NFL Preseason: Top 10 Things We Learned This Weekend
With Week Two of the NFL preseason wrapping up tonight and a full slate of weekend action behind us, it's time to look back and see what we learned. Sure, it's preseason and defenses are vanilla and you don't get too much of an idea of what you'll get for Week One, but if you look at the box scores, there's signs there—some good and some that may scare you if you're a fan of that team.
No. 10: The Saints Are As Explosive As Ever
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Not really a shock given the success of New Orleans' offense the past few years, but even in the preseason the Saints showed that quick-strike ability that has been the heart of their team under Sean Payton.
In a span of six minutes, the Saints scored two touchdowns—the first on a nine-yard Reggie Bush run and the second on a run by Drew Brees from a yard out.
That was the end of Brees' night and he had already proved what he needed to: There are no signs of a Super Bowl hangover as far as New Orleans' offense is concerned.
No. 9: Dennis Dixon Will Be Solid Replacing Big Ben
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Dennis Dixon flashed the talent that made him such an explosive player at Oregon. Dixon went 7-for-8 for 82 yards and ran five times for 27 yards.
While Dixon has replaced Ben Roethlisberger before, he'll have to do it for at least four games this time around—and he looks to be more than up to speed with the offense and a player the Steelers can use instead of trying to hide on Sundays.
No. 8: Mark Sanchez Is Still Shaky Under Center
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After a breakout postseason last year, Jets fans are expecting big things from the second year man out of USC. Things looked to be on track after a very good preseason debut, however, Sanchez had a rough outing this weekend.
Sanchez went 5-for-10 for 12 yards with an interception. While things should be taken with a grain of salt seeing it is the preseason, I have a feeling that we'll see these types of back-to-back weeks with Sanchez this year.
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No. 7: Aaron Rodgers Is Only Getting Better
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It's the start of year three of the Aaron Rodgers Era, and it's poised to be another great one. Rodgers lit up the stat sheet this weekend just like he did last year.
Rodgers went 8-for-11 for 116 yards and two touchdowns against Seattle. With another year under his belt, the former Cal standout has established himself as a force in the NFL and is becoming an elite quarterback.
No. 6: Kevin Kolb Has a Solid Grip on The Eagles' Offense
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In his second game as the Eagles' starter, Kevin Kolb showed why Andy Reid and company shipped Donovan McNabb to Washington. Kolb went 11-for-17 for 126 yards, but went without a touchdown.
While it remains to be seen if Philadelphia made the smart move dumping the best quarterback in franchise history, there's no doubting that Kolb has the talent to help the Eagles win ball games this fall.
No. 5: It's Going To Be a Rough Transition For Sam Bradford
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Sam Bradford got his second taste of the NFL and for the second straight week it was a bitter one. Bradford went 6-for-14 for 24 yards against Cleveland and it's evident that the former Oklahoma quarterback will not have the same success that Joe Flacco and Mark Sanchez saw in their rookie seasons.
The Rams are a terrible team that have no targets for their franchise quarterback to throw to unless you count Steven Jackson out of the backfield. It's going to be a long year in St. Louis yet again.
No. 4: Matt Stafford Is Set to Turn Heads in 2010
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Now I'm not saying Stafford is going to lead the Lions to the playoffs or anything, but I think that we're going to see him do great things this year.
He's already won his teammates over through his heroics with a separated shoulder last season and I think he's going to show why he was taken first overall last year.
While he's going to make plenty of mistakes—based mostly on his inexperience and having to throw the ball a ton in Detroit, Stafford is going to make plays and be more efficient this year, much like his 13-for-18, 130 yards and a touchdown performance this weekend.
No. 3: Joe Flacco Will Be Dangerous This Year
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3,613 yards, 21 touchdowns. Those were Joe Flacco's stats before Anquan Boldin joined the Baltimore Ravens. The All Pro wideout's addition is only going to make the young quarterback and the Ravens' offense more potent.
Flacco went an unspectacular 9-for-16 for 72 yards a week after going 8-for-10 for 120 yards and a touchdown. Performances like that are expected for a third-year quarterback but I'd look for more big games from Flacco and the Baltimore offense.
No. 2: There Is No Answer to The QB Quandary in Carolina
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Between Matt Moore and Jimmy Clausen, the pair went 15-for-39 for 93 yards and two interceptions. Good thing the Panthers have two great running backs in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart because they're going to need them this year.
I don't think Moore is the answer under center and I'm not sold on Clausen either. Only time will tell, but I think we'll find out long after John Fox is gone in Carolina.
No. 1: The Jets Still Have a Formidable Defense Without Revis
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The cause of the quarterback woes in Carolina this weekend was the New York Jets. Without stud cornerback Darrelle Revis, the Jets allowed just three points in a 9-3 win.
Rex Ryan will have this defense running on all cylinders with or without Revis. They're big, they're mean and they're nasty and will be a nightmare for any offense they come across.
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