CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 10: Joshua Cribbs #16 of the Cleveland Browns runs with the ball during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 10, 2009 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland won the game 13-6. (Photo by Gregory Sha

All my Browns fan-ship aside, who doesn't want to see Josh Cribbs play everywhere on the field?

Many across the NFL will say that Cribbs is the only weapon the Browns have on offense and that he will be stopped since they know he will get the ball.

Tell that to the Steelers' third ranked defense against the run, who pretty much lost single-handedly against Cribbs on a very cold and freezing night in Cleveland last November.

This guy is one of the only players in the NFL that cannot be stopped even though opposing team's focus on stopping him and still they cannot.

Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Rams on Saturday at 8 P.M. EDT

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EARTH CITY, MO - JULY 31: Steven Jackson #39 of the St. Louis Rams participates in an offensive drill during training camp at the Russell Athletic Training Facility on July 31, 2010 in Earth City, Missouri.  (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
EARTH CITY, MO - JULY 31: Steven Jackson #39 of the St. Louis Rams participates in an offensive drill during training camp at the Russell Athletic Training Facility on July 31, 2010 in Earth City, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

I want to see two of the top running backs in the NFL at the beginning of this contest even though they will only play a couple of drives each.

Both the Vikings' Adrian Peterson and the Rams' Steven Jackson are in the top-tier of elite runners in the NFL and both are the focal point of their teams' respective offenses going into this season.

(Vikings fans can thank Mr. Retirement for the new focus defenses will have on Peterson.)

Houston Texans at Arizona Cardinals on Saturday at 8 P.M. EDT

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FLAGSTAFF, AZ - AUGUST 02:  Runningback Beanie Wells #26 of the Arizona Cardinals practices in the team training camp at Northern Arizona University Walkup Skydome on August 2, 2010 in Flagstaff, Arizona.  (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
FLAGSTAFF, AZ - AUGUST 02: Runningback Beanie Wells #26 of the Arizona Cardinals practices in the team training camp at Northern Arizona University Walkup Skydome on August 2, 2010 in Flagstaff, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Many want to see whether Cardinal quarterbacks Matt Leinart or Derek Anderson will become the starter when the regular season begins, but I can tell Cards fans this—you do not want Anderson to start and you should hope that John Skelton progresses fast.

Anyway, the real deal here is Cardinals running back Chris "Beanie" Wells in my opinion, but with a new quarterback in place, look for Wells to get a ton of carries to ease the pressure off of the new starters' shoulders.

Chicago Bears at San Diego Chargers on Saturday at 9 P.M. EDT

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PISCATAWAY, NJ - SEPTEMBER 01:  Ryan Mathews #21 of the Fresno State Bulldogs smiles after defeating the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Rutgers Stadium on September 1, 2008 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Fresno State defeated Rutgers 24-7.  (Photo by Jim McIsaac/
PISCATAWAY, NJ - SEPTEMBER 01: Ryan Mathews #21 of the Fresno State Bulldogs smiles after defeating the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Rutgers Stadium on September 1, 2008 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Fresno State defeated Rutgers 24-7. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/

One name comes to mind when you look at this matchup and that is Chargers rookie running back Ryan Mathews, who the Chargers traded up really high for in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

The pressure is on him to step in for former NFL-MVP LaDainian Tomlinson, who is now with the Jets.

Can the rookie step up with those kind of high expectations that the Chargers fans want out of him as Tomlinson's replacement?

Tennessee Titans at Seattle Seahawks on Saturday at 10 P.M. EDT

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AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 5:  Safety Earl Thomas #12 of the Texas Longhorns warms-up prior to their game against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks on September 5, 2009 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. The Longhorns defeated the Warhawk
AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 5: Safety Earl Thomas #12 of the Texas Longhorns warms-up prior to their game against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks on September 5, 2009 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. The Longhorns defeated the Warhawk

Top safety picked in this past draft, Eric Berry, may be the top talent at the position, but Seattle's rookie safety Earl Thomas could be the best overall.

Thomas can play both safety and cornerback in the defensive backfield and he too is a ball hawk, who can tackle well and make ball just like Berry.

The biggest difference is the Thomas has half the pressure on his shoulders to perform than Berry does and that less stress to perform at a high level will hopefully be helpful in Thomas's rookie season.

San Francisco 49ers at Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at 1 P.M. EDT

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TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 7:  Taylor Mays #2 of the USC Trojans lines up against the Arizona State Sun Devils on November 7, 2009 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.  USC won 14-9.  (Photo by Jeff Golden/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 7: Taylor Mays #2 of the USC Trojans lines up against the Arizona State Sun Devils on November 7, 2009 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. USC won 14-9. (Photo by Jeff Golden/Getty Images)

Okay, there is Peyton Manning and he will play at the highest level of any other player in the NFL this season and I understand that and enjoy watching him play too because as a Browns fan, I envy that type of quarterback play (yes I just dogged myself on that one).

Anyway, I want to see another rookie safety who is on the Niners and this is Taylor Mays.

The guy is a physical freak of nature and if he can transition into the NFL, he will be one of the most dangerous defensive backs in the league especially if he can get a shot on smaller receivers.

Mays will give many receivers a headache when they wake up the morning after game days this season.

Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday at 7 P.M. EDT

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ENGLEWOOD, CO - AUGUST 05:  Rookie quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Bronocs tosses the ball as he takes part in practice during training camp at Dove Valley on August 5, 2010 in Englewood, Colorado.  (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
ENGLEWOOD, CO - AUGUST 05: Rookie quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Bronocs tosses the ball as he takes part in practice during training camp at Dove Valley on August 5, 2010 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

So I saw both Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens line up together on the same offense at the same time in last weekend's Hall of Fame game, so I have to go with Tim Tebow in this game.

The "Friar Tuck" haircut is now gone and Tebow steps onto the field to start his career, which Broncos fans hope is a good one.

The guy is a competitor and he will play hard, but I want to see how the new throwing mechanics look in a real game situation and if he reverts back to his old throwing style when under pressure.

New York Giants Vs. New York Jets on Monday at 8 P.M. EDT

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - MAY 25:  The New Meadowlands Stadium is seen on May 25, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The NFL has annouced that the 2014 Super Bowl will be played in the Meadowlands.  (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - MAY 25: The New Meadowlands Stadium is seen on May 25, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The NFL has annouced that the 2014 Super Bowl will be played in the Meadowlands. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

I love new stadiums.

The new Meadowlands will be on display with the Giants play against their fellow New York team the Jets.

New York will be a see of green and blue on Monday since fans will proudly display which New York team they support.

The new stadium should be a site to behold on Monday Night Football with a grand opening match up that couldn't have been a better pick of two teams to open this stadium.

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